Excitement is building across the Indian community in New Zealand and preparations are in full swing to extend a grand welcome to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is expected to arrive in early July.
His will be the first visit by an Indian prime minister in past 40 years. The last visit was by Rajiv Gandhi in 1986.
Even as Indian and New Zealand officials remain tight-lipped about the actual date of Modi’s visit, but according to some reliable sources, he is expected to arrive in Auckland on 11 July.
During his trip to this region, he is likely to visit Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand before returning home.
Even though an official announcement from the authorities is still awaited, a grand public event, called ‘Kia Ora Modi’ is already being planned to be held in Auckland. Spark Arena and Eden Park are the possible venues for holding the event. India’s Consulate officials are believed to have already visited these venues to finalise logistical details for the proposed event.
Spark Arena is New Zealand’s largest indoor arena with 13,000+ capacity venue in the heart of Auckland’s city centre. As on date, the arena’s website, however, does not yet show any booking relating to Modi’s proposed event. As the gathering may exceed more than Arena’s capacity, Eden Park is also being seriously considered.
The number of people expected to turn up for this large community event is expected to be far more than the capacity available. As the gathering may exceed more than Arena’s capacity, Eden Park is also being seriously considered. Entry to the event is likely to be restricted to invitees only and an online portal link is expected to become alive once the date is confirmed for public to register.
Earlier this month, a couple of information sessions have been held by Muanpuii Saiawi, High Commissioner of India to New Zealand, and Auckland-based Consul General Dr. Madan Mohan Sethi with representatives of several Indian diaspora associations across New Zealand.
Two umbrella Indian associations- New Zealand Indian Central Association and NZ-Bharatiya Diaspora Group are understood to be spearheading the hosting of the event in association with the Indian High Commission and other New Zealand agencies.
According to some sources, expenditure is estimated to be around $1.2 million which is expected to be largely met by Indian diaspora units and locally.
Once relatively small, the Indian population in New Zealand today is approximately 292,092, making it the third-largest ethnic group in the country. Auckland is home to the largest share, with over 175,000 residents. As a result, the community exercises significant economic and political influence.
Last month (April) New Zealand and India signed a historic trade agreement which will eliminate or reduces tariffs on 95 percent of New Zealand’s exports.
More than half of New Zealand’s exports to India become duty-free from day one, rising to more than 80 percent over time. Among the services sectors, international education is perhaps the biggest winner.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has already expressed “high enthusiasm for this visit” and also confirmed that a “substantial list of deliverables (is) currently being finalised by both sides for this visit.” New Zealand would also host a high-level business delegation during Indian prime minister’s visit.
