Indian Independence Day celebrations in 2024. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom
With the opening of an Indian Consulate General in Auckland in September last year, celebrations for the 79th anniversary of India's Independence Day promise to be bigger and better next month.
"This year we are organising a multi-city, multi-day Indian festival titled 'The World and Us', bringing together the shared values of culture, cuisine and commerce between India and New Zealand," said Madan Mohan Sethi, consul general of India in Auckland.
The celebrations will run from 15-18 August, with events held in Wellington, Auckland, Hamilton and Whangārei.
While the Indian High Commission in Wellington and Consulate General of India in Auckland will lead celebrations, several community organisations, including the New Zealand Indian Central Association, Waikato Indian Association and the Northland Indian Association are aiding efforts.
In Wellington, the Indian High Commission will hold its annual flag hoisting ceremony, followed by a few cultural performances, at its premises in the capital on the morning of 15 August.
A similar function will be held in Auckland at Mount Eden's Mahatma Gandhi Centre on the same day, followed by a community reception in the evening.
India achieved independence after two centuries of British rule on 15 August 1947.
Indians and people of Indian origin all over the world typically come together around this date to mark the independence struggle each year.
"[In the afternoon of 15 August] we will have a food festival in Auckland's North Shore, which will showcase Indian culinary excellence with participation of top chefs from India," Sethi said.
"Then, on 16 August, Indian and New Zealand chefs will participate in a friendly Masterchef competition featuring a mystery box challenge," he said.
"A panel of judges will select the dish of the day, recognising creativity and cross-cultural flavours."
The organisers have also planned a cultural evening at Auckland's Dew Drop Events Centre on 16 August and at Hamilton's Waikato Indian Association Hall on 17 August.
It will be led by one of India's top singers, Shibani Kashyap, and renowned Odissi (an Indian classical dance) danseuse Kavita Dwivedi.
"Other inclusions will be a haka performance by Whiria Collective - honouring Māori traditions - as well as a fashion show featuring designers from New Zealand and India, and curated by Whiria Collective and India's CD Foundation," Sethi said.
Whangārei District Council has also partnered with the Indian Consulate to host a business meeting and culinary showcase on 18 August in Whangārei.
"This will be the final day of celebrations where we will host a networking event involving Indian and New Zealand business stakeholders, along with a culinary presentation by Indian chefs to celebrate food diplomacy," he said.
