Kiwi-Indian Chandan Deep Kaur is all set to embark on her professional journey with New Zealand Police in the policy unit based out of Wellington.
Born and raised in South Auckland, the 24-year-old comes from a family of migrants. Her father arrived in New Zealand in the late 1980s, while her mother followed in the mid-1990s.
Kaur told The Indian Weekender she faced her fair share of challenges. “One significant hurdle was the language barrier. At home, my siblings and I were encouraged to speak Punjabi by our parents, which made it difficult for me to learn English during my first year of primary school.
“However, this challenge became an opportunity as I became bilingual, fluent in Punjabi and English, which has proven valuable in serving and supporting my community.”
Kaur pursued her undergraduate and postgraduate studies in politics and international relations. Talking about her foray into policing, she says it began like any other job application process, and she went through the rigorous selection process, which included interviews, reference checks and checking her academic achievements.
As she prepares to take on her new role, she acknowledges that moving from Auckland to Wellington will be a significant change.
“Applying the knowledge gained from university to real-life scenarios will be crucial in my role and adjusting to the new role. However, I am eager to learn and adapt to new environments and embrace the challenges ahead,” she points out.
Having grown up with a strong sense of community and a desire to help others, she finds her new role deeply inspiring.
The Flat Bush resident says, “From a young age, my parents have instilled in me the importance of selfless service, which I experienced firsthand through my involvement in the Takanini gurudwara, where I regularly perform seva.
“The experience of doing seva and helping has given me the aspiration to work as a public servant. I want to help change the community and bring positive change.
“That would make my loved ones and those I have helped feel proud of me. This position is inspirational, especially being born to migrant parents who have helped me stay deeply rooted in my roots.”
She now plans to immerse herself in the new role, absorbing as much knowledge and experience as possible. She envisions applying research frameworks to real-life scenarios, creating lasting and positive impacts for future generations.
Addressing fellow migrants in New Zealand who aspire to achieve great things, she advises them to remain true to themselves and to be honest and transparent in their endeavours.
Kaur, who maintains a strong connection with her family's heritage and the Sikh culture, says, “My connection to Punjab, India, is something I am proud of, as my parents have grown up in Punjab, Nawanshahr in a village close by.
“That has encouraged me to go back to Punjab and learn about Sikh history and learn about Sikhism and what it means to be a Sikh. My connection to Punjab is something that my parents have encouraged and instilled in me.”
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