AUCKLAND, 19 July 2026
Hundreds of people gathered at Mt Roskill War Memorial Hall in Auckland on Saturday evening for Harela Utsav 2026, a major cultural celebration organised by the Uttarakhand Association of New Zealand.
The event, held on 18 July 2026 from 5pm, brought together families, children, community leaders, Members of Parliament, representatives of New Zealand Police, sponsors and invited guests for an evening celebrating Uttarakhand’s culture, environmental values and community spirit.
Webfit News attended the full-house event, which featured cultural performances, traditional dances, songs, a fun quiz competition, a traditional Uttarakhandi dress competition for men and women, community speeches and a shared meal.
The programme reflected the theme promoted by the organisers: “Our Culture, Our Nature, Our Pride.”
Event details
Event: Harela Utsav 2026
Organiser: Uttarakhand Association of New Zealand
Date: Saturday, 18 July 2026
Time: From 5pm
Venue: Mt Roskill War Memorial Hall, Auckland
Programme: Cultural performances, traditional dance, songs, quiz competition, traditional dress competition and community activities
Webfit News attended the event on Saturday, 18 July 2026. This article was published on Sunday, 19 July 2026.
A packed cultural programme
The evening offered a wide-ranging programme designed for all generations.
Young performers and adult community members presented traditional music and dance inspired by the Garhwal and Kumaon regions of Uttarakhand. The colourful costumes, regional songs and confident performances drew an enthusiastic response from the audience.
A traditional Uttarakhandi dress competition encouraged participants to proudly showcase clothing connected with the Himalayan state, while the quiz competition added a relaxed and entertaining element to the programme.
The event also included community stalls, sponsor displays and food service, creating a busy and welcoming atmosphere throughout the venue.
The presence of children in traditional dress was one of the most memorable parts of the evening, showing the association’s effort to pass language, customs and cultural knowledge to younger generations growing up in New Zealand.
Families filled the venue, with grandparents, parents and children celebrating together. Their participation demonstrated the important role cultural organisations play in helping young New Zealanders remain connected to their heritage.
Harela ritual at the centre of the celebration
The ceremonial Harela display, featuring fresh green shoots, was placed at the centre of the stage alongside a traditional lamp and ritual items.
Guests and community representatives took part in the lamp-lighting ceremony, formally opening the celebration and recognising Harela’s connection with prosperity, agriculture, nature and new beginnings.
The beautifully decorated Harela tray became the symbolic centrepiece of the ceremony, reflecting one of Uttarakhand’s most cherished traditions.
Harela is traditionally associated with the monsoon season and the beginning of a new agricultural cycle. It also carries a wider message about planting trees, protecting the environment and recognising humanity’s dependence on nature.
The Auckland celebration brought those values into a New Zealand setting, creating a strong connection between Uttarakhand’s environmental traditions and the Māori principle of kaitiakitanga, or guardianship of the environment.
A festival rooted in nature
Harela is one of Uttarakhand’s most significant festivals and is celebrated each year to mark the arrival of the monsoon and the beginning of a new agricultural season.
The festival encourages people to plant trees, protect nature and express gratitude for the environment that sustains life. It also symbolises prosperity, renewal, family wellbeing and the close relationship between communities and the land.
For Uttarakhandis living overseas, Harela provides an opportunity to preserve cultural practices while teaching younger generations about the values and traditions connected with their ancestral homeland.
About Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand is a Himalayan state in northern India known for its mountain landscapes, spiritual heritage, traditional culture and natural beauty.
The state was formed on 9 November 2000 as India’s 27th state. It shares international borders with China, or Tibet, in the north and Nepal in the east.
Uttarakhand is divided into two major regions, Garhwal and Kumaon, and includes 13 districts.
Known across India as Dev Bhoomi, or the “Land of Gods”, Uttarakhand is home to some of Hinduism’s most sacred pilgrimage sites. These include the Char Dham destinations of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, which are located among the Himalayan mountains.
The state is recognised for its natural beauty, cultural heritage, food, folklore and the hardworking nature of its people.
While agriculture remains an important sector, Uttarakhand has also developed in tourism, hydropower, information technology, biotechnology, medicine, pharmaceuticals, automobile manufacturing, engineering and education.
People from Uttarakhand can be found working across many industries in India and around the world, including in New Zealand.
From disaster relief to a thriving community organisation
The story of the Uttarakhand Association of New Zealand is itself one of compassion, service and community responsibility.
Following the devastating Himalayan floods and disaster that struck Uttarakhand in 2013, a small group of Auckland residents originally from the state came together to support the people affected.
Their relief efforts eventually led to the formation of the Uttarakhand Association of New Zealand, which is the country’s registered charitable organisation representing the people of Uttarakhand.
Over the years, the association has developed into an organisation dedicated not only to preserving culture but also to supporting families, encouraging youth participation, promoting community wellbeing and strengthening relationships across New Zealand’s multicultural society.
The association now provides a platform through which Uttarakhandis can celebrate festivals, share traditions, support community initiatives and maintain meaningful connections with their homeland.
President Chetan Joshi calls for unity, environmental responsibility and cultural pride
Addressing the gathering, UANZ President Chetan Joshi reflected on the deeper meaning behind Harela, reminding attendees that the festival represents far more than tradition.
“Harela is much more than a festival. It is a celebration of life, nature, community and heritage from the beautiful Himalayan state of Uttarakhand.”
Mr Joshi said the festival reminds people that prosperity is closely connected to the wellbeing of the environment and that communities share a responsibility to protect nature for future generations.
Speaking to the audience, he drew a thoughtful connection between the traditions of Uttarakhand and New Zealand’s own environmental values.
“Here in New Zealand, we are fortunate to live in a nation that also holds a deep respect for the land and nature. The Māori concept of kaitiakitanga, the guardianship of the environment, beautifully reflects the spirit of Harela. Together, we share values that strengthen the bond between our two cultures.”
He said that although the community was celebrating thousands of kilometres away from Uttarakhand, its members continued to proudly carry the traditions, values and cultural identity that define them.
Mr Joshi also acknowledged the many volunteers and supporters whose work made the evening possible.
“I sincerely thank every volunteer, sponsor, performer, committee member and family member present here today. Your dedication, generosity and unwavering support continue to make our community stronger and ensure that our traditions flourish for generations to come.”
Concluding his address, Mr Joshi encouraged the community to continue celebrating its heritage while embracing New Zealand’s multicultural identity.
“Let us continue to celebrate our culture with pride, embrace diversity with respect and work together to build an even stronger, even more vibrant community.”
He concluded with the words: “Nā mihi nui, bahut-bahut dhanyavaad, Uttarakhand, Jai Bharat.”
Community leaders and public representatives attend
The celebration attracted a diverse group of distinguished guests, reflecting the growing recognition of New Zealand’s Indian and multicultural communities.
Among those attending were:
- National MP Carlos Cheung
- Labour MP Helen White
- ACT MP Parmjeet Parmar
- Andrew Liu from New Zealand Police
- Bank of Baroda New Zealand Managing Director Sandeep Kheta
Their presence highlighted the importance of cultural organisations in strengthening community engagement and building relationships between public agencies, elected representatives and ethnic communities.
Representatives from New Zealand Police were warmly welcomed during the event, reinforcing the ongoing partnership between Police and Auckland’s diverse communities.
Community leaders praise cultural heritage and community contribution
The celebration featured addresses from several distinguished guests, each recognising the valuable contribution the Uttarakhand Association of New Zealand continues to make in strengthening New Zealand’s multicultural society.
National MP Carlos Cheung congratulated the association on preserving Uttarakhand’s traditions in New Zealand. Reflecting on the recent visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Auckland, he spoke about the growing relationship between New Zealand and India and acknowledged the important role Indian communities play in strengthening cultural and economic ties between the two countries.
Labour MP Helen White praised the warmth, inclusiveness and strong cultural identity displayed throughout the celebration. In a light-hearted moment that drew smiles from the audience, she joked that while Harela celebrates nature and the colour green, her own political colour may be red, but environmental responsibility and community spirit are values everyone can support.
ACT MP Parmjeet Parmar congratulated the organisers for bringing together different generations through culture and tradition. She recognised the dedication of the volunteers and executive members whose work helps preserve Indian heritage while contributing positively to New Zealand’s multicultural landscape.
Representing New Zealand Police, Andrew Liu expressed his appreciation for being invited to the celebration and commended the Uttarakhand community for its strong community spirit. He spoke warmly about the cultural richness of the event and the importance of building trust, understanding and respectful relationships between Police and Auckland’s diverse communities.
Bank of Baroda New Zealand Managing Director Sandeep Kheta also addressed the gathering, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to take part in the celebration. He congratulated President Chetan Joshi, the executive committee and the wider Uttarakhand community for organising a successful event.
Mr Kheta also thanked the association’s executive members for inviting Bank of Baroda to support the programme and acknowledged the volunteers whose dedication continues to keep Uttarakhand’s traditions alive while strengthening community connections across New Zealand.
A celebration for every generation
Throughout the evening, the stage came alive with cultural performances featuring traditional dance, music and regional costumes representing Uttarakhand’s rich heritage.
Young performers confidently presented traditional dances while children dressed in colourful cultural clothing delighted the audience.
The performances reflected the diversity of Uttarakhand’s Garhwal and Kumaon regions and showed how dance, music and clothing can carry stories and traditions from one generation to another.
For many families, the event provided an opportunity to introduce children born or raised in New Zealand to the customs of their parents and grandparents.
The combination of traditional performances, public speeches, community activities and shared food created an atmosphere that was both celebratory and meaningful.
Sponsors and community support
Sponsors and community businesses also contributed to the event’s success.
Bank of Baroda New Zealand was prominently represented, with information displays available for attendees. Community stalls and food providers added to the festive atmosphere and gave visitors opportunities to connect with local businesses and services.
The organisers acknowledged that large cultural events depend heavily on volunteers, sponsors, performers and families working together.
Their collective contribution helped transform the hall into a welcoming community space filled with music, traditional clothing, conversation and cultural pride.
Strengthening New Zealand’s multicultural future
Events such as Harela Utsav have become increasingly important as New Zealand’s multicultural communities continue to grow.
They provide opportunities not only for preserving cultural traditions but also for introducing those traditions to wider New Zealand society.
They encourage understanding, friendship and mutual respect across communities while giving younger generations confidence in their cultural identity.
The evening reflected values shared by both Uttarakhand and New Zealand, including respect for nature, community service, family, volunteerism and cultural diversity.
The presence of political representatives, New Zealand Police, business leaders and community organisations also demonstrated how cultural celebrations can create meaningful connections across different parts of society.
Webfit News observation
From the opening Harela ceremony to the final cultural performances, the event showcased the strength of a community that remains deeply connected to its roots while proudly embracing life in New Zealand.
Under the leadership of President Chetan Joshi, the Uttarakhand Association of New Zealand continues to lead from the front. What began as a charitable initiative in response to the 2013 Uttarakhand disaster has grown into one of New Zealand’s active regional Indian organisations, preserving culture, supporting families, encouraging youth participation and building meaningful partnerships across the wider community.
The success of this year’s Harela Utsav was evident not only in the large turnout but also in the strong participation of elected representatives, New Zealand Police, community organisations, sponsors and volunteers.
Their collective presence reflected the respect the association has earned over the years through consistent service and community engagement.
The Uttarakhand Association of New Zealand deserves recognition for organising an event that was professionally managed, well attended and inclusive, bringing elected representatives, public agencies, business supporters, volunteers and families together under one roof.
As the audience applauded the performances and families gathered to celebrate together, one message resonated throughout the evening: although separated from the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand by thousands of kilometres, its traditions, values and spirit continue to flourish in New Zealand, inspiring future generations while enriching the country’s multicultural fabric.
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