24 Sep 2021

Auckland's Diwali festival cancelled

2:12 pm on 24 September 2021

The Auckland Diwali Festival has been cancelled due to Covid-19.

Children clamber over Diwali sign to pose for photograhs.

Auckland celebrates Diwali in 2019. Photo: Kethaki Masilamani

The Festival, celebrating a holy day in the Hindu calendar, is hugely popular among Auckland's 250,000-strong Indian population.

The organiser, Auckland Unlimited, said the festival slated for the end of October could not go ahead until the city is in Alert Level 1.

It has planned to organise some online activities instead.

Mayor Phil Goff said it was disappointing but understandable.

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