The Hindu Council of New Zealand, in collaboration with Tiaki Early Learning Centre (ELC), hosted a vibrant Children’s Holi – Festival of Colours on Sunday, 9 March 2025. The event brought together families and community members for a day filled with joy, tradition, and cultural learning.
“The traditional games we played brought back childhood memories,” said attendees Preyna Priya and Khushboo Shah.
Tiaki ELC was selected as the venue for this special event due to its spacious grassed area, access to water for safe colour play, and secure fencing, providing a fun and safe environment for tamariki to enjoy Holi.
The festivities began at 10:15 AM with a karakia by Teresa Pou Poasa, followed by a warm Māori welcome from Tāmati Coffey, who served as the Master of Ceremonies. Children and parents from Hindu Scripture classes then recited Vedic mantras and shlokas, creating a truly cross-cultural experience.
Tāmati Coffey, a well-known New Zealand broadcaster and former Member of Parliament, received a traditional Hindu welcome with a saffron scarf, symbolising respect and goodwill.
Since many attendees were visiting Tiaki ELC for the first time, Centre Manager Sheela Rao introduced the centre’s unique learning philosophy, highlighting its focus on outdoor activities, play-based learning, and sustainability. Families were encouraged to explore the play areas, orchard, vegetable garden, and learning spaces to gain deeper insight into its child-centric approach.
By 10:45 AM, the much-anticipated Children’s Holi – Festival of Colours began. With pleasant weather ranging from 16-19°C, the outdoor setting was perfect for the celebrations. Organisers enhanced the experience with a sprinkler for water play and herbal, non-toxic, eco-friendly colour powder sourced from India.
The festival attracted a diverse mix of attendees, with families from various cultural backgrounds. Tiaki ELC invited tamariki and whānau from early childhood centres and primary schools across Owhata and Lynmore, giving children a firsthand experience of this cherished festival.
Photo: Supplied
Holi, often called the Festival of Colours, symbolises joy, unity, and cultural harmony. The combination of colour play, music, and dance was a major highlight for the children, making it an engaging and immersive cultural experience.
“My children had so much fun. It was the first time Anya played Holi—she normally cries! Thanks for organising this,” said parent Shradha Gupta.
Reviving Traditional Games
A unique feature of the event was inspired by Siddharth Pandey, a young boy from Nepal, who requested traditional games. His enthusiasm led organisers to improvise and introduce games on the spot, including Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh; Ram, Ravan, Raja; Memory Game with Names; and Group Building Tagging Games.
Parents watching the children play expressed nostalgia for these childhood games, which are now rarely played by younger generations. The success of this spontaneous revival led the Hindu Heritage Centre to announce plans for Traditional Games Sessions and Hindu Heritage Camps for Children in the near future.
“It was amazing to see more people attend compared to last year, especially from different backgrounds. The games were fun and kept traditions alive,” said Deepika Magesan.
Photo: Supplied
A Festival to Remember
The Children’s Holi Festival at Tiaki ELC was a beautiful blend of fun, culture, and learning, bringing together families from all backgrounds. The success of this event has inspired plans for future cultural programs that continue to celebrate unity in diversity.
“It was a beautiful experience to be part of the celebrations for the first time. Everyone was very welcoming,” said Alita Fern.
“Our girls had a blast! They made new friends and loved celebrating Holi with so much joy and laughter. Thank you for the invite!” said parent Parnila Chand.
For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact:
Prof Guna Magesan
President, Hindu Council of New Zealand
021 0345621 | hindu.nz@gmail.com
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