ISSUE
Friday, August 1, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 70
The High Commission of India is set to move to its new premises at 72 Pipitea Street at Thorndon, Wellington.
High Commissioner Muktesh Pardeshi and his team sent out invites for the “Griha Pravesh” (house warming ceremony) scheduled for 5 June 2022.
This will be the first chancery of the Republic of India in New Zealand.
About a week ago, High Commissioner Shri Muktesh Pardeshi shared photographs of the new building on social media saying, “So happy to share some preview photos of the upcoming, new premises of High Commission of India, Wellington, New Zealand. It’s a building befitting the image of #Indiaat75 and growing #IndiaNewZealand ties.”
Besides regular High Commission offices, the chancery houses an auditorium, kitchens and catering facilities, a library and accommodation for its staff.
According to the project report drawn up by Warren and Mahoney, architects, the new Indian High Commission building, located within the Parliamentary precinct, sits on a site whose square shape allows for “traditional planning principles of a building enclosing a centralised courtyard. This courtyard offers a tranquil, naturally lit space for community reception and functions for up to 300 people.”
The report says the main entrance, a covered porte-cochere with Consular offices above, provides an entrance to the courtyard and Grand Hall.
To the rear of the site, 12 Consular apartments form a three storey L-shaped shelter for the courtyard from Wellington winds, the report adds.
The simple, rectangular forms of the building provide a sense of permanence and authority. The building is constructed of coloured concrete, marble, glass and metal. Tracery screens of metal and marble on the façade emit and soften light while providing protection and security to Consular offices and apartments, the report notes.
As per the report, the project was due to be completed in 2021. According to the sources, the cost of the project has been about $60 million.
This means the project has overshot its completion date.
A source at Palmerston North-based Townsend Joinery told Indian Weekender that the company has been contracted to do the wardrobes, cabinets, counters and shelves for around 13 kitchens and 20 bathrooms in the building. The contract is valued at approximately $ 1 million.
The new Chancery coincides with India’s deepening engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Indian High Commissioner in New Zealand also has jurisdiction over Samoa, Niue, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands.
The Indian mission in Fiji covers Tonga, Tuvalu and Kiribati, in addition to Fiji.
The mission in the Philippines looks after Palau, while the High Commissions in Papua New Guinea and Australia handle the Solomon Islands and Nauru ,respectively. India’s mission in Japan represents India in the federated states of Micronesia.
The inauguration of the new chancery was delayed due to Covid-19 restrictions and lock-downs.
The house warming ceremony will commence on Sunday at 9 am.
The chancery is located next to the Thai embassy.
The High Commission of India is set to move to its new premises at 72 Pipitea Street at Thorndon, Wellington.
High Commissioner Muktesh Pardeshi and his team sent out invites for the “Griha Pravesh” (house warming ceremony) scheduled for 5 June 2022.
This will be the first chancery of the Republic...
The High Commission of India is set to move to its new premises at 72 Pipitea Street at Thorndon, Wellington.
High Commissioner Muktesh Pardeshi and his team sent out invites for the “Griha Pravesh” (house warming ceremony) scheduled for 5 June 2022.
This will be the first chancery of the Republic of India in New Zealand.
About a week ago, High Commissioner Shri Muktesh Pardeshi shared photographs of the new building on social media saying, “So happy to share some preview photos of the upcoming, new premises of High Commission of India, Wellington, New Zealand. It’s a building befitting the image of #Indiaat75 and growing #IndiaNewZealand ties.”
Besides regular High Commission offices, the chancery houses an auditorium, kitchens and catering facilities, a library and accommodation for its staff.
According to the project report drawn up by Warren and Mahoney, architects, the new Indian High Commission building, located within the Parliamentary precinct, sits on a site whose square shape allows for “traditional planning principles of a building enclosing a centralised courtyard. This courtyard offers a tranquil, naturally lit space for community reception and functions for up to 300 people.”
The report says the main entrance, a covered porte-cochere with Consular offices above, provides an entrance to the courtyard and Grand Hall.
To the rear of the site, 12 Consular apartments form a three storey L-shaped shelter for the courtyard from Wellington winds, the report adds.
The simple, rectangular forms of the building provide a sense of permanence and authority. The building is constructed of coloured concrete, marble, glass and metal. Tracery screens of metal and marble on the façade emit and soften light while providing protection and security to Consular offices and apartments, the report notes.
As per the report, the project was due to be completed in 2021. According to the sources, the cost of the project has been about $60 million.
This means the project has overshot its completion date.
A source at Palmerston North-based Townsend Joinery told Indian Weekender that the company has been contracted to do the wardrobes, cabinets, counters and shelves for around 13 kitchens and 20 bathrooms in the building. The contract is valued at approximately $ 1 million.
The new Chancery coincides with India’s deepening engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Indian High Commissioner in New Zealand also has jurisdiction over Samoa, Niue, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands.
The Indian mission in Fiji covers Tonga, Tuvalu and Kiribati, in addition to Fiji.
The mission in the Philippines looks after Palau, while the High Commissions in Papua New Guinea and Australia handle the Solomon Islands and Nauru ,respectively. India’s mission in Japan represents India in the federated states of Micronesia.
The inauguration of the new chancery was delayed due to Covid-19 restrictions and lock-downs.
The house warming ceremony will commence on Sunday at 9 am.
The chancery is located next to the Thai embassy.
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