More than 14,000 people attended the first Holi celebration of the year in the Auckland town of Kumeu on Sunday.
The event was organised by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, colloquially known as the Hare Krishna movement.
Holi, or the Festival of Colours, typically includes Rangwali Holi or Dhulandi, where participants throw coloured water or powder at each other as they sing, dance and enjoy festive foods.
It will be celebrated in India on 14 March, marking the arrival of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
Legend traces the festival's origins to the courtship of Lord Krishna and his favourite consort, Radha.
Krishna, envious of Radha's fair complexion, playfully applied various colours to her face.
Participants at the festival re-enact this interaction by smearing coloured powder onto each other with a mix of romance and joy.
Thousands attended Krisha Holi in Kumeu, Auckland, on Sunday. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom
The festival also marks the triumph of good over evil, with bonfires lit a day earlier to mark the occasion.
This, as legend has it, is related to the story of a Lord Vishnu devotee called Prahlad and his aunt, Holika, who was the sister of demon king Hiranyakashyap.
Holika, who was fortunate enough to be protected from fire, lured Prahlad onto the flames of a pyre on Hiranyakashyap's instructions.
Many Hindus believe Prahlad's unwavering devotion to Lord Vishnu - whose one of the incarnation is Krishna - saved him from the flames, while Holika met her demise.
Kalasamvara Das is president of the Sri Sri Radha-Giridhari Temple in Riverhead. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom
Kalasamvara Das, president of the Sri Sri Radha-Giridhari Temple that sits on the Hare Krishna premises, said the event had been held at the site in Kumeu for seven years.
"The significance of the festival is that people [of different denominations, race or religion] can come together and have a great time," he said.
Everyone started to look the same after covering each other in various colours while celebrating Holi and, as a result, their differences disappear, Das said.
"The feedback I get from attendees is that they have never seen so many people smile at one place," Das said.
Visitors celebrate Krisha Holi in Kumeu, Auckland, on Sunday. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told participants at the event that it was important to embrace diversity.
"In a world where we need a lot more unity and tolerance of diversity, it's great to see it happening here this afternoon," Luxon said, thanking the South Asian diaspora for its contributions to New Zealand.
Harinam Ruci Sankirtan, which tours countries to raise awareness about the Hare Krishna movement, attended the event as well.
"We come here every year and plan to attend the Holi celebrations at Vrindavan this year," one of the members of the group said.
A family celebrates Krisha Holi in Kumeu, Auckland, on Sunday. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom
Vrindavan is a town in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, where, according to legend, Krishna played Holi with Radha.
The city hosts one of the biggest annual Holi festivals in the world, which last for almost a week.
Meanwhile in Auckland, organisers emphasised on the diverse nature of participation at the event.
Alan, who moved to New Zealand from Columbia last year, came with his family and experienced Indian culture for the first time.
"We never got to play Holi back home. [It's] our first Festival of Colours," he said. "I am so glad we came. The people, the culture - it's amazing."
Alan (right) was among thousands who attended Krisha Holi in Kumeu, Auckland, on Sunday. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom
Sumeet Verma, who hails from the Indian state of Punjab and has lived in Auckland for seven years, enjoyed the atmosphere of the festival.
"I came here in 2019," he said. "Attending the festival after so many years is wonderful."
Several celebrations are being planned nationwide to mark Holi over the next month.
Tauranga will celebrate Holi on 8 March, while Selwyn in Canterbury and Hamilton will mark the occasion on 9 March.
Additional celebrations will be held in Wellington, Christchurch as well as Auckland, with organisers finalising the dates and logistics.
Thousands attended Krisha Holi in Kumeu, Auckland, on Sunday. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom
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