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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted with a traditional Maori powhiri ceremony at the Government House in Auckland during his official visit to New Zealand.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi was warmly welcomed with a ceremonial Maori powhiri at the Government House in Auckland, paying homage to New Zealand’s rich indigenous culture and traditions,” posted Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, on X (formerly Twitter).
The Maori are the original inhabitants of New Zealand, with roots traced back to eastern Polynesia around 800 CE. Their oral histories recount migrations to the islands, culminating in a legendary “great fleet” arriving in the 14th century from a mythical land called Hawaiki, according to Britannica.
Modi’s arrival in New Zealand on Friday night follows deals signed with Indonesia and Australia. This marks the first visit by an Indian prime minister to New Zealand in four decades, amid growing anti-Indian sentiments within the country and tensions within its ruling coalition, partly fueled by a free-trade agreement between the two nations.
The relationship has also strengthened in terms of security, with the signing of a defense cooperation agreement and increased collaboration on maritime safety—highlighting shared concerns over stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
However, increased Indian migration has become a contentious issue in New Zealand, with Indian New Zealanders reporting higher instances of racial abuse. Politicians, including Winston Peters’ New Zealand First party, are advocating for stricter immigration controls. As of the 2023 census, around 292,000 out of New Zealand’s 5.3 million residents identify as Indian.
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