Priyanca Radhakrishnan is a political figure from New Zealand of Indian origin. The news on Priyanca Radhakrishnan reveals that in November 2020, she achieved the distinction of becoming the first person of Indian origin to be a Minister in New Zealand i
While talking about Priyanca Radhakrishnan it needs to be mentioned that she is presently having the positions of Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities, Minister for Youth, and Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment in New Zealand. She is from the New Zealand Labour Party.
If one were to ask what is the profession of Priyanca Radhakrishnan, it would be apt to say that she is a politician or a minister.
Early Years
The biography of Priyanca Radhakrishnan should mention of her Indian origin. Her father R Radhakrishnan is an IIT alumnus from Kerala’s Ernakulam district. Priyanca’s family’s roots are from Paravoor in Kerala.
Born in Chennai, she did her schooling in Singapore where she grew up in, and then moved to New Zealand for her higher education. She did earn her master’s degree in development studies from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. She has made New Zealand her home.
After her studies, Priyanca Radhakrishnan worked as a social worker among Auckland’s Indian community.
Priyanca in Politics
In 2006, Priyanca Radhakrishnan joined the New Zealand Labour Party. Priyanca was elected to the New Zealand parliament after the outcome of the 2017 general election in New Zealand. She served as a Member of Parliament from Auckland, during 2017-2020.
She was appointed as the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister for Ethnic Communities in 2019, following a cabinet reshuffle.
In the 2020 general elections of New Zealand, held on 17th October 2020, Priyanca defeated Denise Lee by 635 votes to become MP from Maungakiekie.
Being Minister
On 2nd November 2020, she was appointed as the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, the Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities, the Minister for Youth and Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment after the New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern inducted five new ministers into her executive following her party winning a comprehensive victory in the 2020 general election of New Zealand.
During her social and political journey, Priyanca has fought on behalf of people whose voices are often unheard and she strongly believes that everyone should have the opportunity to have a dignified life. This entails equitable access to affordable housing, quality education and decent, secure work. It also translates to the fact that everyone should feel safe, not only in their homes but also on the streets. Priyanca is also an ardent supporter of animal welfare.
FAQs
She was born in Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu state of India. The age of Priyanca Radhakrishnan is 42 years.
Her husband’s name is Ivan Richarson, and he is an IT professional. She lives with him in Auckland.
She is an India-born politician from New Zealand. She lives in Auckland, New Zealand.
She attained fame after becoming New Zealand’s first ever minister of Indian origin.
She did her education from Singapore and New Zealand.
