Local Doctors founder wins Community Hero award

Local Doctors co-founder and director Ranjna Patel has been awarded ‘Community Hero’ at the 2020 Women of Influence Awards for her work with Gandhi Nivas. 

The Women of Influence awards celebrate New Zealand women who are helping the next generation positively shape their future.

Ranjna impressed the judges by bringing multiple parties together, including police and social support services, to reduce rates of family violence.

"Our work with Gandhi Nivas was acknowledged and the partnership with NZ Police and the fabulous Team Sahaayta lead by Sucharita has made this a success," says Ranjna.

"The evening had some amazing women being recognised. I was proud to be the first Indian to win a WOI award." 

Thanks to a five-year case study by Massey University, the Gandhi Nivas programme, which provides emergency housing and counselling to the perpetrators of family violence, has been proven to reduce reoffending by 60 per cent. 

Ranjna adds this latest award to countless other business and personal and professional achievements. She was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2017 and received a Queen’s Service Medal in 2009.

Learn more:

Ranjna recently spoke with The AM Show about creating Gandhi Nivas and its work to reduce family harm and reoffending. She also spoke about creating Tāmaki Health and the passion that drives her team to serve high needs communities.

Watch the video: Women of Influence Awards Community Hero winner Ranjna Patel speaks to The AM Show