By Webfit News
Auckland, 11 July 2026
A special “Meet and Greet” with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Auckland’s Cordis Hotel became an emotional and memorable occasion for members of New Zealand’s Indian community, with attendees describing the evening as a historic celebration of identity, pride and belonging.
Around 400 invited guests were understood to have attended the gathering, where anticipation built for several hours before the Prime Minister entered the hall.
The event formed part of the wider “Kia Ora Modi” celebrations surrounding Mr Modi’s visit to New Zealand, a visit that has generated strong interest across the Kiwi-Indian community.
For many of those present, the evening was not simply about seeing a visiting political leader. It was also about reconnecting with India while affirming their lives and identities as proud New Zealanders.
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A special thank you to the Consulate General of India in Auckland for organising this memorable meet and greet and giving members of the Kiwi-Indian community the opportunity to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Anticipation Builds Inside the Cordis
Guests gathered at the Cordis Hotel and waited for Mr Modi’s arrival following the landing of his aircraft in Auckland.
According to an attendee who shared an eyewitness account of the event, the atmosphere inside the hall became increasingly energetic as the evening progressed.
Patriotic slogans and repeated chants of “Modi, Modi” echoed through the venue as guests waited for the Prime Minister to arrive.
The attendee described the anticipation as intense and deeply emotional, with every passing minute adding to the sense that those present were about to witness an important moment.
Many guests hoped for only a brief personal interaction, such as a handshake, a namaste or a close-up glimpse of the Indian Prime Minister.
For some, that brief moment was enough to make the evening unforgettable.
The Moment Narendra Modi Entered the Hall
When Mr Modi entered the gathering, the mood changed immediately.
Guests rose, cheered and welcomed him with loud applause and patriotic slogans.
The eyewitness account described the hall as coming alive “as one”, with expressions of joy, pride, admiration and excitement spreading through the crowd.
The response reflected the strong emotional connection many overseas Indians continue to maintain with India, even after building their lives in another country.
For the Kiwi-Indians present, the occasion brought together two parts of their identity.
They were celebrating as members of the Indian diaspora, while also recognising New Zealand as their home.
Proud Kiwis With Deep Indian Roots
One of the strongest themes to emerge from the gathering was the dual identity shared by many members of the community.
Attendees spoke of being proud New Zealanders who have built families, careers and futures in Aotearoa.
At the same time, they also described an enduring emotional connection to India.
“We are New Zealanders. This is our home, and we are very proud of our new home,” the attendee wrote.
“But tonight was a vivid reminder of something extraordinarily beautiful: our roots in India run deep, and that emotional connection will live in us forever.”
That sentiment reflects the experience of many migrant communities who develop a deep commitment to their adopted country without losing their cultural, emotional and family connections to the country of their birth.
The Cordis gathering provided a public expression of that layered identity.
Guests were not being asked to choose between India and New Zealand. Instead, the evening celebrated the ability to belong to both.
A Personal Memory for Those Who Attended
For many guests, the event was remembered through small personal moments.
A handshake, eye contact, a greeting or a namaste with Mr Modi became the highlight of the evening.
The attendee described the gathering as a “one of a kind” experience that would remain with them forever.
Some guests had waited for hours simply for the opportunity to stand close to the Prime Minister for a few seconds.
Those moments may appear brief, but for supporters and members of the diaspora, they can carry considerable emotional meaning.
The evening became a combination of celebration and reflection, with cheers, smiles and tears visible across the hall.
More Than a Political Visit
Mr Modi’s visit has carried a strong diplomatic and economic agenda, including discussions on trade, security, education, technology, tourism and the wider New Zealand-India relationship.
However, events such as the Cordis Hotel meet and greet reveal another important dimension of the visit.
The Indian diaspora plays a central role in connecting the two countries.
Kiwi-Indians contribute across business, healthcare, technology, education, community leadership, the arts and professional services.
Their personal and family networks also create social and cultural links that support the wider bilateral relationship.
The warmth seen at the Cordis was therefore more than personal admiration for one leader. It was also a visible demonstration of the growing confidence, presence and influence of the Indian community in New Zealand.
Community Pride on Display
The gathering showed how a political visit can become a cultural and community occasion.
Guests expressed pride in India’s international profile while also celebrating the success of the Indian community in New Zealand.
The hall was filled with patriotic slogans, emotional greetings and a sense of shared history.
For some, the evening represented a connection to childhood, family traditions and memories of India.
For others, particularly younger New Zealand-born attendees, it may have offered a direct connection to the country of their parents and grandparents.
The event also demonstrated how diaspora identity continues to evolve.
The community is increasingly confident in expressing its Indian heritage while remaining firmly rooted in New Zealand society.
A Moment of Joy, Pride and Belonging
The Cordis Hotel meet and greet will likely be remembered by attendees as one of the most personal moments of Mr Modi’s New Zealand visit.
The evening brought together pride in India, gratitude towards New Zealand and the shared experience of migration.
It was, in the words of one attendee, a demonstration of “joy, pride, cheers and tears”.
For those present, the occasion reinforced a simple but powerful message.
Aotearoa is home.
India remains part of the heart.
And for many Kiwi-Indians, both truths can exist together with equal pride.
Source Note
This article is based on an eyewitness account shared by an invited attendee at the “Kia Ora Modi” meet and greet held at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland.
