Mrs Sharda Patel, of Wellington, KSM for services to the Indian community and women
Sharda Patel was President of the Wellington Indian Association, the first woman in New Zealand to be elected to such a role. As Chair of Mahalia Samaj (Women’s Auxiliary), she has led initiatives to foster physical and mental wellness in Indian women. As Chair of the Indian School, she helped establish adult Gujarati classes. She was Coordinator of the Indian Women’s Forum for the New Zealand Indian Central Association. Mrs Patel has been a founding member of Shakti Women’s Refuge, a Board Member of the Multi-Cultural Learning and Support services, and a volunteer for Mary Potter Hospice.