Diwali Festival of Lights

I greet everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.

Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the afternoon and the sun is high in the sky (Sign)

May I specifically greet you: Hon Philip Burdon, Chair of the Asia: New Zealand Foundation; Your Excellency, Mr Kadakath Pathrose Ernest, High Commissioner of India and fellow members of the Diplomatic Corps; Your Worship, Kerry Prendergast, Mayor of Wellington; Hon Marian Hobbs, MP for Wellington Central, and Pansy Wong, MP and Asia New Zealand trustee; Asian community leaders; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.  May I then add, in the context of this afternoon, the greetings Namaste, Namashkar, Kam Cho, Sat Sri Akaal and Salaam Walaikum.

Thank you for inviting Susan and me to attend this Diwali Festival of Light in Wellington today.

Before I formally open the Festival, I would like to make some brief comments about the significance of Diwali or Deepavali as it is also known.

Colloquially called the Festival of Lights—when families place small oil lamps and candles around their homes—it is one of the most important and ancient of Indian festivals and is celebrated by Indian communities around the world. 

This event celebrates not only the traditions of Diwali but also Indian culture as a whole.  Its celebration in the Capital today and in Auckland in a week's time also recognises the contribution of people of Indian descent to New Zealand.

Through a combination of enterprise and a strong work ethic, those of Indian descent have added value to New Zealand's economy and society by their participation in a wide variety of disciplines.  The 2006 Census revealed that Indian migrants are one of the fastest growing ethnic groups and more than 104,000 Indians now call New Zealand home.

While Diwali was originally a Hindu festival, it has crossed the bounds of religion and signifies many different things in different parts of India and the world.

So wide has the appeal of Diwali become that it has been celebrated at the White House since 2003.  In a special message to Americans of Indian ancestry, President George Bush last year noted that Diwali was an opportunity for Hindus to remember their many blessings and celebrate their hope for a brighter future. In his message he said:

"The festival of lights demonstrates the rich history and traditions of the Hindu faith as friends and family come together in a spirit of love and joy. This celebration unites people around the world in goodwill and reminds us of the many cultures that enrich our nation."

Diwali symbolises the victory of light over darkness, of good over evil and of the renewal of life.  To that end, its message is universal.  As former British Prime Minister Tony Blair said in 2005: 

"[Diwali] is a time when the family is centre stage. It's time, too, for reflection both on what has been achieved in the past and our hopes and ambitions for the future."

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Asia New Zealand Foundation, in partnership with the Wellington and Auckland city councils, and the many sponsors, for organising these Diwali festivals.

The Festival gives New Zealanders of Indian descent an opportunity to share their much-loved cultural tradition with all of the peoples of this land.  In a wider sense, the Diwali reflects the growing cultural diversity of New Zealand and reminds us again how it is enriching our nation.

While I was born in New Zealand, as one of Indian ancestry whose grandparents were born in India, it gives me great pleasure to declare the Diwali Festival in Wellington officially open.

On that I will close by speaking in Maori issuing greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours.

No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa