“We are strong because of our diversity and not in spite of it.” She’s the first person of Indian origin to become a minister in New Zealand. In 2017, Priyanca Radhakrishnan began her maiden Parliament speech… by speaking in MALAYALAM!
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00:00I send my love and best wishes to all my friends.
00:07I thank all of you.
00:10Mr. Speaker, I believe that it's the first time my mother tongue, Malayalam, has been spoken in this House.
00:17Mr. Speaker, I've spent most of my working life advocating for those whose voices are rarely heard.
00:24Ethnic women survivors of violence, and more recently, migrant workers who've been exploited.
00:42Mr. Speaker, I believe that it's the first time my mother tongue, Malayalam, has been spoken in this House.
00:49I extended my heartfelt thanks and wishes to everyone, to all those who have supported me on my journey to Parliament,
00:59including the Malayali community in New Zealand.
01:02I have the honour of being the first Indian-born woman Labour MP, possibly the first who has grown up in Singapore.
01:11I acknowledge the role that both countries have played in shaping my perspectives in life.
01:18I acknowledge former Labour MPs Dr. Ashraf Chowdhury and Dr. Rajen Prasad, who also have links to South Asia, and in whose footsteps I follow.
01:28Becoming a Member of Parliament is a surreal experience for most, I'm sure, but it's particularly so for someone like me.
01:36I was born in India, grew up in Singapore, and I moved to New Zealand as a young adult,
01:42at a time in my life when I wanted to step outside my comfort zone, move to a country where I didn't know anyone, and build a life for myself.
01:50It was the best decision of my life, and I am grateful for the opportunities that New Zealand has offered me,
01:57opportunities that should be equally available to everyone.
02:01It's often said that the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way it treats its most marginalised.
02:11Mr. Speaker, I have spent most of my working life advocating for those whose voices are rarely heard,
02:18ethnic women survivors of violence, and more recently, migrant workers who have been exploited.
02:24I want us to be a nation that also values heritage languages.
02:28Language connects us to our unique histories and identities.
02:33A truly egalitarian nation where everyone is valued, regardless of where they come from or what they sound like.
02:41Where migrants don't feel that they have to change their names to be considered for jobs that they are qualified for.
02:48Where people from different ethnic communities are well represented in leadership roles.
02:54Our collective strength lies in our diversity.
02:58We are strong because of our diversity and not in spite of it.
03:03Mr. Speaker, it's often said that we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us.
03:09I acknowledge the role that my extended family has played in shaping who I am today.
03:15My maternal great-grandfather was a unionist and a proud member of the Socialist Party in India.
03:21Both he and my maternal grandfather were medical doctors who treated those who couldn't afford treatment for free.
03:30I've been brought up in a family that for generations believed that it is our duty to value everyone equally and to serve those who are less privileged.
03:39I stand in this house recognizing that it's a privilege, and with privilege comes great responsibility.