High Commissioner of India to New Zealand Ms Neeta Bhushan met with Indian community members on a recent visit to Christchurch and shared plans for a Consular facilitation camp in the city.
Ms Bhushan was in Christchurch on Saturday, 21 January 2023 to attend the Lohri celebration organised by the IndianNZ Association of Christchurch.
Ms Bhushan told Indian Weekender, “We will have a special focus on Christchurch. The High Commission team, including myself will be here, and we will be organising business events, consular camps and cultural events as well. I can assure the Christchurch Indians that you will see more of us, and we want you to collaborate with us.”
The consular camps will be an excellent opportunity for Indian community members in the region to access a range of consular services, including attestation, passport renewals, visa applications, and other services.
The High Commission of India, Wellington, has recently announced a new initiative called High Commission@YourDoorStep under which various measures will be undertaken to regularly reach out to the Indian diaspora in various parts of New Zealand.
The High Commission office also shared details of the first of such activities to be held at Auckland in February 2023:
(a) Consular Facilitation Camp at Auckland: On Monday 27 February 2023 from 0900 hrs to 1730 hrs, in Gallery 2, Hotel Cordis, Auckland.
(b) An Open House: On Monday 27 February 2023 from 0930 hrs to 1100 hrs at Hotel Cordis (Gallery 2) where High Commissioner H.E. Ms. Neeta Bhushan will be available for the meeting.
During her Christchurch visit, Ms Bhushan met various community members and heard their concerns patiently. She assured that a Consular Facilitation camp to be held in Christchurch was being worked upon. This step is a significant one as many community members face problems connecting with the high commission due to a high number of calls that the office receives. This camp will ensure that they will have all services offered in their city without the need to call or travel to the Wellington office.
During the consulate camp, a team of officials from the High Commission of India will be on hand to assist with the various consular services that are offered. This includes providing information and guidance on the documentation required for passport renewals, visa applications, and other services. The officials also assist with the processing of applications and the issuing of documents, such as visas and passports.
The High Commission office also shared the process wherein applicants are requested to visit the High Commission of India, Wellington website (https://www.hciwellington.gov.in), to get details of all the services provided. The applicant is then required to complete the online application form and bring the printed and signed copy of online submitted application form along with the required documents mentioned under the respective category. Applicants need to pay the application fee online and attach payment proof with the respective application. They can bring these documents to the camp where Consular staff will collect and process them after returning back to Wellington. Consular queries will also be attended to by Consular staff.
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