New Zealand-based journalist Harjinder Singh Basiala has been awarded the prestigious King’s Service Medal (KSM) in the country’s 2026 New Year Honours List, recognising his decades of service to the community.

Basiala, editor of Punjabi Herald — New Zealand’s first online Punjabi news platform — and a senior member of Babushahi News Network (India), was honoured for his contributions to journalism, language preservation and community service.

Dedicating the award to the wider media fraternity, he said earlier,

“This honour does not belong to me alone; it belongs to the prayers of my family and every well-wisher associated with Punjabi media.”

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon also congratulated Basiala in an official letter, acknowledging his longstanding commitment to the community.

With more than 32 years in journalism, Basiala founded Punjabi Herald in 2009, creating a vital platform to deliver news and government information in Punjabi, particularly for migrants navigating policy changes and public services.

His work extends beyond media. He serves as a Justice of the Peace, a marriage celebrant, and a qualified interpreter, and has contributed to initiatives such as the New Zealand Sikh Games and the launch of Punjabi Language Week in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.

Reflecting on the recognition, he emphasised the broader significance of the award, stating it represents “all media professionals working tirelessly to promote the Punjabi mother tongue alongside their journalistic responsibilities.”

The King’s Service Medal, part of New Zealand’s royal honours system, recognises individuals who have provided distinguished voluntary or public service. It was formally presented at Government House in Auckland by Governor-General Cindy Kiro.

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