The Johnsonville Community Hall, Wellington, hosted a vibrant Raksha Bandhan celebration on Sunday, 10 August 2025, drawing dignitaries, community leaders, and families for a day of tradition, cultural performances, and the symbolic tying of rakhis.
Participant Shilpa Ranchord described the gathering as a celebration that transcended cultural boundaries, calling it “a love and protection bond between all religions and nationalities of Aotearoa” where “a warmth of oneness” was felt by all.
Photo: Supplied
Organised by the Hindu Organisations, Temples and Associations (HOTA) Forum — led by the Hindu Council of New Zealand (HCNZ, Wellington) in association with the Indian High Commission and the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO, Wellington) — the free public event celebrated the festival’s message of love, respect, and mutual protection.
This year’s theme, We are one whānau, protecting each other, expanded the custom of rakhi-tying to include first responders from Fire and Emergency New Zealand, New Zealand Police, and St John Ambulance. Community leaders were also recognised for their service.
High Commissioner Neeta Bhushan, in her keynote address, spoke about the festival’s role in strengthening bonds between
The event also featured a safety workshop with NZ Police Ethnic and Asian Liaison Officer Sergeant Yin Zhu (John) and fire safety advice from Firefighter Stewart, who offered free smoke alarms to attendees.
Sponsored by the Indian High Commission, Wed In Style Ltd, and Dress Circle@21, the festival concluded with a Raksha Bandhan song by Anuradha Gupta, the exchange of rakhis, and shared refreshments. Organisers announced plans to form a HOTA Wellington Team in September to coordinate future events, in the presence of HOTA Forum founder Swami Vigyananand ji.