Krish Naidu, president of the Fiji Girmit Foundation New Zealand, meets Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Auckland. Photo: Supplied
A round-up of community activities from across the country:
Girmit Remembrance Day commemorated
The Fiji Girmit Foundation New Zealand marked Girmit Remembrance Day on 17 May in Auckland's Mangere neighbourhood, with more than 1500 people in attendance.
"Among these were staff from the Fiji Archives who have been assisting attendees in tracing Girmit records and exploring their ancestral connections to India," said Krish Naidu, president of the foundation.
On 14 May, 1879, a ship named The Leonidas docked in Fiji with 463 Indian indentured labourers who were sent to the Pacific to work in sugar cane plantations.
Over the next 37 years, more than 60,500 people were transferred from all parts of British India to work in Fiji.
These workers came to be known as the Girmitiyas, as they were bound by a girmit - a Hindi pronunciation of the English word "agreement".
A key focus of the evening was a long-standing demand by the community to reclassify Indo-Fijians in official statistics.
"Since 2019, the foundation has campaigned for Fijian Indians to be recognised as Pacific peoples rather than being grouped under the broader Asian category by Stats NZ. It was therefore a significant moment when Prime Minister [Chirstopher] Luxon, in his speech, acknowledged the community's concerns and announced that Stats NZ had been instructed to review the classification and engage in community consultation with speed," Naidu said.
"While we proudly acknowledge our Indian ancestry, we are also people of Fiji - of the Pacific. It is time to review New Zealand's Pacific peoples' policy. Where do Fiji Indians stand? Why are we continuously left in the grey space - not fully recognised, not fully understood, not fully supported."
A similar event is being organised in Wellington by the Fiji Indian Association on 31 May.
Peace vigil for Kashmir
A small number of people gathered in Auckland's Aotea Square on 18 May for a candlelight vigil organised by members of New Zealand's South Asian communities.
Calling for peace in the Indian subcontinent, New Zealanders of Indian and Pakistani descent expressed solidarity with victims of the recent skirmish between the two South Asian nuclear weapon-armed nations.
Anu Kaloti, a migrant rights advocate of Indian origin, said numerous lives had been lost in the clashes between India and Pakistan over the years.
"Today we stand here in solidarity with the victims and their families," Kaloti said.
"We want both countries to sit down and resolve all matters in a peaceful manner."
Hina Nasir, who migrated from Pakistan a decade ago, agreed.
"Let's come together and foster a peaceful relationship," Nasir said.
Police officers, community leaders, and patrol volunteers in front of the Gurudwara on 14 April at the launch of Takanini Community Patrol. Photo: Supplied
Community patrol launched in Takanini
Takanini Community Patrol was launched in April after an 18-month joint effort between Community Patrols of New Zealand and New Zealand Police, with support from the Supreme Sikh Society.
"The new service includes two new community patrol vehicles to help prevent crime and reduce harm in the local area," police said in a statement.
The launch event was held at Gurdwara Sri Kalgidhar Sahib in South Auckland's Takanini on 14 April.
Indian car manufacturer Mahindra donated two vehicles to kickstart operations.
Counties Manukau District Commander Superintendent Shanan Gray acknowledged community concerns around some of the behaviour in the Takanini area.
"Our patrols have ... focused on engaging with our community, but the issues aren't something that police alone can solve," Gray said.
"We are continuing to work with both the community and our partner agencies to address any concerns. These volunteers are our eyes and ears and are part of the police family."
Fraud warning
The Indian High Commission in Wellington has warned people to exercise caution when receiving phone calls from fraudsters claiming to be duty officers from the mission who ask respondents to transfer money to a bank account.
"It may be advised that High Commission of India and the Auckland Consulate never seek such details over call," the High Commission said in a statement.
"If you receive any such call, please do not share any personal details, such as travel plans and bank details.
"In case of any concern or doubt, people can reach the High Commission on hoc.Wellington@mea.gov.in."
The Indian mission encouraged the community to report all such incidents to relevant authorities such as the police.
