Manish Pandey might be one of the most perfect role models for new migrants in Christchurch. Since he came to New Zealand in 2008, he has settled well with his family and integrated successfully with the various communities in this once foreign country that he now calls home. But more importantly, he has invested his time and energy to give back to the community through his active and continued efforts to make it a better place for migrants from every ethnicity.
He is a well-known face not just in his community but also in the broader communities.
Pandey moved to New Zealand in May 2008 from Rohtas district in Bihar, which is the most literate district in Bihar. He joined a Level 7 programme in Information and Communication Technology and qualified as a software professional.
For his first two years, his journey was typical of any other migrant who finishes his study, finds a job and moves on to other more personal goals of making money, raising family etc.
Pandey’s story would have also been the same but an event in 2010 changed the course of his life. On September 4, 2010 at 4:35pm local time, an earthquake rocked Canterbury damaging the property rented by Pandey. The house was cordoned off leaving him and his friends homeless. Pandey ended up spending a week with a complete stranger who invited Pandey and his friend to stay at his house for free.
It was this compassion and generosity of this stranger which touched Pandey deeply and made him appreciate the value and power of a close-knit community.
“The incident made me take the first step towards an active community life by joining Riccarton Community Patrol as Volunteer Patroller in November 2011 and later Christchurch Multicultural Council in January 2012,” Pandey recalls.
Since that first tryst with community work, Pandey has been the youngest ethnic JP in the entire South Island, contested for Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board, coordinates operations for Bihar Jharkhand Sabha Australia and NZ among other feats. He is also a White Ribbon Ambassador, raising awareness of men's violence towards women.
Pandey shares, “the various associations have made me appreciate the diverse values and multi-cultural Aotearoa.”
Pandey was actively involved in the Multicultural Strategy launch by Christchurch City Council, a first in NZ.
Having served Christchurch Multicultural Council as Secretory for the year 2016 and 2017, Pandey is current elected Vice President of the Council since last three terms.
The horrific terrorist attack on Christchurch mosques triggered Pandey to put his name forward as a candidate for Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board under The People’s Choice banner. His motivation was to the voice of people of Riccarton and work Social Inclusion & United Diversity in Riccarton as well as the whole of Christchurch.
In 2020, Pandey was recognised as Community Hero by Department of Prime Minister and Cabinets for his tireless work during New Zealand’s first lockdown. In association with Christchurch Multicultural Council and Bihar Jharkhand Sabha of AU & NZ, Pandey organised distribution of food and other essentials to the International students and other vulnerable migrants in wider community.
In 2021, Pandey received Community Service Award from Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board of Christchurch City Council which came as a big acknowledgement for his contributions to the community over the last decade.
Christchurch City Council has also roped him this year to promote the Community awards and inspire other migrants to follow his path of self-less service.
“My father always said ‘the essence of life is to do good for communities and serve others’ so I think serving the community is in my blood. I feel satisfied whenever I do something for our community. It’s very rewarding,” Pandey maintains.
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