Rajen Prasad

Prasad was born in Suva, Fiji in 1947 and is of Indo-Fijian descent.{{cite web |date=1 January 2001 |title=Interview with Rajen Prasad |url=https://natlib.govt.nz/records/35853485 |access-date=2 April 2025 |website=Interview with Rajen Prasad}}{{cite web |author=Back Benches |author-link=Back Benches |date=29 April 2009 |title=Back Benches–episode 13 |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/back-benches/2009-episode-13-video-2686642 |accessdate=22 June 2009 |publisher=TVNZ |language= |format=video |quote=}} His paternal grandparents were migrated from India to Fiji as indentured laborers where they became tobacco farmers. His father was a transport operator. The eleventh of fourteen children, he grew up trilingual speaking English, Hindi and Fijian.{{cite web |author=Grigg |first=Joanna |date=1 June 1998 |title=More Than a Firefighter |url=https://forachange.co.uk/browse/1576.html |access-date=2 April 2025 |website=For A Change}}{{Cite web |date=9 December 2008 |title=Maiden Statements |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/49HansD_20081211_00000835/maiden-statements |access-date=3 April 2025 |website=New Zealand Parliament}}

Prasad moved to Auckland, New Zealand as a teenager, recalling his arrival date of 21 April 1964 in his parliamentary maiden speech. New Zealand was not particularly multicultural then, and Prasad said that he and his family were affected by racism and discrimination, like not being able to find rental accommodation.{{Cite news |last=Fogarty |first=Chris |date=11 February 1996 |title=New conciliator wants to emphasise the positive |work=The Sunday Star-Times |pages=A6}}{{Cite news |date=31 December 2002 |title=Family 'chuffed' with Prasad's award |work=The Dominion Post |pages=A4}} As a young man, he briefly went by the name "Harry," believing that his first name was too difficult for New Zealanders to pronounce, before reverting.{{cite news |last=Eriksen |first=Alanah |date=17 September 2012 |title=Name changes anger MP |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/small-business/name-changes-anger-mp/DJQN3FOJG2XA7Q2VQG63RIXA6M/ |access-date=3 April 2025 |website=The New Zealand Herald }}

He was taught by the Marist Brothers in Fiji{{Cite web |last=Prasad |first=Rajen |date=20 October 2010 |title=Christ’s College (Canterbury) Amendment Bill — In Committee, Procedure, Third Reading |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/49HansS_20101020_00001096/prasad-rajen-christ-s-college-canterbury-amendment}} and completed secondary education in New Zealand at Seddon Memorial High School (now Western Springs College). He studied education and anthropology at the University of Auckland and trained as a social worker at Victoria University of Wellington. In 1979 he was appointed to a post at Massey University, and completed his PhD on foster care worker training in 1986.{{cite thesis |last=Prasad |first=Rajen |year=1986 |type=Doctoral thesis |title=Transitions in foster care : the development of training programmes for foster care workers |publisher=Massey Research Online, Massey University |hdl=10179/3582}}

Prasad and his wife Prem, a primary school teacher, have two children.

Prasad was a social worker before becoming a Massey University associate professor and director of the social work and social policy programme. He led the university's Albany campus during its establishment in 1993.{{cite web |last=Trevett |first=Claire |date=19 January 2009 |title=New Voices: Rahui Katene, Michael Woodhouse, Rajen Prasad |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/inew-voicesi-rahui-katene-michael-woodhouse-rajen-prasad/LOJTSJL5R2RDILCDIKYR7P7J3Y/ |access-date=2 April 2025 |website=The New Zealand Herald }}{{cite web |date=1 March 2001 |title=Race relations chief roasts Govt apathy |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/race-relations-chief-roasts-govt-apathy/3X5OVQCMPE77LF44SW3BORKG6U/ |access-date=2 April 2025 |website=The New Zealand Herald }}

He was Race Relations Conciliator between 1996 and 2001.{{cite web |date=23 June 2004 |title=Families Commissioners appointed |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/families-commissioners-appointed |access-date=2 April 2025 |website=The Beehive}} Prasad came into the race relations office at a period of heightened tension; his predecessor John Clarke had relocated the office from Auckland to Wellington and a parliamentary select committee found that public perception was Clarke had given priority to Māori complaints over other ethnic groups.{{Cite news |last=Newth |first=Kim |date=11 February 1996 |title=We're all responsible says race conciliator |work=Sunday News |pages=9}} Prasad's view was that, although he "strongly supported" the Treaty of Waitangi, the Human Rights Act did not tell the race relations office to prioritise Māori; the Māori affairs minister Tau Henare criticised his approach (promoting multiculturalism) as "undermining" to Māori.{{Cite news |last=Ventner |first=Nick |date=22 June 1999 |title=Race office attacked by Henare |work=The Press |pages=3}}{{Cite news |last=Keene |first=Howard |date=29 June 1999 |title=Office for all ethnic groups, says Prasad |work=The Press |pages=1}}

Midway through his term, Prasad reported to Parliament that the number of complaints to his office had risen and that he was concerned about talkback radio hosts, cartoons, and letters to the editor that took "a racial slant" or encouraged the ridiculing of other cultures "under the guise of freedom of speech."{{Cite news |date=20 March 1998 |title=Race relations causing concern - Prasad |work=The Dominion |pages=2}} He further reported that increasing numbers of Pacific Island and Asian migrants coincided with the rising visibility of fascist groups.{{Cite news |last=Bain |first=Helen |date=16 December 1998 |title=Fascist groups now more visible, says race watchdog |work=The Dominion |pages=2}} However, visiting counterparts from the United Kingdom and Australia said New Zealand was ahead of other nations on race relations.{{Cite news |last=Crean |first=Mike |date=6 May 1999 |title=NZ race relations 'ahead of UK' |work=The Press |pages=7}}{{Cite news |last=Samson |first=Alan |date=8 May 1999 |title=Kiwi race relations could be `blueprint' |work=The Dominion |pages=2}}

In 2000, Prasad issued a special report into police racism and historic racism toward Māori in Taranaki, following a shooting.{{cite news |date=20 September 2000 |title=Taranaki race rift healing 'urgent' |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/taranaki-race-rift-healing-urgent/HBGPOYSXFVPOHKWRJ2JTO7CSJM/ |access-date=5 April 2025 |website=The New Zealand Herald }} His criticism of health legislation proposed by the new Labour-led government for appearing to give "special treatment" to Māori led to an apparent rift between him and the government.{{Cite news |last=Alley |first=Oskar |date=1 November 2000 |title=Race Relations Office could be in for the axe |work=The Dominion |pages=2}} When his five-year term ended, Prasad said he was disappointed in the level of government funding and support his office had received.{{cite news |date=1 March 2001 |title=Race relations chief roasts Govt apathy |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/race-relations-chief-roasts-govt-apathy/3X5OVQCMPE77LF44SW3BORKG6U/ |access-date=3 April 2025 |website=The New Zealand Herald }} In May 2001, government minister Margaret Wilson confirmed previously reported plans to consolidate the race relations office with the Human Rights Commission, which were implemented later that year.{{cite news |date=30 October 2000 |title=Axe race relations office, Govt told |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/axe-race-relations-office-govt-told/OTPVROJF3PVTMUV2CHR5XOMEYE/ |access-date=3 April 2025 |website=The New Zealand Herald }}{{cite web |date=31 May 2001 |title=Decisions point the way to a new Human Rights law later this year |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/node/10773 |access-date=3 April 2025 |website=The Beehive}}{{cite web |date=19 September 2007 |title=Human Rights Amendment Act 2001 |url=https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2001/0096/1.0/DLM121285.html |access-date=3 April 2025 |website=New Zealand Legislation |ref={{sfnref| New Zealand Legislation |2007}}}} Prasad returned to academia at Massey University. He was also appointed a member of the Residence Appeal Authority, which made decisions about appeals brought under the Immigration Act.

In June 2004 Prasad was appointed as the first Chief Commissioner of the newly established Families Commission, serving until 2008. He accompanied the prime minister, Helen Clark, on a diplomatic visit to India in 2004.{{cite news |date=17 October 2004 |title=Helen Clark arrives in India |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/helen-clark-arrives-in-india/OJ4IVRSOPW2NG6CCU265Q53XSI/ |access-date=3 April 2025 |website=The New Zealand Herald }} Prasad was criticised for approving a confidential payout to the outgoing chief executive of the Families Commission without informing the government, for which he apologised.{{cite news |last=Young |first=Audrey |date=4 May 2005 |title=Families Commissioner loses pay rise |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/families-commissioner-loses-pay-rise/5IKK43WSCWOMB7YYTRGOG7Q57I/ |access-date=3 April 2025 |website=The New Zealand Herald }} As the chief commissioner, he publicly supported the repeal of the legal defence allowing parents to use reasonable force to punish their children and for increased paid parental leave.{{cite news |last=Thomson |first=Ainsley |date=14 June 2005 |title=Smacking bill gets Government nod |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/smacking-bill-gets-government-nod/V7OBBWXTJ6NOMTISORI5CJG7QI/ |access-date=3 April 2025 |website=The New Zealand Herald }}{{cite news |date=28 August 2007 |title=Call for 13 months paid parental leave |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/call-for-13-months-paid-parental-leave/RSJZ6GGM6V77CLOYJMAEKW42PU/ |access-date=3 April 2025 |website=The New Zealand Herald }} At his retirement from the Commission in 2008, he was rumoured to be in line to stand for Labour in that year's election.{{cite web |last=Collins |first=Simon |date=22 August 2008 |title=Summit with something for all |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/summit-with-something-for-all/343DFMHFJWTJHM6RUBKH5LSXZ4/ |access-date=3 April 2025 |website=The New Zealand Herald }}

He joined the board of the Bank of Baroda's New Zealand office in 2008{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/2822957/A-new-bank-for-New-Zealand |title=Bank of Baroda to open in NZ |author=McBeth, Paul |date=1 September 2009 |agency=Business Wire |work=Stuff.co.nz |accessdate=4 November 2011}} and became the board chair in 2013.{{cite web |date=14 May 2013 |title=Rajen Prasad appointed Bank of Baroda Chairman |url=https://indiannewslink.co.nz/rajen-prasad-appointed-bank-of-baroda-chairman/ |access-date=2 April 2025 |website=indiannewslink.co.nz}} He remained a director of the Bank until 2016.{{Cite web|date=9 August 2021|title=Companies Register|url=https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/2135104/directors|access-date=14 September 2021|website=New Zealand Companies Office}}

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|end = 2011

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|party = New Zealand Labour Party

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{{NZ parlbox

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|start = {{NZ election link year|2011}}

|end = 2014

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{{End}}

Prasad was a list-only candidate for the Labour Party on two occasions. At the 2008 election Prasad was ranked 12, the highest-placed new candidate, and was subsequently elected to Parliament. In the 2011 election, Prasad was re-elected, albeit at a lower list placing of 20. He had sought the party's nomination to stand in Te Atatu in 2011,{{cite news |date=8 October 2010 |title=Nine nominations for Carter's seat |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/nine-nominations-for-carters-seat/K2F2WIHOBNBVW2NN4R7RJHGKRA/ |access-date=3 April 2025 |website=The New Zealand Herald }} but was unsuccessful.

Prasad sat on the social services committee throughout his two terms as a member of Parliament. He was Labour's spokesperson on the voluntary and community sector (2008–11), ethnic affairs (2011–13) and immigration (2013–14) and an associate spokesperson on ethnic affairs (2008–11, 2013–14) and social development (2008–14).{{citation |title=Prasad, Rajen - New Zealand Parliament |page= |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/former-members-of-parliament/prasad-rajen/ |access-date=2 April 2025}} He was believed to have supported David Cunliffe in the 2011 and 2013 Labour Party leadership contests.{{cite news |last=Trevett |first=Claire |date=19 November 2012 |title=Cunliffe down but not out |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/cunliffe-down-but-not-out/2LGJ2SGPGLEADSHV7SI5M5YCAY/ |access-date=5 April 2025 |website=The New Zealand Herald }}{{cite web |date=16 September 2013 |title=Cunliffe wins Labour leadership |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9166765/Cunliffe-wins-Labour-leadership |access-date=5 April 2025 |website=Stuff }}

As a member of Parliament, he argued against the National Government's reforms to the Families Commission, which he described as cynical,{{Cite web |last=Prasad |first=Rajen |date=9 April 2013 |title=Families Commission Amendment Bill (second reading) |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/50HansS_20130409_00001509/prasad-rajen-families-commission-amendment-bill-second/ |access-date=4 April 2025 |website=New Zealand Parliament}} voted against appointing an anti-abortion doctor to the Abortion Supervisory Committee,{{cite news |last=Cheng |first=Derek |date=7 April 2011 |title=Rare personal vote on abortion post |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/rare-personal-vote-on-abortion-post/5DCYSJXLYBFO6HIY5MA4JS57WM/ |access-date=3 April 2025 |website=The New Zealand Herald }} voted in favour of legalising same-sex marriage,{{cite news |date=17 April 2013 |title=Gay marriage bill: How MPs voted |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/gay-marriage-bill-how-mps-voted/7UP4PTXRKVS2J3LCKBS5H37XQA/ |access-date=3 April 2025 |website=The New Zealand Herald }} and said he would not vote in the 2009 New Zealand child discipline referendum.{{cite news |last=Trevett |first=Claire |date=31 July 2009 |title=Referendum waste of time, say MPs |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/referendum-waste-of-time-say-mps/5KDE4CXPG6D47CT46GBI5VTZAI/ |access-date=3 April 2025 |website=The New Zealand Herald }} He was also an advocate for ethnic communities and immigrants. However, Prasad was seen by media as being ineffectual and unlikely to be appointed to a ministerial office if Labour were to win an election. For each of the three years from 2011 to 2013, political newsletter Trans Tasman rated his performance 1/10;{{cite web |title=Roll Call 2011 |url=https://publications.themainreport.nz/transtasman/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/RollCall2011.pdf |access-date=5 April 2025 |publisher=Trans Tasman}}{{cite web |title=Roll Call 2012 |url=https://publications.themainreport.nz/transtasman/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Roll-Call-2012.pdf |access-date=5 April 2025 |publisher=Trans Tasman}}{{cite web |title=Roll Call 2013 |url=https://publications.themainreport.nz/transtasman/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Trans-Tasman-Roll-Call-2013.pdf |access-date=5 April 2025 |publisher=Trans Tasman}} a November 2013 Dominion Post editorial suggested that he be told not to run again;{{cite web |date=11 November 2013 |title=Editorial: Cunliffe needs to have cleanout too |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/editorials/9383882/Editorial-Cunliffe-needs-to-have-clean-out-too |access-date=3 April 2025 |website=Stuff }} The New Zealand Herald reported he only issued a single press release that year.{{cite web |date=13 February 2014 |title=The Insider: Flights of fancy |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/the-insider-flights-of-fancy/X476V7VFOKXRWDEGE2W6DSH6OE/ |access-date=3 April 2025 |website=The New Zealand Herald }}

In May 2014, Prasad announced his plans to retire ahead of the general election in September 2014.{{cite web |title=Indian-origin MP in New Zealand, Rajen Prasad to retire in September |url= http://news.biharprabha.com/2014/05/indian-origin-mp-in-new-zealand-rajen-prasad-to-retire-in-september/ |agency=Indo-Asian News Service|publisher=news.biharprabha.com |accessdate=2 May 2014}}{{cite news |title=MP Rajen Prasad retires |url= http://www.theglobalindian.co.nz/mp-rajen-prasad-retires/ |accessdate=19 September 2014 |work=The Global Indian |date=2 May 2014}} In his valedictory speech, given on 24 July, he commented on the limitations on the effectiveness and perceptions of ethnic MPs in the "largely monocultural" New Zealand Parliament:{{Cite web |last=Prasad |first=Rajen |date=24 July 2014 |title=Valedictory statement |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/50HansS_20140724_00001122/prasad-rajen-valedictory-statements |website=New Zealand Parliament}}

{{Blockquote|text=It is noteworthy that all the ethnic MPs in this Parliament are backbenchers with fairly low conventional profiles. Those who report on us and judge us are never present where we do the bulk of our work, and all they rely on is what is in the mainstream media or this House. I say this not with any acrimony towards those who make these judgments, but more with a sense of sadness.}}

After leaving Parliament, Prasad was appointed a Commonwealth Envoy with special responsibility for Lesotho working directly in Africa to help develop better political practices.{{cite web |title= Special Envoy for Lesotho Releases Guidelines on Coalition Formation|url= http://thecommonwealth.org/media/news/commonwealth-special-envoy-lesotho-releases-guidelines-coalition-formation | publisher= Commonwealth| accessdate= 31 January 2015}}{{cite web |title= Commonwealth warns coalition government| url=http://lestimes.com/decisive-moment-for-lesotho/ | work= Lesotho Times| date=25 July 2014 | accessdate= 31 January 2015}}

In the 2003 New Year Honours, Prasad was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for public services.{{cite web |date=31 December 2002 |title=New Year honours list 2003 |url=https://dpmc.govt.nz/publications/new-year-honours-list-2003 |accessdate=26 July 2019 |publisher=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet}}

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Prasad, Rajen}}

Category:21st-century New Zealand politicians

Category:Companions of the Queen's Service Order

Category:Fijian emigrants to New Zealand

Category:Living people

Category:Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives

Category:New Zealand Labour Party MPs

Category:New Zealand list MPs

Category:New Zealand people of Indo-Fijian descent

Category:Politicians from Suva

Category:Massey University alumni

Category:Victoria University of Wellington alumni

Category:University of Auckland alumni

Category:Candidates in the 2011 New Zealand general election

Category:1947 births