A Holi performance group from India, associated with Bollywood singer Shibani Kashyap and supported by Charu Das of the CD Foundation in India, is under scrutiny by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) after several members failed to leave the country once their visas expired.
The Pukekohe Holi event was organised by the Pukekohe Indian Association, which is part of the New Zealand Indian Central Association (NZICA).
The issue comes after concerns were first raised about visa applications connected to the group, which NZ Herald reported last month that nearly a third of the applications were either declined, withdrawn or flagged due to concerns, including fraudulent documents, before the Holi event.
The Indian Weekender reached out to NZICA President Veer Khar to ask whether the association or the Pukekohe Indian Association was aware of any visa applications linked to the group that had been flagged by INZ for fraudulent documentation.
“No,” Khar told The Indian Weekender.
The Weekender also asked how many individuals had travelled from India with NZICA or PIA support letters for the August event (when Kashyap visited for an NZICA event in 2025), and how many for the Holi event.
“None of our business,” Khar responded.
INZ visa director Jock Gilray today in a statement said that of the 18 individuals who entered New Zealand as part of the group, only three have departed the country.
He said that of the remaining 15 individuals, four currently hold valid visitor visas, while the others became unlawful after their visas expired on March 6.
“We are prioritising contact with those who are here unlawfully on a case-by-case basis,” Gilray in a statement today.
“For privacy reasons, we are not able to go into any further detail.”
According to INZ, visa applications had been submitted for a group of 27 Indian nationals intending to travel to New Zealand as part of a group called Community Holi Celebration with Shibani Kashyap.
The group was said to perform at the Colours in the Park event held in Pukekohe last month, however, the photographs and videos of the event indicated Shibani Kashyap as the sole performer at the event.
The Indian Weekender, in another question to NZICA president, asked whether of those who arrived on valid visas, if he could confirm whether all members participated in official roles as performers or crew.
"No knowledge," Khar responded.
“INZ verified that the event was genuine, including consultation with the Indian Consul-General in Auckland, who confirmed they were supporting the event,” Gilray said.
“A robust and fair assessment process was applied to the individuals making up this group, including collaboration with our risk and verification teams in India.”
Gilray said seven visitor visa applications were approved for the group, each valid for one month.
Four applications were declined, while three were withdrawn after concerns were identified with some applications, including fraudulent documents.
Thirteen short-term, limited visas were also granted specifically for attendance at the event, after officials determined this would help mitigate identified risks.
Of the 20 people whose visa applications were approved, 18 arrived in New Zealand between February 11 and February 24.
Gilray said one visa holder had not yet travelled, while another was prevented from leaving for New Zealand after additional concerns emerged.
This was Shibani Kashyap’s second visit to New Zealand in less than a year. She previously visited in August 2025, when she performed at an official celebration of India’s 79th Independence Day. The event was supported by the New Zealand Indian Central Association (NZICA) in partnership with the CD Foundation and featured an evening of music, dance, and cultural pride. It was presented by the High Commission of India in Wellington and the Consulate General of India in Auckland, and included a live concert.
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