Robert Khan, the founder/ceo of NZ Indian radio network Tarana, has been named a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen’s Birthday honours list.
The honour acknowledges for his service to broadcasting and the Indian community, after more than two decades at the helm of Radio Tarana.
From humble beginnings as New Zealand’s first commercial Indian radio network, Khan has led Tarana to become one of the largest independent brands in New Zealand radio.
Tarana was the first ethnic radio broadcaster to sign a joint venture with MediaWorks radio, and in 2014 became the first ethnic radio network to partner with NZME, on their iHeartRadio platform.
Khan’s success with the Tarana model has paved the way for ethnic radio in New Zealand and has been used to champion the cause of ethnic media.
Outside of his day job, Khan serves on a number of advisory and governance boards including the Ministry of Business’s Small Business Advisory Group, and as an elected member of the NZ Radio Broadcasters Association. He also acts as an advisor for numerous businesses and broadcast organisations in Fiji, India and across Asia.
“We are very fortunate that so many of our citizens are able and willing to strive to selflessly serve our community and their country,” PM Bill English said. “New Zealand’s success is built on such efforts. You have made an outstanding contribution to that success.”
“Radio Tarana is the pulse of the Indian community; the connection for the Indian diaspora here to their culture, entertainment, music and information.”
“I’m humbled to receive this award. but this award is not about me,” Khan said. “It reflects all the work done by people during this Tarana journey.
“I’m motivated by the people I work with and the people I work for. They motivate me to get up and come to work every morning, and are my inspiration for making radio a success, and Tarana a brand to be reckoned with,” he says.
“Radio Tarana is the pulse of the Indian community. It acts as the connection for the Indian diaspora here to their culture, entertainment, music and information.
“It is more than just a radio brand; it engages with the New Zealand Indian community and not only provides a service, but has a role in growing and showcasing Indian culture in New Zealand.”
More about Robert Khan
Outside of his role as Tarana chief executive, Khan is also heavily involved in the community. He is the founder and organiser of the South Auckland Festival of Lights (Manukau Diwali), as well as the founder of Festival of India, showcasing Indian culture in New Zealand.
As a former Waitemata District Health Board member, Khan helped launch New Zealand’s first Asian and Pacific Health Units, and in 2002 he led the organisation of the inaugural NZ Police and Immigration Department workshops for the Indian community.
He was instrumental in the development and implementation of a New Zealand Radio Research Model in 2016, through his role as an elected member of the Radio Broadcasters Association. He also champions the cause of independent radio brands across New Zealand.
Khan is also a co-founder and Chairman of NZ Fiji Football Inc.
More about Radio Tarana
Tarana is New Zealand’s leading Indian broadcaster and has been operating from Auckland since 1995, when Khan saw the need to cater to and support the growing Indian population in New Zealand.
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