Recognition for Political Torchbearer

Mayor of Dunedin, Sukhi Turner, has been conferred the Indian government’s highest honour for non-resident civilians, the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award for the Indian Diaspora. She is the first New Zealander to receive the award, and one of just 24 recipients to date. Turner entered NZ politics in 1992, with her election to the Dunedin City Council. In 1995 she became the youngest and first woman Mayor of Dunedin, and has retained her post at the subsequent 3 elections. According to the Indian government’s website, “[Turner] is considered a torchbearer of the politics of change.” Turner herself was both  thrilled and humbled by the award: “I see this as recognition for all of the people I have worked with in NZ, especially those who have helped me further the cause of cultural diversity.”