Imtiyaz Bakshi: 2024 Civic Honour Award winner

Published on 05 December 2024

“New Zealand has given me so much, and this is something I can give back.” – Imtiyaz Bakshi

Since relocating from Wellington to Palmerston North in 2002, Imtiyaz Bakshi — originally from Mumbai, India — has shown a steadfast commitment to community service. Widely acknowledged as a compassionate, ethical, and empathetic leader within the Muslim community, Imtiyaz is known for extending a helping hand, whether during celebrations and events or by supporting individuals in need.

From 2006 to 2017, while managing his convenience store, Imtiyaz volunteered with the Red Cross Refugee Resettlement Programme, providing essential support to newly arrived former refugee families, and helping them integrate into city life.

In 2011, together with his Palmerston North Muslim community, he spearheaded fundraising efforts to establish a free Muslim funeral service. In 2012, and a first for New Zealand, they purchased 50 burial plots oriented towards Mecca at Kelvin Grove Cemetery so families had access to compassionate and free burials. His commitment to community support during difficult times proved invaluable following the 2019 Christchurch Mosque attacks, when Imtiyaz was called upon to assist with funeral services for the victims.

Building on the Palmerston North free funeral service model, Imtiyaz and his associates from the Working Together Group have established similar services in Nelson, Timaru, Queenstown, Hamilton, and Whangārei. They are now working to expand these services to Christchurch, Ashburton and Gisborne.

A volunteer prison chaplain at Manawatū Prison since 2013, Imtiyaz offers guidance and support to Muslim inmates. His chaplaincy work has now expanded to include Whanganui and Tongariro prisons, where he helps ensure the religious needs of Muslim men are met and that they have opportunities for rehabilitation.

Now a Work Retention Specialist with the Ministry of Social Development, Imtiyaz was also involved with the city's Network of Skilled Migrants, an organisation that helps match overseas qualifications, workplace skills, and competencies with the needs of local employers.

In 2019, Imtiyaz was appointed a Justice of the Peace, providing invaluable community legal services and served a term as a council member of the Central Districts Justices of the Peace Association.

His commendable community contributions and leadership reflects and enhances the city’s growing multicultural character.