✨🌟 Celebrating Matariki Together 🌟✨#2026

Matariki is a special time to pause, reflect on the year that has passed, honour those who are no longer with us, celebrate the people around us, and embrace new beginnings with hope. It was a privilege to come together as a community and celebrate these values through culture, connection, and shared experiences. 💙 On Saturday, 27 June 2026, our community gathered at the Mount Roskill War Memorial Hall for a memorable Matariki celebration. 🌌 ☕🥟 The morning began with garam garam chai and samosas, bringing everyone together before opening with prayers, birthday celebrations, light exercises led by Ella Kumar, Deputy Chair of the Puketāpapa Local Board, and an inspiring Matariki message. 📖🌟 Our BSCT Bal Vikas children led the national anthem, both of Aotearoa and India to start the event off. BSCT Bal Vikas Cultural Classes students presented a beautiful poetry recitation, followed by a delightful performance by students dressed as the Matariki stars, led by Ms. Kanika Ranga. We were honoured to have Tangata Whenua Annette joining us for the special celebration. The interactive Poi-making and "Your Star, Your Story" workshop led by Annette and Kanika gave our seniors the opportunity to reflect, share treasured memories, and connect with the meaning of Matariki in a creative and meaningful way. Annette also shared the meaning of Matariki and sang Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi with her whānau. 🎤🎶 Another highlight of the day was the launch of our new karaoke programme, led by Rushikesh Ahinave and Sudha Tata, who have been supporting and training our seniors to build confidence and enjoy singing together. Their performance filled the hall with smiles, music, and applause, creating a wonderful atmosphere of joy and togetherness. 🙏 We were honoured to be joined by Sister Jessica Phuang, Former Ethnic Responsiveness Manager, New Zealand Police; Ella Kumar, Deputy Chair of the Puketāpapa Local Board; Ghouse Majeed, Executive Board Member and Manurewa Ward Candidate; Jaspreet Singh Kandhari, General Secretary of the New Zealand Indian Business Association (NZIBA); and Annette, whose presence added to the significance of the occasion. 🍽️ The celebration concluded with a delicious community lunch, where conversations continued, friendships grew stronger, and everyone enjoyed the warmth of being together. 💙 A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, and supported this beautiful celebration. Together, we honoured the past, celebrated the present, and looked towards the future with hope, unity, and gratitude. 🌟 Mānawatia a Matariki! 🌟 #Matariki #BSCT #community #togetherness #UnityInDiversity #aotearoa #Matariki2026 #CulturalConnections