KUALA LUMPUR – When she moved to New Zealand five years ago to help with rebuilding efforts after the Christchurch quake, Johorean Gayathri Paranisamy did not envision she would eventually head the United Nations Association New Zealand (UNANZ).
Elected UNANZ president on January 1, Gayathri plans to collaborate with private organisations and work on promoting the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (SDGs).
As the first Malaysian to ever hold the post, she told The Vibes the move has put her in a “great position” and she would like to sustain the organisation as it is while adding her own personal touch.
“My plan is to collaborate with private organisations and work on promoting the SDGs 2030. I would also like to work with the younger generation, and work on climate change and equality.
“Last but not the least, I would like to work with the indigenous Maori people in promoting SDGs and addressing UN-related indigenous issues.”
On other improvements that she can bring to New Zealand, seeing the country has been hailed as one of the most transparent and corruption-free in the world, she said that there are still areas where it can do better.
She said efforts will be published in a report titled “Time to Upgrade Our Global Institutions: A fresh vision from Aotearoa New Zealand” co-sponsored by UNANZ with the New Zealand Centre for Global Studies.
The 30-something who hails from Pontian, Johor, however, admits that her association will face challenges in addressing issues such as poverty and housing to climate change, the environment and sustainability.
“My job will be to encourage, facilitate and support the organisation to achieve these aspirational goals.”
5 years in NZ but Malaysian through and through
Gayathri, who is a quantity surveyor by profession, has been in the Land of the Long White Cloud for five years and involved with UNANZ for almost three.
She moved to New Zealand to work for Earthquake Rebuild in Christchurch while maintaining a day job as a cost manager for Beca Ltd in Wellington.
A member of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), she has also won a “Highly Commended Award” for Rising Star category in 2019.
Gayathri said she was first approached by her mentor and predecessor Peter Nichols to take over the position.
She said at the start, she felt she was not experienced enough to helm the organisation.
However, Nichols’ reassurance finally won her over, especially after he mentored her for two years.
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Prior to her current role, she was the association’s vice-president from 2018 until she was elected president in its annual general meeting last year. The tenure is expected to last for two to four years.
“I was supported by Peter and Joy, (Joy Dunsheath is Nichols’ predecessor and New Zealand’s representative on the World Federation of UN Associations); they both had good faith in my ability and that I bring (with me) gender and ethnic diversity.
“I was born and bred in Malaysia. I was in Malaysia during the most pivotal years of my life. Malaysia has shaped me into what I am today.
“Since we are promoting the engagement and understanding of the UN, an international entity, being a Malaysian and president of a civil society entity in New Zealand reflects who we are as a people, our ability, our values, and culture.”
She added that she has always been “comfortable and proud to be in her own skin”.
Sounding a lot like a cool yet devoted aunt, Gayathri said the first person she called to share news of her post was her nephew.
“The first person that I shared the news with was with my nephew, Arvin who is studying law in Universiti Malaya. We both have a great nephew-aunt relationship and we often discuss many issues, including worldly ones.
“We have a lot in common. He was delighted that I became UNANZ president and the rest of my family, especially my parents were very excited. I got all the support I needed from my family.” – The Vibes, March 7, 2021
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