Twelve reasons why the Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame stands apart

The Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame – as it is popularly known in the community – is a collection of the three biggest awards in the community, celebrating the achievements of rare individuals who have been trailblazers in their respective fields and have left a profound impact on the community.

The evening is known for its glitter and sophistication, with guests often praising its classiness and flawless execution, making it an enjoyable and memorable event.

What has made this award ceremony one of the finest showcases of the Kiwi-Indian community in New Zealand, and one of the country’s most sought-after community events, is its glamour, vibrant atmosphere, networking opportunities, celebrity presence and more.

Here are twelve factors that make the Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame one of the most unique and fashionable events in the community.

1. Glitz and Glamour
A packed event hall with more than 600 guests, including movers and shakers of the community dressed in their finest business attire, makes the event truly one of a kind.

2. A Celebration of Community
The Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame is an event for the community — an evening celebrating the contributions of the entire Kiwi-Indian diaspora in New Zealand and the positive changes they have brought to the community. The event hall sees leaders from the Kiwi-Indian and Fijian-Indian communities representing their organisations and wider communities.

3. Celebrity Presence
The Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame has welcomed well-known names from the Indian entertainment industry, adding to the glamour of the evening. Guests over the years have included stand-up comedians Amit Tandon, Manish Tyagi and award-winning singer duo Amaal Malik and Armaan Malik.

4. Masters of Ceremony
The Masters of Ceremony at the Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame over the years have set benchmarks not only in leading the event, but also in entertaining guests with witty anecdotes and polished emceeing skills. Hosts known for their strong stage presence include Newshub anchor Wilhelmina Shrimpton, RNZ producer and presenter Kadambari Gladding. Others include Manish Tyagi, Amit Tandon, Kritika Satija and others.

5. Honouring Excellence
The inductees into the Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame reflect why the honour is regarded as one of the most coveted titles in the Kiwi-Indian community. The inductees include Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Ajit Swaran Singh, Sukhi Turner, Dr Benjamin, Dr Kanti Patel, Anand Satyanand Dr Sharad Paul, Roshan Nauhria, Hon. Priyanca Radhakrishnan, Gurunathan Krishnasamy and Ella Kumar in the main category.

The Younger Achiever category has honoured New Zealand cricketer Rachin Ravindra, footballer Sarpreet Singh, neuroscientist Dr Malvindar Bains, Muskaan Devta, Shail Kaushal and others, while the Community Service Excellence category has recognised recipients such as Jeet Suchdev, Thakor Parbhu Singh, late Shri Harshad Patel and others.

6. Political and Diplomatic Presence
The event has long attracted a strong political presence, with Members of Parliament and senior politicians gathering under one roof. One senior politician once remarked that “half of the cabinet was in the room”, while another jokingly commented that one could not hope to get elected without attending the awards.

Across the previous seven Hall of Fame events organised by The Indian Weekender, the presence of the Prime Minister of New Zealand as chief guest has remained a defining feature.

Each edition celebrates the political landscape shaping India. The Indian Weekender has been honoured to host distinguished Indian dignitaries at the Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame, including Dr S. Jaishankar, India’s Minister of External Affairs, and General V. K. Singh, former Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army and former Minister of State in the Government of India

7. Networking and Influence
Imagine more than 600 movers and shakers of the community under one roof — networking, exchanging business cards and building new connections. Guests include ministers of the Crown, business leaders, top professionals, senior government officials, the Mayors of Auckland and Invercargill, sponsors and prominent citizens. The event brings together the who’s who of community, business and politics.

8. Entertainment and Performances
The event continues to elevate the glamour and entertainment quotient of the annual celebration. Dance performances, award ceremonies, stand-up comedy and a 20-foot-wide LED screen featuring motion graphics and visuals all contribute to the experience. From Bollywood and Bhangra to mashups, fusion, Great Gatsby-inspired acts and classical Indian performances, guests witness a wide variety of entertainment over the course of the evening.

9. Production and Showmanship
Multiple live cameras moving across the venue, giant LED backdrops, elevated display canvases, projected live-streaming screens, carefully orchestrated music, exclusive winner videos, IWK corporate presentations, high-energy dance performances and launches for upcoming events all contribute to the production value of the evening.

The Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame is regarded as a pinnacle of showbiz and glamour within New Zealand’s annual corporate and community event calendar.

10. Distinguished Addresses
The event also features ceremonial addresses by leaders including former Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt, former Auckland Mayor Phil Goff — who traditionally launched the Auckland Diwali Festival poster at the event — as well as the Prime Minister, who acknowledges the contributions of the Kiwi-Indian community to New Zealand’s diverse and thriving society.

11. Business and Brand Partnerships
Sponsors and businesses supporting The Indian Weekender and the Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame gain visibility among the large audience attending the event. Branding opportunities include LED screens, projected displays, banners, standees, print and digital promotions, social media visibility and mentions during official addresses.

12. NZ-India Power List Top 25
The Indian Weekender’s NZ-India 25 Most Influential list recognises individuals making a difference in New Zealand-India relations. Each year, the latest edition of the list is unveiled at the Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame Awards, highlighting 25 trailblazers contributing significantly to the strengthening of bilateral ties between the two nations.

Wish to know more? Click here