New Zealand is a multicultural society with a thriving migrant population. The Kiwi-Indian community is an integral part of this country and has contributed immensely in financial terms and through its culture. Even though it is a sizeable community, there is a continuous need for keeping its culture alive, its roots connected and integrated with the wider communities. Kiwi-Indians are lucky to have many champions who bring vibrant energy and play a vital role in representing the best that this community has to offer.

Dr Surinder Tandon is one such well-recognised and respected face of the Kiwi-Indian community. The list of his initiatives and the organisations he has served is a long one. He has really been able to make a difference in his roles in the Indian community, multicultural and interfaith councils, Rotary International throughout Christchurch, neighbouring Selwyn and Waikamariri Districts.

Tandon is based in Christchurch, a diverse city with over 180 ethnicities. Tandon feels that every migrant from any country has similar needs and concerns such as language barriers, employment challenges, cultural connections and homesickness. Through various community initiatives and having gone through these concerns himself, Tandon has been actively addressing many of these issues.

His journey started in 1988 when a young Tandon moved to NZ along with his wife Archna. Having just completed his PhD in Textile Engineering at Leeds University, England, he took a job with Wool Research Organisation of NZ (WRONZ) in Lincoln as a Textile Scientist.

On his arrival, Tandon met the other migrants from India who showed him around and helped him settle. While juggling his new job and a growing family, he understood the need to have a support system for the migrants and formed a “potluck social group” to meet up during the weekends for picnics and other family activities. That was his first brush with organising a community activity. Since then, despite being a full-time Textile Scientist and having a busy schedule, his passion for culture and serving the community has only grown.

In 1998, he helped form the Indian Social and Cultural Club (ISCCNZ), which is now a major Indian association in Christchurch. Surinder served ISCCNZ as its Secretary for three consecutive years. He was then appointed to represent ISCCNZ on the Christchurch Multicultural (nee Ethnic) Council in order to promote the Indian culture to the wider community.

In 2000, Tandon was elected Vice President of the Christchurch Multicultural Council(CMC) which he served for 9 years before being elected its President, the role he still plays.

CMC is a voluntary organisation with over sixty members representing different ethnic communities and service groups, working passionately for the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities and fostering social cohesion.

Tandon was also a founding member of the NZ Sikh Society(South Island), founding Trustee of the Canterbury Indian Community Centre Trust, and executive committee member of Christchurch Interfaith Council since its inception in 2008.

In 2014, he received the insignia of a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to the community, and in the field of textile science. The award recognises a lifetime of service to others from a man whose personal motto is ‘service above self’.

Tandon has also been active in the Lincoln Rotary Club and played a big role in bringing CultureFest for Canterbury residents where various ethnic groups can showcase their music, dance and food.

In 2021, Tandon became the Founding Chair of Bhartiya Samaj Canterbury, established with the help of Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust. He is also the Chair of the Hindu Council NZ Canterbury chapter.

Tandon also represents the ethnic community on the advisory panel of Immigration NZ as well as the Ministry of Ethnic Communities.

Since becoming a White Ribbon Ambassador in 2017, he has actively participated in the campaign for the prevention of violence against women.

Tandon’s wife Archna Tandon JP is a Correction Officer and National President of the Multicultural Women Council. Their daughter Ruchika works as a Clinical Pharmacist at Starship Hospital, Aucklnd and son Sachin is studying at University of Canterbury and is a budding cricketer.

Summing up his life in NZ, Tandon says, “I have enjoyed the three blissful decades professionally, socially and culturally. I am grateful that my services to the community have been acknowledged by accolades like the Queens’s Birthday honour, and the Paul Harris Fellow from Rotary International, in addition to a number of other awards.”