Auckland | Updated: July 11, 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed thousands of members of the Indian community at Auckland’s Spark Arena and said India’s bond with its diaspora remained deeply emotional and enduring.
Opening his address with “Namaste” and “Kia Ora,” Modi thanked the Indian-origin community in New Zealand for the warm welcome.
He said he had brought with him the affection and good wishes of 1.4 billion Indians.
Modi struck an emotional note by referring to a woollen muffler gifted to him by an Indian-origin New Zealander nearly 25 years ago.
Holding up the muffler, he said he had kept it safely, just as he had kept the community’s love safely in his heart.
He said that although members of the Indian community had built new lives in New Zealand, their hearts remained connected with India.
The event was attended by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, political leaders, and more than 10,000 people of Indian origin.
The arena witnessed repeated chants of “Modi, Modi” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.”
Modi described India-New Zealand ties as a relationship based on trust, shared democratic values, and mutual respect.
He said the partnership between the two countries was entering a new phase with “a sky full of opportunities.”
The Prime Minister praised the Indian diaspora as a living bridge between India and New Zealand.
He said Indian-origin people had contributed to New Zealand’s growth in business, education, science, politics, public service, and sport while maintaining strong ties with India.
Modi also acknowledged the presence of leaders from New Zealand’s Opposition Labour Party and said bipartisan support showed that the India-New Zealand relationship went beyond governments and party politics.
Highlighting the achievements of Indian-origin New Zealanders, Modi referred to Air New Zealand chief executive Nikhil Ravishankar, former Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand, and cricketers Rachin Ravindra and Ish Sodhi.
He said their success showed how deeply the Indian community had become part of New Zealand’s social, economic, and cultural life.
In a lighter moment, Modi referred to places and roads in New Zealand carrying names such as Bombay Hills, Khandallah, Kolkata Street, and Amritsar Street.
He said Indians were not only present in New Zealand’s economy and society but also on its roads and signboards.
Modi said India had much to learn from New Zealand in agriculture, food safety, sustainability, women’s empowerment, and high-quality food production.
He praised New Zealand as the first country in the world to grant women the right to vote.
He also said New Zealand’s expertise in climate-smart farming, precision agriculture, and sustainable food production could offer important lessons for India.
Referring to mānuka honey as “liquid gold,” Modi said closer cooperation could help strengthen India’s beekeeping and honey production programs.
He said when New Zealand’s expertise combined with India’s scale, both countries could create major opportunities in agriculture, food technology, and research.
Sport also featured in Modi’s speech.
He recalled the 1926 Indian Army hockey tour of New Zealand led by Major Dhyan Chand and said the two countries were preparing to mark 100 years of that historic sporting connection.
Congratulating the All Blacks on their rugby success, Modi said India hoped to benefit from New Zealand’s coaching expertise and expand cooperation in rugby development, sports science, and technology.
The Prime Minister also spoke about growing cooperation in the space sector.
He noted that New Zealand companies had contributed to India’s Chandrayaan lunar missions.
Modi said India’s expanding space ecosystem and New Zealand’s innovation capabilities could open new opportunities in satellite technology, scientific research, and the commercial space industry.
Drawing cultural parallels, Modi said Māori values such as manaakitanga, whānau, and kaitiakitanga reflected Indian principles of hospitality, family, and environmental responsibility.
He compared manaakitanga with India’s philosophy of “Atithi Devo Bhava” and linked kaitiakitanga with India’s traditional respect for nature.
Speaking about India’s economic growth, Modi described the country as the world’s fastest-growing major economy.
He said India was emerging as a global center for innovation, manufacturing, and digital technology.
Modi highlighted India’s role as the world’s largest vaccine producer and milk producer, one of the biggest mobile-phone manufacturers, and home to one of the world’s largest startup ecosystems.
He said today’s India was confident, innovative, and ambitious.
The Prime Minister cited UPI, digital public infrastructure, drone technology, renewable energy, and space achievements as examples of India’s transformation.
He said India’s digital revolution had reached beyond big cities and was empowering farmers, street vendors, small businesses, and ordinary citizens.
Modi also paid tribute to Sikh history and the sacrifices of the Sahibzadas.
He referred to his government’s efforts to bring sacred sarroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib from Afghanistan to India after the security situation deteriorated there.
He also spoke about the observance of Veer Bal Diwas, improved access to Hemkunt Sahib, and efforts to preserve Sikh religious heritage.
The Prime Minister urged the Indian diaspora to visit India more often and ensure that younger generations remain connected with Indian languages, traditions, faiths, and cultural heritage.
Concluding his address, Modi referred to the nearly four-decade gap since an Indian Prime Minister last visited New Zealand.
“This time, it took 40 years. The next visit will not take another 40 years. That is Modi’s guarantee,” he said.
