Supplied Content
Whangarei, December 17, 2024
Dr Madan Mohan Sethi, Consul General of India (Auckland) visited Whangarei with Consul Sanjeev Kumar on December 5, 2024.
Dr Sethi met Whangarei Mayor Vince Cocurullo and Northland Indian Association Inc Chairman Ralph Correa who coordinated the visit.
“The visit aimed to strengthen ties with the Indian Diaspora and foster connections with key leaders in the region, including members of the Northland Chamber of Commerce. Dr Sethi explored avenues for collaboration between India and Northland. The meeting with Mayor Cocurullo highlighted shared interests and the potential for partnerships to benefit the region, with both sides expressing a strong desire to bring together like-minded individuals to drive progress,” Mr Correa said.
Dr Sethi met Northland Chamber of Commerce President Tim Robinson, Chief Executive Leah McKerrow, Board Members Sandeep Diwan and Professor Dough Sutton.
Driving economic growth
“The discussion focused on facilitating a meeting between Indian entrepreneurs and investors and Northland business leaders to deepen mutual understanding of cultural and business practices. This initiative aims to create long-lasting partnerships and drive economic growth in the region. The Chamber expressed enthusiasm for future visits and committed to staying connected,” Mr Correa said.
“Connecting with the Indian Diaspora Dr Sethi concluded his visit with a meet-and-greet session with the Indian community in Whangārei. This informal gathering allowed him to hear firsthand experiences from the Diaspora. The community expressed satisfaction with the establishment of the Consulate office in Auckland and shared feedback on improving turnaround times for processing of consular documents,” he added.
New Consul Office next month
According to Mr Correa, Dr Sethi assured them that with the operational launch of their new office in January 2025, services would become more efficient.
“The visit was a resounding success, laying the groundwork for stronger relationships between New Zealand and India. The Consulate General of India Auckland is committed to fostering closer connections with the Indian Diaspora and supporting initiatives that bring economic and cultural benefits to Northland,” he said.
