Photo: Facebook / Arasan NZ Trust
A round-up of community activities from across the country:
NZICA organises a youth conference
The New Zealand Indian Central Association organised a youth conference at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Auckland on 25 November. Around 200 participants from across the country attended the event.
"This was the biggest event ever, and we will have more of these in the future," said Narendra Bhana, president of the association.
The conference aimed to address crucial issues related to the well-being of youth in the Indian community.
Simran Kaur, Jazz Thornton and members from Indian Origin Pride New Zealand led discussions at the conference.
The Sindhi community celebrating the Sindhi Cultural Day in Auckland on 16 December. Photo: Supplied
Sindhi Cultural Day celebrated in Auckland
Sindhi Sangat New Zealand organised Sindhi Cultural Day in Auckland on 16 December. More than 20 families came together to share their rich Sindhi heritage, showcasing the beauty of Sindhi traditions, music and food.
Dressed in traditional attire, including colourful Ajrak, shawls and Sindhi caps, the community presented a vibrant tableau of their cultural pride.
"Beyond the festivities, the event served as a significant platform to highlight the importance of the historic Indus Valley civilization, which flourished in Sindh (modern-day Pakistan) thousands of years ago," said Umair Memon, president of Sindhi Sangat New Zealand. "This day is a vital event for our community to connect with our roots and share our heritage with others."
Hare Krishna Auckland organises multiple rath yatras
Auckland's Hare Krishna community organised a series of nine rath yatras (public processions in a chariot) across the city, as well as in Hamilton and Thames, from 25 November to 16 December. Auckland's parade took place in along Queen Street and ended at Mission Bay. Attended by hundreds of chanting and dancing devotees, the day saw a chariot procession of Hindu gods Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra.
Guru Nanak's birth anniversary celebrated at Papatoetoe's gurudwara. Photo: Supplied / Navtej Randhawa
Guru Nanak's birth anniversary celebrated
Wellington-based community organisation Ekta New Zealand celebrated the 554th birthday of Guru Nanak, founder of the Sikh faith, at the Parliament precincts on 27 November.
The event saw speeches, interfaith prayers and a vegetarian lunch. Similar celebrations took place at gurdwaras around the country, including at Guru Teg Bahadur Gurudwara in Auckland's Papatoetoe and Takanini Gurudwara Sahib.
The day, one of the most important for followers of the Sikh religion, is often marked by a 48-hour nonstop recitation of the Sikh holy book, Guru Granth Sahib.