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{{Short description|New Zealand politician}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=October 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|honorific-prefix = 
|name = Ashraf Choudhary
|honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|country=NZL|QSO|size=100%}}
|image = Ashraf Choudhary.jpg
|caption =
|constituency_MP = [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]] [[party list]]
|parliament = New Zealand
|term_start = [[2002 New Zealand general election|2002]]
|term_end =  [[2011 New Zealand general election|2011]]
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1949|02|15}}
|birth_place = [[Sialkot]], [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]], [[Pakistan]]
|death_date =
|death_place =
|restingplace =
|restingplacecoordinates =
|birthname =
|nationality = New Zealand
|party = [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]]
|otherparty = <!--For additional political affiliations-->
|spouse = 
|partner = <!--For those with a domestic partner and not married-->
|relations =
|children =
|residence = Auckland
|alma_mater = [[University of Agriculture, Faisalabad]] (UAF) Pakistan<br> [[Massey University]], New Zealand
|occupation =
|profession =
|cabinet =
|committees = Primary Production Committee
|portfolio =
|religion =
|signature =
|website =
|footnotes =
|blank1 = Fields
|data1 = [[Agricultural Engineering]]
|blank2 = Institutions
|data2 = [[Massey University]]
|blank3 =
|data3 =
|blank4 =
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}}
'''Ashraf Choudhary''' {{post-nominals|country=NZL|QSO|size=85%}} (born 15 February 1949; [[Sialkot]], [[Punjab]]) is a [[Pakistani New Zealander|Pakistani-New Zealand]] scientist in [[agricultural engineering]] and formerly a member of the [[New Zealand Parliament|Parliament]] in New Zealand. He is a member of the [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour Party]], and was New Zealand's first MP from [[South Asia]] and [[Pakistan]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Choudhary, Ashraf - New Zealand Parliament|url=https://www.parliament.nz/mi/mps-and-electorates/former-members-of-parliament/choudhary-ashraf/|access-date=2021-09-26|website=www.parliament.nz|language=en}}</ref>

==Early life==
Choudhary was born in the [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Pakistani half]] of the [[Punjab region]] in village Jajay at the home of Chaudhry Muhammad Boota. He comes from a family of agriculture. He attended high school in the town of [[Sialkot]],<ref name="pildat">{{cite web|url=http://www.pildat.org/eventsdel.asp?detid=65|title=Patience and Persistence required for a stable democracy in Pakistan|date=25 December 2004|publisher=PILDAT|accessdate=7 June 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615031605/http://www.pildat.org/eventsdel.asp?detid=65|archivedate=15 June 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> and then gained a degree in [[agricultural engineering]] from [[University of Agriculture, Faisalabad]] (UAF) in [[Faisalabad]]. He continued his studies abroad, gaining a master's degree in [[agricultural engineering]] at the [[Newcastle University|University of Newcastle upon Tyne]], [[England]] and a [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]] in [[agricultural engineering]] at [[Massey University]], New Zealand.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Choudhary |first=Mohammed Ashraf |title=Interrelationships between performance of direct drilled seeds, soil micro-environment and drilling equipment |date=1979 |degree=PhD |publisher=Massey Research Online, Massey University |hdl=10179/3612 |url=http://hdl.handle.net/10179/3612}}</ref>

== Scientific and community work ==
Choudhary was originally an [[environmental scientist]] and taught at [[Massey University]].<ref name="pildat" /> He has published a large number of scientific papers in his field, and is considered to be an international authority on [[conservation tillage]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}} His work has a particular focus on agricultural techniques in developing countries. Choudhary has three children.

Before entering [[New Zealand Parliament|Parliament]], Choudhary had worked with a number of community organisations, including such groups as the New Zealand Federation of Ethnic Councils and [[FIANZ]] – the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (of which he was president in 1984–85).{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}} In his capacity as president of [[FIANZ]] he oversaw the first annual [[halal]] meat contract with the [[New Zealand Meat Producers Board]] in June 1984, with the aid of [[Mazhar Krasniqi]], Hajji Abdul Rahim Rasheed and Dr. Mohammad Hanif Quazi.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}

==Parliamentary politics==
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Having been a supporter of the [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour Party]] for some time, Choudhary was elected to Parliament as a Labour Party list MP in the [[2002 New Zealand general election|2002 election]]. He was sworn in on the [[Qur'an]], which [[Winston Peters]] (leader of the [[New Zealand First]] party) criticised as breaking "centuries-old tradition."<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=New Zealand's first Muslim legislator in row over Quran {{!}} WWRN - World-wide Religious News|url=https://wwrn.org/articles/7895/|access-date=2021-09-26|website=wwrn.org}}</ref> Choudhary, however, responded that the tradition was broken when Premier [[Julius Vogel]] was sworn in on the [[Torah]].<ref name=":2" /> Because Parliamentary officials did not have a copy of the [[Qur'an]], they obtained a copy from the [[FIANZ]] office, which was then donated to the Parliamentary Library for use in the future.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}

During his time in [[New Zealand Parliament|Parliament]], Choudhary served on the Primary Production, Local Government and Environment, and Education and Science select committees.<ref name=":1" /> He also came to public attention in 2003, when he abstained in a vote to legalise [[prostitution]]. The Muslim community were upset by his decision to abstain from voting since prostitution is seen as a violation of their faith.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/content/206420/423466/article.html|title=Muslims upset with MP|date=17 July 2003|work=[[Television New Zealand]]|accessdate=7 June 2011}}</ref>

In 2011, Choudhary was mentioned in [[Anders Behring Breivik|Anders Behring Breivik's]] manifesto ''2083: A European Declaration of Independence'' where Choudhary was used an example of Muslim's failing to assimilate by not condoning the stoning of homosexuals and those who have extramarital affairs.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2011-07-30|title=Mass killer sees NZ as haven in Islam conflict|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/5365851/Mass-killer-sees-NZ-as-haven-in-Islam-conflict|access-date=2021-09-21|website=Stuff|language=en}}</ref> Choudhary had in 2004 stated that stoning was in line with Qur'an teachings, but had no place in New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ashraf Choudhary on the stoning of gays » archived article sourced from GayNZ.com|url=https://www.pridenz.com/gaynz/842.html|access-date=2021-09-26|website=www.pridenz.com}}</ref> He responded to the inclusion in the manifesto by saying "He is a terrorist and we should condemn what he has done and that is all I really want to say."<ref name=":0" />

==Post-parliament career==
On 29 September 2011, Choudhary delivered his valedictory speech in Parliament and would retire from politics after the [[2011 New Zealand general election|2011 general election]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2011-09-29 |title=Valedictory Speeches Sept 29 |url=http://parliamenttoday.co.nz/2011/09/valedictory-speeches-sept-29/ |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=parliamenttoday.co.nz |language=en-US}}</ref> Since retiring Choudhary has been active in the Pakistani and Indian community circles of Auckland encouraging youth political involvement and supporting blood donor drives.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-02-13|title=Indian Newslink - Former MP calls more youngsters to politics|url=http://www.indiannewslink.co.nz/index.php/archives2012/may_15_2012_issue/former-mp-calls-more-youngsters-to-politics.html|access-date=2021-09-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213172129/http://www.indiannewslink.co.nz/index.php/archives2012/may_15_2012_issue/former-mp-calls-more-youngsters-to-politics.html|archive-date=13 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-02-22|title=Indian Newslink - Pakistani blood donors do us proud|url=http://www.indiannewslink.co.nz/index.php/archives2012/feb_1_2012_issue/pakistani-blood-donors-do-us-proud.html|access-date=2021-09-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222203844/http://www.indiannewslink.co.nz/index.php/archives2012/feb_1_2012_issue/pakistani-blood-donors-do-us-proud.html|archive-date=22 February 2013}}</ref>

At the [[2016 Auckland local elections|2016 election]] and [[2019 Auckland local elections|2019 election]] local body elections Choudhary was elected to the Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board and [[Counties Manukau District Health Board]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-10-11|title=Majorities for Labour and Action Team on southern local boards|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/manukau-courier/85169943/majorities-for-labour-and-action-team-on-southern-local-boards|access-date=2021-09-26|website=Stuff|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-09-12|title=Voice of ethnic communities gets stronger and louder|url=https://indiannewslink.co.nz/voice-of-ethnic-communities-gets-stronger-and-louder-2/|access-date=2021-09-26|website=indiannewslink.co.nz|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-10-11|title=Three new members elected to Counties Manukau DHB|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/manukau-courier/85143467/three-new-members-elected-to-counties-manukau-dhb|access-date=2021-09-26|website=Stuff|language=en}}</ref>

== Honours ==
In the [[2001 New Year Honours (New Zealand)|2001 New Year Honours]], Choudhary was appointed a [[Companion of the Queen's Service Order]] for community service.<ref>{{cite web|date=30 December 2000|title=New Year honours list 2001|url=https://dpmc.govt.nz/publications/new-year-honours-list-2001|publisher=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet|accessdate=17 August 2019}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Islam in New Zealand]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{citation |first1 = Mohammed Ashraf |last1 = Choudhary |first2 = C. J. |last2 = Baker |title = Developments in direct drilling techniques |place = Auckland, [N.Z.] |publisher = New Zealand Energy Research and Development Committee |year = 1985}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040121053847/http://www.theasianoutlook.com/articles/March/40.htm Interview with Ashraf Choudhary]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040103082525/http://pakistandost.com/choudhry.htm PakistanDost biography]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090324101106/http://theyworkforyou.co.nz/mps/ashraf_choudhary Ashraf Choudhary] at TheyWorkForYou

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Choudhary, Ashraf}}
[[Category:1949 births]]
[[Category:Alumni of Newcastle University]]
[[Category:Agricultural engineers]]
[[Category:Companions of the Queen's Service Order]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Massey University alumni]]
[[Category:Academic staff of Massey University]]
[[Category:University of Agriculture, Faisalabad alumni]]
[[Category:New Zealand Labour Party MPs]]
[[Category:New Zealand Muslims]]
[[Category:Pakistani emigrants to New Zealand]]
[[Category:Pakistani scientists]]
[[Category:Pakistani engineers]]
[[Category:People from Sialkot]]
[[Category:Environmental scientists]]
[[Category:Environmental engineers]]
[[Category:New Zealand list MPs]]
[[Category:Unsuccessful candidates in the 1999 New Zealand general election]]
[[Category:Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives]]
[[Category:New Zealand people of Punjabi descent]]
[[Category:21st-century New Zealand politicians]]
[[Category:Counties Manukau District Health Board members]]