Huge excitement in New Zealand for 'Kia Ora Modi' event as Auckland prepares to welcome PM Modi
Auckland, July 9
The Indian community in New Zealand is eagerly waiting for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival in Auckland on Friday in what would be the first official visit of an Indian PM to the country in four decades.
In an interview with IANS, former Consul of India in Auckland Bhav Dhillon highlighted the growing bilateral ties between two nations, citing the recently signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the air connectivity agreement. He also described the eagerness of Indian community to welcome PM Modi in New Zealand.
"After 40 years, we are having a visit from the Honourable Prime Minister. Very recently, we signed the FTA, we've signed the Air Connectivity Agreement, and a lot of other positive things have happened in the India-New Zealand ecosystem in the last two years. Prime Minister Modi's visit assumes massive importance because now the Indian diaspora also has increased. We have about 400,000 Indians living in New Zealand and they are all eagerly waiting for him. So, it's very, very important for the whole Indo-Pacific narrative as well," he mentioned.
PM Modi is set to travel to Auckland on Friday for an official visit at the invitation of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. He is scheduled to hold discussions with Luxon on Saturday and review the entire gamut of the bilateral relationship.
During his visit, PM Modi will also interact with prominent business and sports personalities. He will also address a large gathering of the Indian community in New Zealand.
"New Zealand is very, very advanced in agri-technology and also in general high-tech goods and services. So, Indian businesses can cooperate, do joint ventures with New Zealand businesses and set up things which will help the agriculture industry in New Zealand. The other thing big is about students, the mobility. Students from India can come and study here and gain valid things," Dhillon stated.
He added that the Indian community is quite excited to attend the welcome reception for PM Modi, celebrated by diaspora as 'Kia Ora Modi', in New Zealand. He said that around 10,000-12,000 members of Indian community are expected to attend the event.
"PM Modi is here only for a day. The community has been waiting for an Indian PM for over four decades. So, they have set up a very large grand community welcome reception in an aptly called 'Kia Ora Modi' event which is at Spark Arena. We are hoping to have about 10 to 12,000 people there and I think that'll be the biggest ever event like that to have happened in New Zealand."
PM Modi's visit to New Zealand comes after PM Luxon's trip to India in March 2025.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The 'Kia Ora Modi' event at Spark Arena with 10,000-12,000 attendees sounds incredible! It's heartwarming to see how Indian communities abroad maintain such strong cultural bonds. I hope this visit leads to more student exchange programs and research collaborations between Indian and NZ universities.
While I appreciate the visit, I hope the focus isn't just on photo opportunities. The real test will be in tangible outcomes - more jobs for Indian IT professionals in NZ, better trade terms for our farmers, and faster visa processing. Let's see how much substance this 'historic' trip actually delivers.
The Indo-Pacific narrative is key here. With China's growing influence in the Pacific, India's engagement with NZ is strategically important. The fact that we're discussing agri-tech partnerships and student mobility shows a mature relationship. Well done to both governments for making this happen.
Yaar, imagine being an Indian in NZ right now! After 40 years, finally a PM visit. The 10,000+ crowd at 'Kia Ora Modi' will be electric. I'm sure the Indian community there must be feeling so proud and emotional. More power to India-NZ relations! 🇮🇳🤝🇳🇿
It's great that PM Modi is meeting business and sports personalities too. NZ might not be huge in population but they punch above their weight in agriculture technology, dairy, and sports science. Indian companies should definitely explore joint ventures there. This could be a win-win.
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