Biography provided by Gurdeep Talwar

Gurdeep Talwar is a respected community leader and professional with a strong record of governance and service in West Auckland. He is the current President and Digital Communications lead of the Waitakere Ethnic Board, where he has worked to strengthen connections across diverse communities. He also serves as a Director at Transparency International New Zealand, where his expertise in governance, oversight, and accountability are recognised.

In 2021, Gurdeep helped oversee a major report highlighting the $64 billion economic contribution of ethnic communities in New Zealand. His leadership extends globally, having been the first person of colour to serve as President of the Institute of Management Consultants New Zealand, as well as a member of the Global Governance and Nomination Committee of the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes in Switzerland. Alongside these roles, he serves on the National Trust Board of Community Patrols of New Zealand and contributes as a funding panellist for the Ministry for Ethnic Communities.

Gurdeep is now standing as an independent candidate for the Waitākere Licensing Trust – Lincoln Ward in the 2025 local elections. His campaign has already shown his resilience and commitment: despite repeated vandalism of his election hoardings, reported by RNZ and Scoop, he remains determined to represent his community with integrity.

Through his experience in governance, his dedication to fairness, and his strong ties to the local community, Gurdeep offers the Lincoln Ward a candidate who will ensure licensing decisions are transparent, community resources are managed responsibly, and Trust profits are invested back into schools, sports, and grassroots initiatives.