BJANZ in the spotlight — our community coverage from across New Zealand's Indian media.
The Indian News
📅 October 31, 2025
The Bihar Jharkhand Association of New Zealand hosted a grand celebration of Chhath Mahaparv near Mount Wellington, bringing together devotees and families in a vibrant display of faith, tradition, and community spirit. The four-day festival — one of the most ancient Hindu traditions from Bihar and Jharkhand — concluded on 28 October 2025.
The central rituals, Sandhya Arghya (evening offering) and Usha Arghya (morning offering), saw devotees (Vratis) standing waist-deep in water offering prayers accompanied by traditional Chhath Geet folk songs. The community was honoured by the presence of Mrs. Swagatika Mohanty, wife of Consul General Dr. Madan Mohan Sethi. BJANZ President Amit Shankar Verma said: "Chhath Mahaparv is not just a festival — it is a bridge connecting generations and cultures."
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Indian Newslink
📅 November 2, 2025
The Mount Eden War Memorial Hall shimmered with festive spirit as BJANZ hosted its Diwali Milan Samaroh 2025. Minister for Ethnic Communities Mark Mitchell attended as chief guest — his first Diwali event of the season. He praised BJANZ for encouraging younger generations to stay connected to their roots: "It is wonderful to see Kiwi kids reach back into their culture and where they are from."
Dr Parmar conveyed Diwali greetings from Deputy PM David Seymour. MPs and community members shared the stage for a spontaneous group dance. Cultural highlights included an artistic portrayal of Chhath Mahaparv by Kiran Singh and Indu Rajshekharan, and a Jharkhand folk dance by Aarti Kaushik, Dolly Sharma, Namita Bhardwaj, and Reetu Kumari.
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The Indian News
📅 November 6, 2025
Our dazzling Diwali Milan Samaroh 2025 was featured in the print edition of The Indian News (Issue 18, Volume 8), highlighting the vibrant celebrations at Mount Eden War Memorial Hall and the community spirit that united Members of Parliament, local leaders, and the wider Auckland Indian diaspora.
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Indian Newslink
📅 August 16, 2025
The newly constituted Bihar Jharkhand Association of New Zealand was ably represented at Auckland's Indian Independence Day celebrations. BJANZ members Nishita and Dhananjay performed a charming folk dance from Mithila, receiving warm applause from attendees including Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, High Commissioner Neeta Bhushan, and the wider Indian diaspora community. The evening also featured an electrifying live concert by Shibani Kashyap.
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Indian Weekender
📅 July 11, 2025
Auckland's Indian community marked a historic moment on 28 June 2025 with the launch of BJANZ at Onehunga Community House. President Amit Shankar Verma said: "BJANZ is born out of a shared desire to celebrate our heritage and build a strong, supportive, and culturally vibrant community here in Aotearoa."
The association focuses on cultural festivals, youth and women empowerment, language preservation, and partnerships with other ethnic organisations. The executive committee was elected for the 2025–2027 term.
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Indian Newslink
📅 July 2025
Indian Newslink featured the official launch of the Bihar Jharkhand Association of New Zealand, highlighting our mission to unite the Bihari and Jharkhandi diaspora and celebrate shared heritage in Aotearoa. Community supporter Nishita noted: "For many, it represents a long-awaited platform where our identity feels seen and celebrated."
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