![Priyanca's power move FROM MIGRANT TO MINISTER Priyanca's power move FROM MIGRANT TO MINISTER](https://cdn.magzter.com/1472108748/1667522649/articles/bZ86DlLBC1667906540549/PRIYANCAS-POWER-MOVE-FROM-MIGRANT-TO-MINISTER.jpg)
She's travelled the world, advocated for issues like domestic violence, emigrated to Aotearoa, found love outside a shoe shop, and is New Zealand's first minister of Indian descent. But of all the interesting topics people could raise when meeting Priyanca Radhakrishnan, there's one question she can't shake: "When are you having kids?"
The 43-year-old politician and her husband Ewan Richardson have happily built a life without children, yet Priyanca frequently finds herself interrogated over the decision.
"At the start, it was very much, 'Why don't you have children?" says the Aucklander. "Now people assume I have kids, but I still get, 'You don't know what you're missing, or, 'A woman's role is to raise children. People say I'm wasting my life or that Ewan and I would make good parents and are being selfish.
"If you don't have children, the onus is on you to explain why, which is unfair because it's as valid a choice as choosing to have children.
"It's tiresome having to constantly explain - and it's not a justification expected of my male colleagues."
Born in Chennai, India, Priyanca and her older sister Manavi grew up in Singapore (on a street called One Tree Hill - the name of the Auckland region she's now MP for), where her parents Raman and Usha worked. A "girly girl" who loved playing house with her dolls, she imagined becoming a mum.
"I saw married women had children and assumed someday that would be me," she recalls. "But as I grew up, I started questioning parenthood. I had friends talking about their biological clocks ticking and couldn't relate. People said I would eventually experience a desire to have children, but that never happened."
It's a choice that defies traditional Indian expectations, but Priyanca's life has always been a colourful merging of Western and Asian influence.
Esta historia es de la edición November 14, 2022 de Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 14, 2022 de Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
![MASTERCHEF CHAMP EMELIA MASTERCHEF CHAMP EMELIA](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1975655/AgWPaiTtr1738049459511/MASTERCHEF-CHAMP-EMELIA.jpg)
MASTERCHEF CHAMP EMELIA
'MY TOUGHEST CHALLENGE' - Why her return to reality TV has been so emotional.
![MEL SCHILLING - I'M CANCER FREE MEL SCHILLING - I'M CANCER FREE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1975655/xlxRIOxwv1738047616873/MEL-SCHILLING-IM-CANCER-FREE.jpg)
MEL SCHILLING - I'M CANCER FREE
The MAFS expert reveals a huge health update
![X FACTOR NZ JUDGE NAT I WAS COMPLETELY WRECKED' X FACTOR NZ JUDGE NAT I WAS COMPLETELY WRECKED'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1975655/KQOCNXdz41738048639319/X-FACTOR-NZ-JUDGE-NAT-I-WAS-COMPLETELY-WRECKED.jpg)
X FACTOR NZ JUDGE NAT I WAS COMPLETELY WRECKED'
The former Neighbours actress is having the 'wildest ride ever' on The Amazing Race
![DWTS darling Loryn weds HER FOREVER DANCE PARTNER DWTS darling Loryn weds HER FOREVER DANCE PARTNER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1975655/EajkbMaUQ1738047235242/DWTS-DARLING-LORYN-WEDS-HER-FOREVER-DANCE-PARTNER.jpg)
DWTS darling Loryn weds HER FOREVER DANCE PARTNER
The reality TV star had a rocky lead-up to her romantic nuptials
![STYLE ICON COLLETTE NZ'S THE SECRET TO MY SUCCESS! STYLE ICON COLLETTE NZ'S THE SECRET TO MY SUCCESS!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1975655/pzY2jl20n1738047753721/STYLE-ICON-COLLETTE-NZS-THE-SECRET-TO-MY-SUCCESS.jpg)
STYLE ICON COLLETTE NZ'S THE SECRET TO MY SUCCESS!
She found global fame, but the fashion phenomenon is still inspired by Aotearoea
![HEARTBREAK ISLAND'S JOSHUA 'I HIT ROCK BOTTOM' HEARTBREAK ISLAND'S JOSHUA 'I HIT ROCK BOTTOM'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1975655/q7ZlcQyHM1738048981034/HEARTBREAK-ISLANDS-JOSHUA-I-HIT-ROCK-BOTTOM.jpg)
HEARTBREAK ISLAND'S JOSHUA 'I HIT ROCK BOTTOM'
After surviving loss and depression, the reality TV star has turned his life around
![RACING CHAMP SCOTT - 'I'M WINNING FOR MY GIRLS! RACING CHAMP SCOTT - 'I'M WINNING FOR MY GIRLS!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1975655/0EB2OnsGb1738046361288/RACING-CHAMP-SCOTT-IM-WINNING-FOR-MY-GIRLS.jpg)
RACING CHAMP SCOTT - 'I'M WINNING FOR MY GIRLS!
The supercar star is besotted with his wife and baby daughter
![Spoiler alert - CHEATING SCANDAL EXPLODES! Spoiler alert - CHEATING SCANDAL EXPLODES!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1975655/KwYmarki91738046843553/SPOILER-ALERT-CHEATING-SCANDAL-EXPLODES.jpg)
Spoiler alert - CHEATING SCANDAL EXPLODES!
What really happened between Brad and Kylie
![ISAKIWI KILLER ON THE LOOSE? ISAKIWI KILLER ON THE LOOSE?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1975655/GptpnlSLc1738049663356/ISAKIWI-KILLER-ON-THE-LOOSE.jpg)
ISAKIWI KILLER ON THE LOOSE?
Fraudster Alex Lang slipped back into the country after dodging a criminal conviction for murder
![HARRY IN SHOCK - MEGHAN'S DIVORCE BOOK LEAKED! HARRY IN SHOCK - MEGHAN'S DIVORCE BOOK LEAKED!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13976/1975655/7yGFDlxa-1738045195353/HARRY-IN-SHOCK-MEGHANS-DIVORCE-BOOK-LEAKED.jpg)
HARRY IN SHOCK - MEGHAN'S DIVORCE BOOK LEAKED!
Shock new claims have left poor Harry questioning his wife