Priyanca Radhakrishnan becomes first Indian to be appointed minister in Jacinda Ardern-led NZ govt

Wellington: Keralite Priyanca Radhakrishnan has become the first Indian to be appointed as a minister in the New Zealand government led by Jacinda Ardern.

Elected as MP for the second time representing Labour Party, Priyanca has been given charge as the Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities, Minister for Youth, Minister of Community and Voluntary Sector and Associated Minister for Social Development and Employment.

Hailing from Paravoor in Ernakulam, Priyanca is the daughter of Raman Radhakrishnan and Usha. She is married to Richardson, an IT employee from Christ Church.

Priyanca has been active in Labour Party for the last 14 years. She completed her education from Singapore and New Zealand. She holds a masters degree in Development Studies from Victoria University. She is settled in Aotearoa of New Zealand.

Earlier, Priyanca had served as the private Secretary to the then Minister for Ethnic Communities, Jenny Salesa and later as the Assistant Speaker in the second term of the government led by Labour Party. She had also acted as policy advisor to former MP Phil Goff.

Priyanca’s father Radhakrishnan is running an engineering college in Chennai. He came to know the news about his daughter’s new position through social media. Priyanca visited Chennai last year when her mother, Usha, passed away. 

Although Priyanca has not been to Paravoor, she visited Chelamattam Sreekrishnaswamy temple to perform the last rites of her mother. 

Priyanca was born in Chennai and moved to Singapore with her family immediately after that. After completing her studies in Singapore, she worked for a year. In 2004, she moved to New Zealand for her higher studies. Within 2 years, she joined the Labour Party and started her political career.

Radhakrishnan admits that initially, he tried to dissuade her from politics. However, Priyanca managed to convince him by explaining the nature of politics in New Zealand. 

Paravoor native Radhakrishnan reached Chennai after his marriage. His wife, Usha’s family was settled in Chennai.

Priyanca stayed in Chennai for a few days last year when she visited following the death of her mother. She visits her father in Chennai every year and calls him every week. She had indicated the news of her new role when she called him the last time.