For any queries or complaints, please contact cg.auckland@mea.gov.in directly with all relevant details
Indian consular services in New Zealand are being ramped up, with the newly established Consulate General of India in Auckland aiming to address common concerns from the Kiwi-Indian community, particularly around passport renewals, police clearance certificates, and the surrender of Indian citizenship.
Last week, Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand Neeta Bhushan dismissed growing criticism on social media about delays in services offered by both the Indian High Commission in Wellington and the new consulate in Auckland.
Madan Mohan Sethi, the Consul General at the Auckland office, acknowledged the initial challenges but assured that full functionality is just around the corner.
“All efforts are being made to streamline the processes at our end,” Sethi told RNZ. “We aim to start providing all consular services here in Auckland soon, including OCI [Overseas Citizen of India] and visa services,” he added.
Where does the problem lie?
Speaking at a recent event in Auckland to welcome Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita, High Commissioner Neeta Bhushan pointed to a key issue causing delays—misdirected payments.
“There are a large number of applicants living in Northland, Auckland and Waikato who should send their applications along with the relevant fees to the consulate general in Auckland, but they are not doing that,” she said.
“While they send their applications to the consulate in Auckland, they send the fees to the Wellington mission. Later they realise their mistake and ask for refunds... We have no problem in doing that – it’s our duty – but it delays the entire process.”
Bhushan said about half of her staff's time was being spent on processing refunds.
Where does the solution lie?
Madan Mohan Sethi told The Indian Weekender that anyone with any complaint or query can directly email the consulate at cg.auckland@mea.gov.in.
The Consulate urges applicants to carefully review their applications and ensure they are complete to avoid delays.
The Indian consulate in Auckland offers services related to passports, Indian citizenship, attestation of documents, police certificates, birth and death certificates, liquor permits and non-resident Indian certificates, among other things. It also issues necessary certificates for the repatriation of deceased individuals' remains or ashes to India. The consulate's jurisdiction covers Auckland, Northland and Waikato.
Madan Mohan Sethi moved to Auckland when the consulate began operations earlier this year. On December 27, 2023, the Indian government approved a proposal to open a full-service consulate in Auckland—a move described as one that will strengthen the South Asian giant’s diplomatic footprint in New Zealand.
The Consulate of India’s new office is on Queen Street in Auckland’s CBD.
For any queries or complaints, please contact cg.auckland@mea.gov.in directly with all relevant details