Indian Community Celebrates 79th Independence Day Across New Zealand

The Indian community throughout New Zealand marked India’s 79th Independence Day with vibrant celebrations held across various cities, including Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Whangārei. Events, which took place from August 15 to August 18, showcased a rich tapestry of cultural performances, patriotic songs, and community unity, reflecting on India’s historic struggle for independence.

At the Indian High Commission in Wellington, Neeta Bhushan, the High Commissioner of India to New Zealand, hoisted the Indian National flag. She read excerpts from an address delivered by Droupadi Murmu, the President of India, emphasizing the significance of democracy and freedom. Over 400 attendees experienced performances from students of the Wellington Hindi School and Khandallah School, creating an atmosphere filled with national pride.

The celebrations featured a variety of cultural presentations. Dance troupes, including the Shivam Dance Academy and the Sri Chakra School of Fine Arts, captivated audiences with traditional performances. In Auckland, Madan Mohan Sethi, the Consul General of India, led the local festivities and expressed optimism about fostering deeper ties between New Zealand and India.

During the gatherings, Veer Khar, President of the New Zealand Indian Central Association, urged the third-largest ethnic community in New Zealand to advocate for greater political representation. The presence of two Members of Parliament of Indian origin, Priyanca Radhakrishnan from the Labour Party and Parmjeet Parmar from the ACT Party, underscored this message. Radhakrishnan remarked, “Today we celebrate the value of democracy – something worth fighting for,” while Parmar highlighted her dual connection to both India and New Zealand.

A highlight of the Auckland celebrations was an event at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre, attended by Vince Cocurullo, the Mayor of Whangārei. He announced plans for his district to host part of the festivities in the following week, which includes a business meeting and culinary showcase on August 18. This year’s celebrations are notably larger, coinciding with the opening of the Indian Consulate General in Auckland in September 2022.

With a focus on cultural exchange, Sethi mentioned an upcoming multi-city festival titled “The World and Us.” This initiative aims to celebrate the shared values of culture, cuisine, and commerce between India and New Zealand. The festival includes events in Wellington, Auckland, Hamilton, and Whangārei, culminating in a grand showcase of Indian culture.

One of the culinary highlights was an Indian food festival at Auckland’s North Shore, featuring renowned chefs from India, Satyanarayana Pandari and Anuj Mathur, who prepared signature dishes like Hyderabadi biryani and Bengali fish curry. Culinary educators Prem Ram and Suprabhat Banerjee emphasized the importance of food diplomacy between the two nations, noting that the diversity of Indian cuisine can blend harmoniously with New Zealand’s fresh ingredients.

The festivities continued with various events, including a friendly MasterChef competition between Indian and New Zealand chefs, scheduled for Saturday. A cultural evening featuring one of India’s top singers, Shibani Kashyap, is planned at Auckland’s Dew Drop Events Centre on August 16, followed by a similar event at Hamilton’s Waikato Indian Association Hall on August 17. These celebrations will showcase a unique collaboration of Māori and Indian culture, including a cross-cultural fashion show curated by the Whiria Collective and India’s CD Foundation.

As the celebrations unfold, the Indian community in New Zealand not only commemorates its heritage but also strengthens its presence and influence in the multicultural landscape of the nation.