The Queen's Service Medal was presented to Hansa Naran JP by the Governor General of New Zealand, Hon Dame Cindy Kiro. on 9 May 2024. Mrs Naran has been treasurer of the Manukau Branch of the National Council of Women NZ since 2015.
Mrs Naran was commended for services to the Indian community. She used her professional skills as an accountant to contribute to her community organisations, including the Manukau Indian Association Inc. and the New Zealand Indian Central Association (NZICA). She organised an 125th Women’s Suffrage anniversary event, with more than 100 people in attendance at Waiau Pa. She has written many articles for event programmes including ‘Self-Empowerment’, ‘Grieving – A Myth or a Reality?’ and ‘How to age gracefully’. She helped manage more than $500,000 in funds raised for India during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has been a Justice of the Peace since 2014, a Victim Support volunteer and a Kiwani. Mrs Naran has donated incubators, children’s stationary, and clothing to children’s missionaries and traditional sarees for women who cannot afford bridal clothing in India.
Mrs Naran responded with the following statement:
"I am pleasantly surprised by this recognition. It is humbling to receive an award for doing something that gives one a deep sense of satisfaction. For almost four decades, I have been privileged to work in an environment that involves giving back to society. It has become a way of life rather than a means to an end. I hope this award encourages many other women, especially those from migrant backgrounds, to step out of their comfort zones and utilise their talents and strengths to their fullest potential.
"Aotearoa New Zealand gives women from all walks of life and all ethnicities opportunities to grow, thrive and give back. As a woman of Indian descent, I have been able to ‘shatter the glass ceiling’ and succeed in academic studies that led to international corporate financial responsibilities. My reward for endeavour would be to see other women pick up the challenge and aspire to succeed in whatever field they desire, yet never forgetting from whence they came … believe and you can do it!
"This award is not just a recognition of me as an individual who started life in New Zealand as a housewife around fifty years ago, but also an endorsement of the valuable services provided by the organisations that I have voluntarily contributed to, such as the NZ Indian Central Association, Indian Association Manukau (NZ), National Council of Women (Manukau), Business & Professional Women (Franklin), Look Good Feel Better, and Victim Support. Organisations such as these make up part of the ‘backbone of communities’ and become a responsive platform for unity, justice, equity, equality, inspiration, cultural appreciation, success and intellectual networking.
"These organisations have contributed significantly to my own journey from settling into the New Zealand way of life and planting the seed of desire to give back to society. I am indebted to have been accepted, valued, respected and even humbly acknowledge ‘encouraged’ to undertake leadership responsibilities even whilst taking care of my family and being the sole breadwinner. I have huge respect for the many peers who have walked alongside me over the years and know they are within the mana of this award, and I thank each one of them for the learnings, guidance, support and dignity bestowed upon me throughout my motherhood, voluntary sector and career.
"Thank you."
To read more articles from The Circular (July-August 2024) issue 648, click on the tag below.