Manukau Indian Association opens new premises
Manukau Indian Association will formally inaugurate its new premises this weekend. The association, which has been serving the Indian community for the past more than three decades, proudly sees this new development as a major achievement.
The spacious premises at 57, Hillside Road, Papatoetoe, is large enough to accommodate 200 persons. Its hall will be available for hire to all community members for their personal functions and for organisations to conduct their activities such as yoga and cultural classes, exercise programmes and the like.
“The inauguration of the new premise is a milestone in the history of the association,” said Association President Ranjna Patel.
To mark the occasion, the Association has chalked out a half-day programme on Saturday, July 23. This will include Multi cultural/religious blessings that will start 2pm; the official opening between 4-5pm and cultural programmes at 5 pm followed by refreshments. The Association has invited all community members to attend.
In the 1970s, the Indian community scattered around the suburbs of Mangere, Papatoetoe, Otahuhu, Manurewa, Papakura and other localities mainly in South Auckland felt the need to come together to hold social and community occasions. Activities began with culture and heritage classes for children and slowly meetings began becoming more frequent.
This set in motion the events that lead in 1980 to the formation of a group styled “South Auckland Indian Cultural Society Incorporated”. This name because back then, Manukau was not quite well known as it is today. Officially, however, the incorporated society was registered in 1981 as “South Auckland Indian Cultural Society”. The present name, “Manukau Indian Association”, came into being in 1997.
Back in 1980, the community raised donations and a freehold property was purchased at 25, Tui Road, Papatoetoe– a venue which still continues to be the Association’s headquarters for all activities.
The main activities of the society were to celebrate Indian festivals such as Navratri, Janmashtmi, RamNavmi, Holi, Diwali and India’s Independence Day-15 August – something that continues to this day.
Gujarati, Hindi and Punjabi classes were held regularly for a number of years at this centre. These classes are still operating.
Every year, during the Diwali period, cultural and entertainment concerts were held and members attended these functions in large numbers. When the Diwali shows were held at various school halls, such as at Otahuhu, Papatoetoe and Town hall, it caught the attention of local Kiwi people who over time got hooked on to the colours, flavours and the multifaceted traditions of India. A large number of Kiwis and non Indians still throng all Indian festivals in Manukau today.
The Manukau Indian Association is affiliated to New Zealand Central Indian Association, the oldest Indian organisation in New Zealand. The Association has recently amended its constitution so that wider community groups such as Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi, Kannada associations besides others can be represented on its executive committee, without the groups losing their identities.
Today, the executive committee reflects members from most states of INDIA, such as Punjab, Delhi, MP, UP, South India and of course form Gujarat. It is a true reflection of India and the values we have as Indians. With the added strengths of these affiliated groups, Manukau Indian Association has been staging grand Diwali celebrations at venues such as Telstra-Pacific Centre.
The Mayor of Auckland the council support Manukau Indian Association in all activities, and has been instrumental in making available the new premises. The Association thanks the community for the support and inolvement it has received down the years.
Indian Weekender wishes the Manukau Indian Association every success in its endeavour to serve the community and congratulates the Association on the occasion of the opening of its new premises tomorrow.
Manukau Indian Association will formally inaugurate its new premises this weekend. The association, which has been serving the Indian community for the past more than three decades, proudly sees this new development as a major achievement.
The spacious premises at 57, Hillside Road, Papatoetoe,...
Manukau Indian Association will formally inaugurate its new premises this weekend. The association, which has been serving the Indian community for the past more than three decades, proudly sees this new development as a major achievement.
The spacious premises at 57, Hillside Road, Papatoetoe, is large enough to accommodate 200 persons. Its hall will be available for hire to all community members for their personal functions and for organisations to conduct their activities such as yoga and cultural classes, exercise programmes and the like.
“The inauguration of the new premise is a milestone in the history of the association,” said Association President Ranjna Patel.
To mark the occasion, the Association has chalked out a half-day programme on Saturday, July 23. This will include Multi cultural/religious blessings that will start 2pm; the official opening between 4-5pm and cultural programmes at 5 pm followed by refreshments. The Association has invited all community members to attend.
In the 1970s, the Indian community scattered around the suburbs of Mangere, Papatoetoe, Otahuhu, Manurewa, Papakura and other localities mainly in South Auckland felt the need to come together to hold social and community occasions. Activities began with culture and heritage classes for children and slowly meetings began becoming more frequent.
This set in motion the events that lead in 1980 to the formation of a group styled “South Auckland Indian Cultural Society Incorporated”. This name because back then, Manukau was not quite well known as it is today. Officially, however, the incorporated society was registered in 1981 as “South Auckland Indian Cultural Society”. The present name, “Manukau Indian Association”, came into being in 1997.
Back in 1980, the community raised donations and a freehold property was purchased at 25, Tui Road, Papatoetoe– a venue which still continues to be the Association’s headquarters for all activities.
The main activities of the society were to celebrate Indian festivals such as Navratri, Janmashtmi, RamNavmi, Holi, Diwali and India’s Independence Day-15 August – something that continues to this day.
Gujarati, Hindi and Punjabi classes were held regularly for a number of years at this centre. These classes are still operating.
Every year, during the Diwali period, cultural and entertainment concerts were held and members attended these functions in large numbers. When the Diwali shows were held at various school halls, such as at Otahuhu, Papatoetoe and Town hall, it caught the attention of local Kiwi people who over time got hooked on to the colours, flavours and the multifaceted traditions of India. A large number of Kiwis and non Indians still throng all Indian festivals in Manukau today.
The Manukau Indian Association is affiliated to New Zealand Central Indian Association, the oldest Indian organisation in New Zealand. The Association has recently amended its constitution so that wider community groups such as Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi, Kannada associations besides others can be represented on its executive committee, without the groups losing their identities.
Today, the executive committee reflects members from most states of INDIA, such as Punjab, Delhi, MP, UP, South India and of course form Gujarat. It is a true reflection of India and the values we have as Indians. With the added strengths of these affiliated groups, Manukau Indian Association has been staging grand Diwali celebrations at venues such as Telstra-Pacific Centre.
The Mayor of Auckland the council support Manukau Indian Association in all activities, and has been instrumental in making available the new premises. The Association thanks the community for the support and inolvement it has received down the years.
Indian Weekender wishes the Manukau Indian Association every success in its endeavour to serve the community and congratulates the Association on the occasion of the opening of its new premises tomorrow.
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