Patel pursued industrial chemistry at University in Auckland before travelling to India where she met and married her now husband of fifty years, Kantilal, who had qualified as a doctor. The pair returned to New Zealand in 1964 with the hopes of opening a GP clinic. 

Over ten years, Ranjna and Kantilal encountered numerous challenges attempting to enter New Zealand’s conservative health system. Patel reflected on the process of achieving this, commenting that bureaucracy was their biggest barrier. They opened their first clinic in 1977, the East Tamaki Healthcare Medical Clinic, in Otara. Their refreshing approach to the traditionally colonial, white, middle-class way of doing things was skepticized by the District Health Board which threatened to place limitations on the number of patients they were able to charge, which didn’t stop them from continuing to serve whoever required their medical service at any hour. 

Their modest solo GP practice in Otara blossomed into what is now Tamaki Health, the largest private primary healthcare network in New Zealand, which encompasses over fifty clinics and a digital platform called Better. Tamaki Health serves over 300,000 patients, providing access to essential healthcare services and innovative digital solutions for communities across New Zealand. While her husband took care of the medical side of the clinic, Ranjna was instrumental in the success of the first clinic, wearing a wide range of hats without any formal business training. She was the receptionist, cleaner, office manager, and accountant. Her involvement in operations and strategy was vital to the expansion of the company, growing it to employ over 1000staff nationwide. Ranjna stepped down from the Tāmaki Health Board in 2022, shifting her focus to philanthropic endeavours. Rakesh Patel, her son, is still on the Tamaki Health Board.

Ranjna has been recognized for her contributions extending beyond the realm of healthcare and business, receiving numerous accolades and honours over the years for her dedication and significant contributions to the community which is evident in her various voluntary and charitable project involvements.

 In2014, Ranjna co-founded Gandhi Nivas, an innovative family harm prevention programme that aims to break the cycle of violence and provide support to individuals and families affected by family harm. Gandhi Nivas operates several residential facilities for perpetrators of family violence thereby working innovatively with men. A 5-year evaluation from Massey University has shown that 60% of men did not reoffend after this intervention.

Ranjna is actively involved in many wider community groups, and women’s groups and alongside her husband has built a Hindu Temple. She sits on numerous advisory boards including the National Ethnic Forum for NZ Police, Counties Manukau Police, Middlemore Foundation, Mental Health Foundation, Diversity Works, Global Women and Co of Women and Patron of NZ Police Recruit Wing 330. She has served as the president of the Manukau Indian Association and has played a pivotal role in shaping policies and initiatives that promote diversity, inclusion, and social cohesion. Past appointments include Lotteries, The National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women (NACEW) and Director on Bank of Baroda. 

Ranjna has been awarded a NZ Order of Merit (ONZM), and Queen’s Service Medal (QSM). She has also been inducted into the Co of Women NZ Hall of Fame for Women Entrepreneurs, won the EEO Diversity Awards Walk the Talk and IBA Best Businesswomen of the Year and was a finalist for Westpac Women of Influence in Business and Entrepreneur for three years, NEXT Woman of the Year– Business and Innovation, EY Entrepreneur Of the Year – Master Category and the Deloitte’s Top 200 Awards – Visionary Leader. 

The New Zealand Business Hall of Fame is one of the premier business awards of Aotearoa.  Each year, between 6 and 8 individuals are inducted into the Hall to celebrate their significant contributions to the economic and social development of Aotearoa New Zealand. Individuals or Laureates will be formally inducted at a gala black-tie dinner on 11^th September.  For more information, or to purchase tickets/a table, visit www.businesshalloffame.co.nz.

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