Asian New Zealanders celebrated in King’s Birthday Honours List

Archna Tandon, an Indian New Zealander, and Palmerston North businessman Rodney Wong were named Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours List for their services to multicultural communities. Tandon has spent three decades promoting social cohesion, women’s empowerment, and migrant resettlement through roles in organizations like the Christchurch Migrant Centre and the Canterbury Indian Women Group Trust. She also founded initiatives such as the Indian Women’s Expo and Selwyn Diwali, while chairing the Shakti Ethnic Women’s Support Group from 2013 to 2017. Currently a senior corrections officer, she emphasized the need for targeted government funding and ethnic advisory panels to ensure inclusive policymaking. Rodney Wong, co-founder of the Wildbase Recovery Centre, was recognized for his work in wildlife rehabilitation and leadership in food research, including chairing the New Zealand Institute for Crop and Food Research. He also promoted Chinese New Zealand heritage as chair of the Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust, noting the diversity within the community and advocating for systemic inclusivity. Wong criticized underrepresentation in institutions like university councils, where Asians make up half the student population but hold few leadership roles. Five other Asian New Zealanders were named Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Dr. Luk Chin, an 83-year-old anaesthetist and harness racing trainer, received the honor for over 50 years of service in healthcare, including establishing Waikato Hospital’s intensive care unit and pain service. He remains active in pain management and racing, calling attention to outdated hospital infrastructure. The honors reflect the contributions of Asian communities in healthcare, wildlife conservation, and social advocacy, underscoring their integral role in New Zealand’s multicultural fabric.