Mrs Suman Kapoor

As a resident of Hamilton, NZ, Suman Kapoor has dedicated herself to voluntary community service in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally for nearly 25 years. The first woman from New Zealand to lead the Oceania region of an international Indian diaspora organisation, she has represented Aotearoa on global platforms, championing cultural identity, heritage languages and community connections. She was also the first woman of colour to serve as President of the National Council of Women Hamilton Branch, guiding the organisation through the challenging COVID-19 period.

Beyond leadership roles, Suman remains actively involved in grassroots service, preparing meals for those in need, supporting migrants and international students, and organising community seminars. Recognised through several national and international awards, she has recently been appointed Global Vice President of Global Indian Organization International. For Suman, community leadership has never been merely about holding positions, but about earning trust, building connections and making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.