With over 15 years of dedicated volunteer service, I have passionately contributed to various organizations and groups, including the Multicultural Association, Hastings Sikh Temple, Community Organisation Grant Scheme(COGS), Napier Creative Arts Funding Committee, Hawke's Bay Civil Defence Volunteer, Hawke's Bay Settlement Forum, and as a Justice of the Peace. Currently, I am the Treasurer of the Raureka School Board, a member of the Hawke's Bay Community Organisation Grant Scheme (COGS), Chair of Akaal Riders NZ, the Singh Sports and Cultural Club, and part of the HDC Multicultural Advisory Group. As President of the Multicultural Association, I led the COVID-19 welfare response for ethnic communities and later, as a volunteer, played a significant role in the cyclone response by delivering hundreds of hot meals.
I have been raising funds for the Cancer Society for the past 11 years and was an ANZ Bank Daffodil Day Ambassador in 2024, a cause very close to my heart as a cancer survivor myself. As a representative of Vapefree Kids NZ, I am highly involved in protecting our youth from the dangers of vaping. Additionally, I organize blood donation drives for ethnic communities in Hawke's Bay twice a year and Punjabi Language Week events in Hastings and Napier. Helping people brings me immense happiness and fuels my passion for volunteering.
I am honoured to have received the COVID-19 Prime Minister's Recognition Award, the Hastings District Council Civic Award, and the Kiwibank Local Hero Award as part of the New Zealander of the Year honours. As the Māori proverb says, "Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini" – My success is not mine alone, but it is the strength of many.
Professionally I work for ANZ Bank as a Business Lending Specialist, with over 12 year’s experience in the financial industry in NZ since moving here in 2010. I live in Hastings with my wife and two children, along with our dog and cat.
Joining VHB as a board member is a great honour, and I look forward to contributing to the vision of Valued, Supported, and Connected Volunteers.