Indian Cultural Society Waikato Brings Māori and Indian Communities Together

The Indian Cultural Society (Waikato) was honoured to host a special community hui at Trust Waikato, bringing together Māori, Indian and wider South Asian communities in a spirit of reconciliation, understanding and unity.

The gathering provided an opportunity for open and respectful dialogue, reinforcing the importance of building stronger relationships between communities. A significant moment of the event was the presentation of a pounamu (greenstone) named Te Aroha by former Te Pāti Māori President Che Wilson to the Indian and South Asian communities. The pounamu was received by Jujhar Singh Randhawa, President of the Indian Cultural Society (Waikato), as a symbol of friendship, healing and a shared commitment to moving forward together.

The Society sincerely thanks all community leaders, guests and volunteers who participated in this meaningful occasion. We believe that honest conversations, mutual respect and cultural understanding are the foundation of a stronger and more inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand.

The event has received national media attention and was featured by RNZ. You can read their coverage here: Māori-Indian gathering in Waikato – RNZ News. The article highlights the significance of the hui and its role in fostering reconciliation and unity between Māori and Indian communities.