From Kerala to Canterbury

Chapters

The path

1. Hospitality

   Distinction Hotel

   My first step into the workforce was as a Kitchen Assistant at Distinction Hotel Christchurch. Far from glamorous, it was foundational. I approached every task with the same commitment — no job too small, every detail worth getting right. That attitude was noticed. Management offered me a move to the Front Office, where I discovered a genuine passion for connecting with people, resolving challenges, and making others feel welcome.

2. Frontline

   COVID-19 response

   When COVID-19 struck and the hotel became a government-managed isolation facility, I stayed on the frontlines. Supporting people isolated far from their families, I understood that care is not just a profession — it is a calling. The New Zealand Government’s COVID-19 Response Recognition Award was a humbling affirmation of that purpose.

3. Aged care

   Summerset & Chatswood

   From hospitality, I moved into aged care, taking on a Caregiver role at Summerset Retirement Village and later becoming a Caregiver Coordinator at Chatswood Retirement Village. Overseeing care delivery, managing schedules, and supporting staff deepened my leadership and reinforced my commitment to dignity and compassion in service.

4. Support work

   Tāngata whai ora

   As a Support Worker, I had the privilege of supporting tāngata whai ora — people living with intellectual disabilities and mental health needs. I assisted with daily living, managed medications, and drew on my multilingual abilities in Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, and English to build trust across cultures. Every interaction reminded me that to be truly helpful, you must first make someone feel seen.

5. Today

   Ministry of Social Development

   Today, as a Case Manager at the Ministry of Social Development in Kaikōura, these threads have come together. The logistics mindset, the hospitality instinct, and the care-sector heart — all of it informs how I show up for the people I serve every day.

6. Advocacy

   Health and Safety Representative

   Alongside my role as a Case Manager, I am also the Health and Safety Representative (HSR) for the Kaikōura Work and Income office, representing workers on health and safety matters, identifying and raising workplace risks, supporting consultation, and promoting a safe and healthy working environment. This role has further strengthened my leadership, advocacy, communication, and commitment to creating a positive workplace for others.