Awards hail Asians' big contribution to economy

Thahirah Jalal (left) awaits the announcement of her award for Best Asian Practising Professional.

Hawke's Bay's cultural diversity was showcased last night as more than 200 guests turned out for the annual Asians in the Bay awards.

The awards recognise the contribution of the Asian community to Hawke's Bay's economic development.

The 2015 awards were held at East Pier Hotel last night in a lavish affair attended by the Hastings and Napier mayors, prominent members of the Hawke's Bay Asian community and local businesses.

Multicultural Association Hawke's Bay president Sook Hua Lee was still trying to squeeze people into the restaurant 10 minutes out from the start.

The awards continue to grow as attendance has more than doubled since the event's inception in 2012.

"It's a very popular event and very important for the Asian community," she said.

"The calibre of all the applicants is very high this year, showing the depth of Asian talent across the categories."

The evening kicked off with special performances from Gao Min, the Pipa Performer, accompanied by accomplished violinist Zhi Chen, world-class Chinese musicians.

This year the Too Family Trust presented a new cup for the Best Asian Community in memory of the late Tong Too and his contribution to the many cultures in Hawke's Bay.

Also among the new awards were the Best Asian Tertiary Graduate, to recognise students who have completed their schooling in Hawke's Bay and gone on to tertiary studies.

The evening's most prestigious award, Best Asian Practising Professional, went to Thahirah Jalal. Dr Jalal completed her PhD at the University of Canterbury in electrical engineering.

She has since joined Unison Networks and progressed her career to her current position of asset intelligence specialist.

Dr Jalal said her friends "insisted on nominating" her.

"I just love my work, love to be engaged with and really appreciate the local community."