2 Indian women in finals for prestigious New Zealand award

Two Indian-origin entrepreneurs in New Zealand are among 18 finalists for the prestigious 2015 'Women of Influence Awards,' a media report said today.
Ranjna Patel and Pushpa Wood, founder of East Tamaki Healthcare Group, and director of Westpac and Massey University's Financial Education and Research Centre respectively have made it to the finals in the community and not-for-profit category, Stuff.Co.Nz reported.
Ranjna founded East Tamaki Healthcare Group in 1977, which now includes 35 clinics in New Zealand and 14 in Australia and has become one of Australasia's largest primary providers.
She provides employment to more than 800 people, many of those in low socio-economic communities and has various directorships including Bank of Baroda, Company of Women, New Zealand Asian Leaders Group, the report said.

In 2009, Ranjna was awarded a Queen's Service Medal for services to the Indian community and in 2014 was inducted into the New Zealand Hall of Fame for Women Entrepreneurs.
Pushpa has worked across the school, tertiary and industry sectors to improve adult literacy and financial literacy. She has previously contributed to the New Zealand Qualifications Authority's project advisory groups developing and reviewing financial literacy and numeracy standards and developing qualifications for the adult literacy sector.
She is regarded as one of the key academics involved in developing resources for financial literacy and building the capability of financial literacy educators. Her research interests include women empowerment through financial independence, culturally appropriate responses to violence at home, interfaith issues and Indian religions and languages.

She acts as an expert witness for the Crown in the area of Indian culture, customs and beliefs.