Nilima Venkat, is a qualified and registered social worker who has been involved with providing social/ community support for the past two decades. She has addressed inequalities affecting our communities and worked towards strengthening the wellbeing and social cohesion of migrants.

She is currently the General Manager for Shanti Niwas Charitable Trust an organisation that provides social services to elderly and disabled people and their families of Indian and South Asian descent. In the voluntary sector, Nilima is a founder member and trustee of The Asian Network Inc., trustee of the Sahayata Trust, member of Consumer Advisory group of Health and Disability Commission, past member of the Counties Manukau Police South East Asian Advisory Board, amongst others. She is also a Justice of Peace, New Zealand.

Nilima has substantial experience and understanding of issues of the South Asian community sector. Her specialisation and interest lie in working with the elderly, with women, and the community, to bring about positive health and social wellbeing outcomes.

Her services to the community have facilitated migrants to become more resilient, increase capability, self-determination, and helped towards settlement and integration within the local community.

Nilima was awarded the Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the 2013 new year’s honors list for her community work. She was also bestowed with the Kiwibank ‘Local Hero’ award in 2018.