Indian Community Celebrates India’s 79th Independence Day in New Zealand

Indian communities across New Zealand marked India’s 79th Independence Day on August 15, 2023, with celebrations featuring cultural performances, flag hoisting ceremonies, and community gatherings. Events took place in major cities, including Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Palmerston North, drawing over 400 attendees to the Indian High Commission in Wellington alone.

At the High Commission, Neeta Bhushan, the High Commissioner of India to New Zealand, hoisted the Indian National Flag. She also read excerpts from the annual address delivered by Indian President Droupadi Murmu. The event showcased patriotic songs and cultural performances by students from the Wellington Hindi School and Khandallah School. Dance acts were presented by the Shivam Dance Academy, Sri Chakra School of Fine Arts, and the Wellington Marathi Association, adding vibrancy to the celebration.

In Auckland, Madan Mohan Sethi, the Consul General of India, led similar festivities, emphasizing the beginning of a new era of friendship between India and New Zealand. He congratulated the Indian community, which is now the third largest ethnic group in New Zealand, on this significant occasion. During the event, Veer Khar, President of the New Zealand Indian Central Association, urged the community to unify and pursue greater political representation.

The celebrations highlighted the contributions of Indian-origin politicians in Parliament. Priyanca Radhakrishnan and Parmjeet Parmar reflected on their Indian roots, with Radhakrishnan 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.”

In a display of community engagement, Vince Cocurullo, Mayor of Whangārei, attended the Auckland event and expressed interest in hosting part of the celebrations in his district. A business meeting and culinary showcase, organized by the Whangārei District Council and the Indian Consulate, is scheduled for August 18, 2023.

This year’s festivities are particularly noteworthy due to the opening of the Indian Consulate General in Auckland in September 2022, which has enhanced the scale of the celebrations. Sethi announced a multi-city festival titled ‘The World and Us’, designed to highlight the shared cultural, culinary, and commercial ties between India and New Zealand. Events are set to continue from August 15 to 18, with activities planned in Wellington, Auckland, Hamilton, and Whangārei.

To celebrate Indian cuisine, an Indian food festival commenced at Auckland’s North Shore, featuring renowned chefs Satyanarayana Pandari and Anuj Mathur, who prepared signature dishes such as Hyderabadi biryani and Bengali fish curry. They were joined by culinary educators Prem Ram and Suprabhat Banerjee, who emphasized the importance of food diplomacy between India and New Zealand. Ram remarked, “Indian cuisine is so diverse it can be combined with any other cuisine of the world. Add to it the freshness of New Zealand ingredients, and we can create something special.”

The celebrations will also include a friendly Masterchef competition featuring Indian and New Zealand chefs, as well as cultural evenings at Auckland’s Dew Drop Events Centre on August 16 and at Hamilton’s Waikato Indian Association Hall on August 17. These events, which are free to attend, will be led by Shibani Kashyap, one of India’s top singers. The audience can also look forward to a unique cross-cultural fashion show curated by the Whiria Collective and India’s CD Foundation.

Through these diverse celebrations, the Indian community in New Zealand not only commemorates its heritage but also fosters connections between cultures, enhancing the diplomatic relationship between the two nations.