Website of the YearRecently confirmed Hamilton West Labour candidate for this year's general election Dr Gaurav Sharma is a determined over-achiever.
Gaurav, 30, said his attraction to the Labour Party comes from his family's experience after arriving in New Zealand from India 21 years ago.
"My family's journey in New Zealand starting from my father's homelessness to receiving my Fulbright [Scholarship] has been full of perseverance and is a true example of Labour's motto of backing the Kiwi dream.
"My whanau and I have always been thankful to the Labour Party's policies and social security measures as well as educational and health reforms and as such Labour was the only choice.
Gaurav gained proxime accessit (runner-up dux) at Auckland Grammar. Volunteering to work as a caregiver in a rest home he was inspired to study medicine at Auckland Medical School with part of his training in Waikato Hospital and the Waikato-Coromandel Region.
He qualified as a medical doctor.
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Advertise with NZME.The recipient of a Fulbright Scholar to Washington DC, he studied business management with public health and politics for two years at the George Washington University and gained grassroots campaign work in the American political system while studying digital political strategy, PR, communications and opinion journalism.
"I have always had a keen interest in policy writing and advocacy. In 2014 I got to work very closely with Phil Goff during the General Election.
He not only inspired me with his work and actions but also gave me a gentle push to consider politics as a way of making a difference in people's lives.
Today Dr Gaurav Sharma lives in Hamilton and his busy life has him around the country on his Labour list commitments in Multicultural Labour Group and Healthcare.