The arrival of Indians in New Zealand began in 1880s with individuals venturing from Punjab via Australia.
Many of them married local Pakeha and Maori.
Within a decade of their arrival, early settlers started bringing in their families.
These pioneers, mainly from Punjab and Gujarat, started contributing to the making of modern New Zealand. Even the Otago ‘gold rush’ is attributed to a Goan Indian.
In an era of ‘White Australian Policy’ and restrictive immigration regulations in Canada and South Africa, New Zealand had its own oppressive legislations and discriminatory immigration policies.
Association formed
With the spirit of Indian freedom struggle in the background, the Indian community in New Zealand formed the New Zealand Indian Central Association in 1926 with three branches in Auckland, Taumarunui (Country Section) and Wellington, which accounted for a sizeable Indian population.
The well-represented organisation not only promoted harmony between Indians, the Maori and the dominant European population but also started to advance the cause of all Indians, be it for political, educational, health and welfare purposes or to emphasise their cultural identity.
The Fiji influx
The first coup and political turmoil in Fiji in 1987 resulted in an exodus of Indo-Fijians to New Zealand, Australia, UK, US and Canada. In addition, a new influx of entrepreneurs and technocrats from India changed the Kiwi Indian demographics.
The evolving political scenario in Africa also dislodged people of Indian origin, compelling them to migrate to New Zealand and other countries.
According to official figures, India was the single largest source of migrants (6300) to New Zealand during year to December in 2010, relegating UK, the ‘traditional source country’ to the second place with 5300 migrants.
From just 46 persons in Census 1896, the Indian community had grown to account for 104,000 persons in Census 2005.
Growing population
According to some sources, Kiwis of Indian origin are significant, with their population now close to 150,000. From hawkers, agricultural and horticultural workers to skilled professionals and owners of large, medium and small enterprises, Indians are major partners in New Zealand’s economic growth and social development.
However, along with Indian goods and services, the import of the decay in recent Indian political system and surfacing of regional sub-nationalities in India has had its influence in shaping the modern Kiwi Indian society.
South Indians sparse
The New Zealand Indian Central Association has frozen in its yesteryears with hardly any non-Punjabi or non-Gujarati in its membership. This led to the formation of regional associations catering to linguistic groups such as Tamilian, Malayali, Marathi, Telugu, Kannada, Kashmiri and so on.
Due to such segregation, the potentially strong voice has self-de-capacitated and political parties have mechanised their own groups, leading to further Incoherent articulation.
A major milestone was achieved in 2008 with two MPs of Indian origin in New Zealand Parliament seems to have failed to fructify and this, coupled with the docile role of the Indian High Commission puts the modern day Kiwi Indian on a very weak platform.
Fragmented bodies
Religions have contributed to non-empowerment in their own ways.
While Indian Muslims and Christians identify more with the wider Muslim and Christian population of New Zealand, discord between various Sikh Gurdwaras and privatised operation of many Hindu temples have made it almost impossible for well- meaning organisations like the Hindu Council of New Zealand to achieve tangible and targeted results.
Kiwi Indian entrepreneurs may be doing well but they pale in comparison with fellow Chinese immigrants. Kiwi Indian technocrats may be showing presence in all areas but they are not present in significant numbers on company boards to influence decision-making.
Diplomatic missions and other areas of influence are also devoid of Kiwi Indian presence. There is no direct air link between New Zealand and India, which demonstrates the importance attached to India and Kiwi Indians.
Raising youth
This sorry state of affairs will change if our Kiwi Indian youth take pride in their roots and get involved in all religious; economic and socio-political arenas.
New Zealand belongs to all New Zealanders and no one should assume that Kiwi Indians would take the backseat forever.
There should be a change of focus from just moderate economic settlement to equal status in all departments of governance and decision-making.
Confederation of cultural or socio-political associations and democratisation of religious institutions is the need of the hour.
Indian culture has a lot of depth and contemporary content and Kiwi Indians are blessed to have understanding and access.
It is only appropriate application that will pay the dividends.
Veer Khar is a practicing civil engineer with a master’s degree in International Relations, with a commitment to the ‘empowerment of the Kiwi Indian community.’ The opinions expressed in the above article are his own and do not reflect the views of Indian Newslink or its editor. Readers may respond to editor@indiannewslink.co.nz
Photo : Better engagement should grow with population (File Photo of Manukau Diwali 2009)
