Holi Draws Thousands Across New Zealand as South Asian Communities Celebrate
South Asian communities across New Zealand turned out in force to celebrate Holi in 2026, with the Waitakere Indian Association drawing more than 7,000 people to Henderson Trust Arena in Auckland for one of the country's largest Festivals of Colours. Holika Dahan was observed on 2 March and Rangwali Holi on 4 March, with festivities continuing across multiple cities through the end of the month. Alongside these nationwide celebrations, Christchurch's South Asian Hindu community has long maintained its own rich calendar of observances, supported by institutions including BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Papanui and the city's ISKCON community, which faced devastating losses when the Christchurch earthquake destroyed its temple and deities beyond repair.
🎉 Holi 2026 Draws Over 7,000 Nationwide
More than 7,000 people attended one of Auckland's largest Holi celebrations at Henderson Trust Arena on Sunday, organised by the Waitakere Indian Association, as South Asian communities across New Zealand marked the Festival of Colours. While several Holi events were held earlier in March, festivities continued across the country through the end of the month. The Auckland gathering featured coloured powders, music, dance, and food. Holika Dahan was observed on 2 March, with bonfires lit to symbolise the victory of good over evil. Rangwali Holi, also known as Dhulandi, followed on 4 March, when participants threw coloured water and powder while singing, dancing, and enjoying festive foods. The festival also marks the arrival of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Among the legends associated with Holi is the story of Prahlad and Holika, in which Prahlad's unwavering devotion to Lord Vishnu protected him from the flames while his aunt met her end. Another legend involves Lord Krishna playfully applying colours to Radha, beginning the tradition of smearing coloured powder and infusing the festival with elements of romance and joy. In Auckland, construction at a Kumeu temple meant Krishna Holi was not held there this year, but many community groups organised their own events across the city. Tauranga's Memorial Park also hosted a large Holi Colour Splash event drawing significant crowds from across the region. [2]
🪔 BAPS Christchurch Mandir Marks Diwali and Annakut
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Christchurch, located at 19 Frank Street, Papanui, hosted Diwali and Annakut Celebrations on Saturday, 17 November 2018, with the occasion documented in an eight-image gallery published on the mandir's website. The Christchurch mandir, reachable at +64 3 354 6665, operates under BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, a global organisation with a mandir presence across New Zealand. The mandir provides programmes spanning learning, exploration, visitation, inspiration, and community connection, reflecting its role as a spiritual and cultural centre for South Asian families in Canterbury. Diwali and Annakut are two closely linked observances in the Swaminarayan Hindu calendar: Diwali marks the Festival of Lights, while Annakut follows as a devotional celebration centred on the offering of food to the deity. The gallery on the mandir website preserves eight images from the 2018 event, providing a visual record of the community gathering and the festive spirit of the occasion. BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha has maintained a web presence since 1999 and continues to serve devotees through its Christchurch location, which stands as a spiritual anchor for the South Asian diaspora in New Zealand's South Island, nurturing Hindu faith and cultural identity across generations of the community. [1]
ISKCON Christchurch Temple Destroyed Beyond Repair
An article published on ISKCON News, titled Christchurch Quake Destroys Deities and Temple Beyond Repair, documents the devastating impact of the Christchurch earthquake on the local International Society for Krishna Consciousness community. The report, filed under the Australasia section of ISKCON News, records that the earthquake destroyed the temple's sacred deities and rendered the building itself beyond repair. ISKCON News is the news outlet of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, whose Founder-Acharya is A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, as referenced in the source. The site covers developments across regions including North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Australasia, with outreach activities including food relief, book distribution, and environmental programmes also highlighted as part of ISKCON's global mission. The destruction of consecrated deities and a place of worship represents a profound loss for the Vaishnava Hindu community in Christchurch. ISKCON temples serve as centres of worship, community, and cultural preservation for South Asian and broader communities devoted to Krishna bhakti, and the loss of the Christchurch temple marked a significant moment in the history of this community in New Zealand's South Island. [3]
Sources: [2] rnz.co.nz · [1] BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha · [3] ISKCON News