Indian Community Celebrates 79th Independence Day Across New Zealand

Indian communities across New Zealand commemorated the nation’s 79th Independence Day on August 15, 2023, with vibrant celebrations that included cultural performances and patriotic displays. Events took place in major cities such as Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Palmerston North, featuring flag hoisting ceremonies and community gatherings.

At the High Commission in Wellington, over 400 attendees witnessed the Indian National flag being raised by High Commissioner Neeta Bhushan. She also shared excerpts from the annual address of Indian President Droupadi Murmu, reflecting on the significance of independence achieved on August 15, 1947, after two centuries of British rule. The event showcased a variety of patriotic songs and cultural performances from students of the Wellington Hindi School and Khandallah School, adding a festive atmosphere to the proceedings.

Community Engagement and Cultural Exchange

In Auckland, the celebrations were led by Madan Mohan Sethi, the Consul General of India. He expressed optimism about a new era of friendship between New Zealand and India, highlighting the growing presence of the Indian community, now the third largest in the country. During the event, Veer Khar, President of the New Zealand Indian Central Association, urged the community to unite for greater political representation.

Members of Parliament of Indian origin, Priyanca Radhakrishnan and Parmjeet Parmar, also participated in the celebrations. Radhakrishnan emphasized the importance of democracy, stating, “Today we celebrate the value of democracy – something worth fighting for.” Parmar added, “For me and my family, both India and New Zealand are home,” underscoring the deep connections within the community.

The Whangārei mayor, Vince Cocurullo, attended the Auckland event and announced plans for future celebrations, including a business meeting and culinary showcase on August 18. These initiatives aim to strengthen ties and celebrate cultural diversity within his district.

Festivities and Culinary Events

This year’s Independence Day celebrations were marked by an expanded program, thanks to the opening of the Indian Consulate General in Auckland in September 2022. “This year, we are organizing a multi-city, multi-day Indian festival titled ‘The World and Us’, bringing together shared values of culture, cuisine, and commerce between India and New Zealand,” Sethi shared with RNZ.

From August 15 to 18, events are scheduled in various cities including Hamilton and Whangārei. An Indian food festival commenced in Auckland, featuring renowned chefs from India, Satyanarayana Pandari and Anuj Mathur, who prepared signature dishes such as Hyderabadi biryani and Bengali fish curry. Culinary educators Prem Ram and Suprabhat Banerjee emphasized the potential for food diplomacy between the two nations, noting the exquisite fusion of Indian cuisine with fresh New Zealand ingredients.

A friendly culinary competition is set to occur on Saturday between Indian and New Zealand chefs, featuring a mystery box challenge. Additionally, cultural evenings will be held at the Dew Drop Events Centre in Auckland on August 16 and at the Waikato Indian Association Hall in Hamilton on August 17. These events, free to the public, will feature performances by Shibani Kashyap, one of India’s top singers, along with a cross-cultural fashion show curated by Whiria Collective and India’s CD Foundation.

As the celebrations continue, the Indian community in New Zealand reflects on its heritage while actively contributing to the cultural landscape of their adopted country.