Two Nepali-origin candidates contest New Zealand's November 7 general election

Two candidates of Nepali origin are contesting in New Zealand's general election on November 7.

Netra Ghimire and Shreejan Pandey are standing as candidates for different parties. Both are young members of the immigrant Nepali community living in New Zealand.

Ghimire is a candidate for the Opportunities Party in the Palmerston North electorate. Pandey is contesting from the Green Party in the Wigram electorate in Christchurch.

Both candidates have placed contemporary issues of public concern at the centre of their campaigns. Ghimire has made controlling the rising cost of living, affordable housing and quality education his main election agenda.

Their candidacies have generated enthusiasm among Nepalis living in New Zealand and across the Nepali diaspora worldwide.