Organisers are promising that there will be no signs of an economic downturn at the vibrant Diwali Festivals in Auckland and Wellington that are expected to be as popular as ever. Each year thousands of people throng these immensely family friendly events to mark a much loved Indian cultural tradition. The festivals take place in Auckland this weekend 10 and 11 October and in Wellington the following Sunday 18 October. Go to our main Diwali page and read our media release.

Two of the highlights of Diwali 2009 will be a Rajasthani puppet group and a Gujarati dance group , both from India. The involvement of Gujarati performers from northwestern India will resonate with many in New Zealand’s Indian communities because it is from this part of India that many Indian New Zealanders can trace their family history. We've just announced the programmes for the Auckland and Wellington festivals.

A number of exhibitions take place around Diwali 2009. In Auckland award winning photographer Chris Morten exhibits his work, which is based on a recent project in the Indian provinces of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, at the Bath Street Gallery in Parnell. Two exhibitions coincide with Diwali celebrations Wellington: Bindi : The Indian Tradition and Faces of India: A Photographic journey

The festivals are organised by Asia:NZ in partnership with the Auckland and Wellington City Councils. The principal sponsor is Incredible India. Other sponsors include ANZ, Bikanervala, Cathay Pacific, Barfoot & Thompson, The Lion Foundation, Sri Vishnu Enterprises, Pelorus Trust and Indian Council for Cultural Relations. Media partners are TV3, Big FM and Radio Tarana. A big thank you to all involved.  

New Zealand’s free trade talks with India will hot up in 2010. We would like better access for our traditional agricultural exports as well as services and technology exports. In our latest Action Asia Insight article, Matthew Roy gauges the mood in India. New Zealand is advised to think carefully about how it markets and communicates its free trade intentions in India, perhaps focussing on winning access to food processing infrastructure, where India requires massive investment.

25 year eleven students from Te Puke High School have recently returned from a life changing trip to Singapore where they explored the culture, cuisine and energy of this South East Asian destination. The trip was supported by a grant from Asia:NZ’s School Study Exchange Programme. Te Puke High School has been taking students to Singapore each May for the last three years as part of a twinning exchange programme with North Vista Secondary School in Singapore. Read the report of their trip.