He endured hardship, setbacks and discrimination, but 102 years after one of New Zealand’s earliest Indian migrants, late Dhana Bhikha, arrived in the country, his family gathered to mark the milestone in Auckland. The Darji group had planned centennial celebrations in 2020, but postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Fifty-four family members – ranging from Dhana’s 75-year-old granddaughter, Savita Merai, to his nine-month-old great-great-great grandson, Xavier Madden – recently enjoyed lunch at Kumeu’s Soljans Estate Winery, sharing memories and challenges of Dhana’s experience.
“For a 20-year-old to go out of India, leaving his family and wife, for somewhere unknown where you don’t know what’s on the other side, would have been quite a big feat,” his granddaughter Puspa Lekinwala said at the event, which was organised by Dhana’s great-granddaughters Anjana Rambhai and Malika Merai.
(Dhana Bhikhas grandson Janti Dhana shows his passport_Credit Leena)
(Dhana Bhikhas sons Raman and Daya)
(Dhana Bhikhas great-granddaughters Credit Kalpesh Tailor)
(Dhana Bhikhas youngest Kiwi descendent Xavier with mum Shree and dad Joel_Credit Kalpesh Tailor)
“I feel very privileged living in New Zealand,” Puspa continued. “It's the most wonderful country in the world and we've all had a wonderful life here, thanks to our grandfather having the vision to come here.”
Dhana’s grandson, Suresh Dhana, recalled how after starting a family with his wife, late Diwali, Dhana initially travelled from Vankaner in Gujarat, India, to South Africa, where his brother, late Bhagwan Bhikha, had settled. However, he was turned away on arrival. So, the following year he decided to check out New Zealand, arriving via boat on March 5, 1920.
After registering as an immigrant, he went back to India then returned with sons Raman (then nine) and Daya. He worked hard as a tailor, specialising in double-breasted suits, and Dhana’s sons eventually followed in his footsteps – Daya (who passed away in 2007) opening a tailoring store in Ponsonby Road, Auckland, while Raman (who passed in 1989) pursuing tailoring in Te Kuiti.
The family’s early days were fraught with the challenges of making ends meet in foreign surrounds, experiencing discrimination and adjusting to a starkly-different culture. Dhana’s granddaughter Laxmi Masters was two-years-old when he brought her and her late mum Bhikhi to New Zealand to join Daya.
Accompanying them was Raman’s wife Kamla and eldest daughter Savita. Laxmi reflected on the support of neighbours and friends, who helped the family, particularly when Dhana started spending more time in Te Kuiti to support Raman while Kamla suffered post-natal struggles after giving birth to her third child, Kusum Tailor.
Kamla would later go on to love her life in Epsom, Auckland, where she and Raman eventually relocated to and opened a tailoring business. The City of Sails had a bigger Indian population allowing her to make many friends and engage in social activities. Now 94, she’s in a rest home due to dementia, so was unable to attend the event.
She wasn’t the only one who faced challenges transitioning from India to New Zealand. In 1953, Dhana finally convinced his wife Diwali – who had remained in India, while he traveled back-and-forth – to journey to New Zealand, but she was unable to adapt, missing her homeland and late daughter, Niru.
“It was a totally different life,” explained her grandson Janti Dhana. “She just couldn’t settle into the New Zealand way of life, so Dada [grandfather] went back to India with Ma [grandmother] and they never returned. But he would be so proud to know there are not only grandchildren, but great-great-great grandchildren here today.”
By the time Dhana left our shores, having settled his sons and their families, he had truly fallen for Aotearoa. He would later tell Daya that if he outlived Diwali, he would love to return, however he passed several years before his wife.
Dhana’s Kiwi legacy lives on, not only through his descendants, but the many extended family members they have since helped bring to New Zealand from India.
“102 years have gone by and we’re all here, but all of us have extended family here as well,” noted Puspa. “Just from Dada, so many people have made New Zealand their home. He made the right decision coming here – and hopefully the younger children here today will be celebrating in another 100 years!”
Leena Tailor is a Gujarati journalist born and bred in Auckland. Now based in Los Angeles, Leena covers entertainment news, celebrity interviews, travel, health and lifestyle for outlets around the globe. See more of Leena’s work at www.twitter.com/LeenaTailor and www.instagram.com/LeenaTailor
Photos: Kalpesh Tailor
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