WELLINGTON, New Zealand—Two Sikh-Kiwis have been elected to New Zealand’s parliament in the just-concluded general elections.
Kanwaljeet Singh Bakshi and Dr Parmjeet Kaur Parmar have successfully made it to the 121-member parliament.
Kanwaljeet Singh and Parmjeet Kaur fought the elections as the candidates of the ruling National Party, and are now part of the governing party.
While Kanwaljeet is all set to begin his third term in the parliament, Parmjeet is ready to make her debut.
Kanwaljeet is both New Zealand’s first South Asian and the first Sikh member of parliament. He was first elected in the 2008 elections.
The National Party, led by Prime Minister John Key, won 61 seats as compared to 59 in last elections, claiming 48.06 per cent of the total votes cast from 47.31 per cent in 2011.
Kanwaljeet immigrated to New Zealand in 2001 with his family.
Parmjeet, who lives in Auckland, immigrated in 1995. She holds a PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Auckland, as well as Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Biochemistry from the University of Pune.
Congratulations to Both [SIKHS]for becoming members of the New Zealands Parliament.
Lets HOPE that Sikhs in Canada & British follow this as well.