Understanding different civic functions has always been a key interest of M.C. Balraj Thakur. He never misses an opportunity to explore cross-cultural governance systems. During his personal visit to New Zealand, he had a thoughtful and engaging dialogue with Auckland Councillor Daniel Newman. 

Mr Thakur Conveyed that It was a real honor to meet Mr. Daniel Newman, Auckland Councillor for the Manurewa-Papakura ward, New Zealand and engage in a meaningful discussion on the structure, functioning, and responsibilities of the Auckland Council.

Councillor Newman explained that the Auckland Council consists of 20 members and one Mayor. Of these, 13 members are elected and others are nominated. The Mayor is directly elected by the public. He also shared insights about the local board system, noting that each ward includes two or more local boards, represented by their respective members.

Our conversation extended to a comparative discussion on political systems, during which Mr. Newman shared his experiences from a past visit to Punjab, India. His practical wisdom, understanding of operational challenges, and passion for public service made the interaction truly enriching. He also took a keen interest in assessing our work and expressed genuine appreciation for the consistent trust shown by our ward residents.

Mr Thakur expressed his deep appreciation for the transparency, structure, and community engagement observed in the Auckland Council system. He shared insights from the Indian local governance model and highlighted the importance of citizen trust and participation in effective administration. The exchange reflected mutual respect and a shared commitment to public service.

Mr Balraj also conveyed his sincere gratitude to Mr. Rajesh Sachdeva, Ripul Sachdeva and their family for arranging this wonderful meeting, which was graciously hosted by his son Akshay Thakur and daughter-in-law Sushriya Thakur at their residence in Aukland. 

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