Indian Duo Honoured with New Zealand Order of Merit for Contributions to Tech and Community

A Kiwi honor with a desi twist—now that’s a combination worth celebrating.

You pause and take notice when two people of Indian origin are mentioned on New Zealand’s King’s Birthday Honours List. Not only because it is a great success but also because it symbolizes something more fundamental: recognition of ability, diversity, and real-world impact.

This year, Sunit Prakash and Lalita Kasanji were appointed Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit. The reason? Their work in digital technology and their ongoing efforts to strengthen communities.

The Powerhouse Duo Behind Digital Bridges

Sunit and Lalita are not only experts but also leaders. They are connectors across ideas, nations, and cultures.
They co-founded the New Zealand Centre for Digital Connections with India in 2023.
The aim is to encourage technical cooperation between New Zealand and India.
Their studies revealed that Indian IT specialists add more than NZ$350 million yearly to the New Zealand economy.

The duo did not, nevertheless, stop at figures. Encouraging both countries to do more than just share code—they wanted a shared vision, they pushed for a government-supported Digital and IT Trade Delegation to India.

A Personal Mission Turned National Recognition

Speaking about their honor, Prakash offered a line that could double as a TED Talk title:

“Sunlight is a powerful disinfectant, and we are bringing a magnifying glass.”

His wife and partner in impact, Kasanji, shared a powerful thought:

“Till Sunit and I met, Digital India and new Indians were invisible to this country. That perception has now begun to change.”

Given that Prime Minister Christopher Luxon recently visited India, the New Zealand government also appears to be observing this expanding partnership. And this couple is right in the center of that shift.

Beyond Technology: The Community Influence

Their footprint extends beyond technology.

Lalita works with several economic and municipal boards.
She has collaborated with New Zealand’s Ministry for Ethnic Communities.
Sunit has held leading positions in technology companies throughout the Asia-Pacific region and has also published a book.

While some people gather stamps, these two celebrate milestones.

The Indian Diaspora’s Great Victory

Their acknowledgment transcends mere individual triumph. It shows how Indian-origin professionals are increasingly contributing to New Zealand’s development, particularly in technology.

Less than 20 IT professionals have been awarded such honors since 1995. That places their success in a class of its own.

Looking Forward—with a Little Aid

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