The Indian Weekender | 8 December 2023

Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 08 December, 2023
NEW ZEALAND 3
The mayor who defied
odds: Gurunathan
Krishnasamy
NAVDEEP KAUR MARWAH
Gurunathan Krishnasamy, the courageous mayor
of Kapiti, has sparked more than a few storms
in his time, but none quite as electrifying as his
induction into Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame for 2023.
For Gurunathan, it’s not just a trophy on the shelf.
“The award frames a sense of personal satisfaction.
This award has had a deeper impact because it comes
from my own cultural community.
“I’m humbled that my journey has made a small
contribution to the collective success of the Kiwi-
Indian community navigating a future in Aotearoa New
Zealand,” he says, a glint of pride in his eyes.
It’s a celebration of overcoming discrimination and a
testament to the power of resilience.
In a candid interview, Gurunathan doesn’t hold back.
“This award isn’t just about me; it’s about inspiring
others. These are testimonials to impassion, encourage
and inspire others to blaze their own trails.
“Given the rise of India on the global stage, the
relevance of the Kiwi-Indian community to the rest of
Aotearoa, New Zealand, is also bound to increase,” he
says.
Born in 1952 in Malaysia, Gurunathan faced a world of
challenges head-on, armed with a tenacious spirit that
would shape his destiny.
Picture this: a young Gurunathan arriving in Wellington
in 1974 with nothing but a measly $200 in his pocket. But
don’t be fooled by the lack of cash; this was the genesis
of a tale that would be etched in the history books.
“I had two part-time jobs and lived in a basement for
$5 a week,” he chuckles, reminiscing
about those early days of hustle and
survival.
University life wasn’t just textbooks
and lectures for Gurunathan. He dived
into the bubbling cauldron of student
politics, co-founding The New Times
Monthly and even joining forces with
the Maori activists of Nga Tamatoa.
“I became their first non-Maori
member,” he says proudly, recalling
his fiery involvement in protests nationwide.
But the real turning point? That would be the
infamous 1981 Anti-Springbok Tour. Gurunathan wasn’t
a bystander; he was a game-changer. “I was part of the
small group that stopped the match,” he says.
Fast forward through journalistic adventures in
Malaysia and a triumphant return to New Zealand in
1995, Gurunathan became Kapiti’s first Asian councillor
in 2010. And if that wasn’t enough, he shattered the
glass ceiling by becoming the first non-Pakeha mayor
in 2016.
“A small contribution to the collective success of the
Kiwi-Indian community,” he humbly acknowledges. In
2022, he retired from local government politics.
Beyond the uproar of politics, Gurunathan’s passions
endure. He’s not just a mayor; he’s a columnist, a voice
for Maori issues and multicultural communities. And
with the recent addition of grandfather to his list of titles,
he’s ready to pen down the rollercoaster ride of his life.
Gurunathan Krishnasamy’s story isn’t
just about politics or achievements; it’s
an exhilarating saga of a man who dared
to challenge the status quo, a tale of
triumph against the odds, and a journey
that continues to inspire and captivate
those who dream of making a difference.
“This award isn’t just
about me; it’s about
inspiring others. These
are testimonials to
impassion, encourage
and inspire others to
blaze their own trails."