Kiwi-Indian procurement professional Ankit Bansal is excited after he was named National Party’s candidate from Palmerston North for the national elections in October.
The first-generation migrant from India moved to New Zealand 10 years ago and has lived in Palmerston North for five years.
“I am proud to earn the opportunity to campaign for a National government in Palmerston North - the city I call home - and am incredibly excited about the challenge. It’s always great to see our different communities represented in Parliament," says Bansal, who came to the country in 2013 for higher studies in Procurement and Supply at New Zealand Career College in Wellington.
The 34-year-old, who has also worked with Massey University, says his top priorities will be reducing the cost of living to help families get by, restoring law and order to keep the community safe, and making sure young people can succeed through education.
“My focus will be on being a strong voice for everyone in Palmerston North. People in Palmerston North are aspirational, and I'll always back policies that will help them get ahead,” he says.
Talking specifically about his plans for Kiwi-Indian in his electorate, he says, “Being a Kiwi-Indian, I completely understand that Kiwi-Indians' priorities are the same as every other Kiwi, and I'll be working hard on those issues, including strengthening our economy so we can reduce the cost of living and restoring people’s trust in law and order. I am all for our Kiwi-Indian community.”
Revealing his love for Palmy, Bansal says, "Palmerston North has been my home for the past five years. It is home to so many innovative, creative and hardworking people. I enjoy being a part of our community and getting to know people. I have a special connection with the city and will work relentlessly on delivering for people in Palmerston North. This is a Labour-held seat currently. I will be knocking on as many doors and meeting as many people as possible before October 14 (election day) to campaign for a National government, and that's my biggest challenge. But I am up to it.”
Palmerston North is a Labour stronghold, not having elected a National MP since 1978. It is an urban electorate centred on the city of Palmerston North. It extends from the Longburn-Rongotea Road in the southwest, through Westbrook, Cloverlea, and Milson, to Palmerston North Airport and Kelvin Grove in the north. Much of its eastern and southern boundaries are defined by the stretch of the Manawatu River, from Awapuni to the Palmerston North golf course at Terrace End.
Bansal advocated for split migrant families during the Covid-19 border closures, and that’s where his interest in active politics grew. He says, “From protesting in front of Parliament against the government's poor treatment of migrants, writing and presenting submissions in the Education and Workforce Select Committee and connecting migrants with some of the National Party MPs to get any help they can to be united again with their families during the border closures, I have done it all. During that time, I felt passionate about standing up for people and campaigning for what I believe in, like National's values of reward for hard work and personal responsibility.”
Bansal, who hails from Moga in Punjab, says he still has a strong connection to India as most of his family is still back in the homeland.
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