Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday highlighted how the concept of ‘waka’ illustrates how memory, friendship, values and commitment define Indo-New Zealand relations. Waka is often described as a canoe, but in Maori culture (the indigenous people of New Zealand), it describes a sense of community, with Prime Minister Modi noting that the word is a symbol of the journey shared between the two countries.
Prime Minister Modi, while speaking at a community event in Auckland, said that both countries have huge opportunities and the wind is supporting them.
“India-New Zealand relations are endowed with memory, friendship, values and commitment. These relations are well defined by the beautiful traditions of New Zealand. For centuries, there has been a word that connects people here – waka. Waka is not just the name of a canoe, it is a symbol of our common journey. Today, the India-New Zealand waka is ready to undertake a new journey. Ahead of us, we have tremendous opportunities and the wind is at our back,” he said.
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Prime Minister Modi noted the tremendous opportunities that New Zealand offered to Indians here.
Prime Minister Modi said, “New Zealand is a place where Nikhil Ravishankar can become CEO of Air New Zealand, where Anand Satyanand can become Governor General. Where talents like Rasheen Ravindra, Ish Sodhi and Ajaz Patel can find opportunities in the cricket team. New Zealand is a place where Indian cities have been honored even in naming their streets. There is Khandala, not the one in movies and places called Bombay Hills, Coromandel, Calcutta Street, Delhi Crescent, Amritsar Road, there are many such names.
He said that the Indians were the real navigators of this journey.
“I have complete faith in the success of this journey… not because of Modi, but because of all of you, its true navigators,” he said.
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Prime Minister Modi said that India enjoys tremendous bipartisan support, which represents a success for the Indian diaspora here.
“From Auckland to Wellington, from Christchurch to Queenstown, the Indian community spread across every corner of New Zealand is a vital part of this shared journey. I would like to pay tribute to my friend Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, all colleagues from the New Zealand government, and the Labor members present here. This demonstrates the tremendous bipartisan support that exists for India-New Zealand relations. It also highlights the scale of the achievements and contributions of the New Zealand Indian community,” he said.
He recalled his visit to New Zealand years ago, when he was not part of any government in India.
“This may be my first visit as Prime Minister, but 25-30 years ago, when I was not part of any government and no one knew me in public life, I had the opportunity to come to New Zealand. At that time, someone gifted me three things that I took with me to India – this is a silencer, a hat and a pair of gloves. I brought one of these things to this event today. The silencer you see was gifted to me by a 25-30 New Zealander,” he said. I have used it many times in these years and I still take care of it today, just as I take care of your love for me.”
He recalled the time when New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon danced to the beats of the Bollywood song “Mast Kalandar” to celebrate India’s 79th Independence Day in South Auckland with Opposition Leader Chris Hipkins.
“Your Excellency, you have achieved great success within the Indian community, which is a real sensation, and you have certainly proven it. Your dance performance alongside Chris Hipkins on India’s Independence Day on the song ‘Mast Kalandar’ went viral. You have truly won a special place in the hearts of Indians,” he said.
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Prime Minister Modi said that this visit was the first by an Indian Prime Minister after 40 years, bringing the best wishes of 140 crore Indians.
“Today, after 40 years, an Indian Prime Minister has arrived in New Zealand. This is my great fortune because I have conveyed to you the best wishes of 140 crore Indians,” he said.
Amid loud cheers from people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the stage at the community event in Auckland. He and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon watched a cultural performance in Auckland.
