Dorothy Brown By Zealandia News
AUCKLAND — More than 250 Hindu women from across Aotearoa gathered in Papatoetoe on Sunday for the second New Zealand Hindu Women Conference, more than doubling attendance from the inaugural event two years ago and signalling what organisers describe as an unmistakable national movement.
The conference, hosted by the Hindu Women Forum New Zealand (HWFNZ) — a service division of the Hindu Council of New Zealand — was held at the Swaminarayan Complex under the theme Women Entrepreneurs – Leading Progress, Powering Prosperity. Delegates travelled from Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Hawke’s Bay, Rotorua, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown — a significant leap from the 125 delegates who attended the first conference at the Indian High Commission in Wellington in 2024.
In a gesture underscoring the conference’s commitment to service, organisers announced that 50 per cent of all entry fees would be donated to the Nepal Flood Relief Fund.
Diplomatic address marks India-NZ milestone
The inaugural session was opened by Chief Guest H.E. Ms Muanpuii Saiawi, High Commissioner of India to New Zealand, who announced that bilateral relations had been elevated to a Strategic Partnership following Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Auckland.
In a landmark development for women in business, the High Commissioner confirmed that the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement had been finalised in a record nine months — India’s fastest-ever FTA and its first women-led trade deal, with negotiating teams composed primarily of women. Under the agreement, New Zealand will eliminate tariffs on 100 per cent of tariff lines, while India will offer cuts on 70 per cent of tariff lines covering 95 per cent of bilateral trade.
Crucially, Article 12.4 of the agreement explicitly commits both parties to foster women’s entrepreneurship, remove barriers to trade and investment for women, and promote SME participation — provisions of direct relevance to every delegate in the room.
‘Step forward without waiting for permission’
Keynote speaker Dame Ranjna Patel DNZM, Trustee of the International Swaminarayan Satsang Organisation and a pioneering healthcare innovator and philanthropist, issued a five-point call to action for Hindu women across Aotearoa.
She urged women to serve — contributing time, knowledge and skills without seeking recognition; to lead — stepping forward without waiting for permission and embracing failure as part of growth; to empower — bringing other women along rather than closing doors; to connect — building relationships beyond the Hindu community with Māori, Pacific and mainstream networks; and to inspire — modelling service and leadership so the next generation follows naturally.
Dame Ranjna observed that while women readily volunteer for community work, they often resist stepping into formal leadership roles, and called on the community to actively encourage that transition. Economic empowerment through entrepreneurship, she said, creates not only business value but employment, mentorship and broader societal benefit.
Redefining prosperity
MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar — the first Indian-born woman elected to the New Zealand Parliament — broadened the definition of entrepreneurship to encompass risk-taking in any life domain: science, public service and the arts, as much as business. She encouraged delegates to redefine prosperity as Santosh — contentment and security — rather than financial growth alone, and challenged every woman in the room to ask difficult questions, back herself and back one another.
The inaugural session was led by Master of Ceremonies Junoo Sharma, with a salutation to ancestors by Dhruvi Kantharia of Hindu Youth New Zealand, a welcome address by Joint Coordinator Neelu Taore, and formal thanks extended by Coordinator Tanya Mehra. Regional blessings were offered by delegates representing Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Wellington and Christchurch, with a shared call to support women’s transition from participation into leadership, to preserve Hindu heritage while contributing fully to New Zealand society, and to prioritise intergenerational mentorship.
From trade to wellness: sessions explore pathways
A session on Hindu Women Entrepreneurs, moderated by award-winning mortgage adviser Rachana Dave — recognised as the first Indian woman to receive a Best Financial Adviser award in New Zealand — explored the transformative economic landscape now open to Hindu women entrepreneurs.
Dr Amita Fotedar, Senior Policy Adviser at the Ministry for Primary Industries and coordinator of HWFNZ Wellington, provided a briefing on the New Zealand–India Free Trade Agreement, projected to boost New Zealand’s GDP by $658 million by 2050. Delegates were reminded that meeting Rules of Origin requirements would be essential to fully realise these benefits.
Raewyn Bhana, Manurewa Local Board member, Justice of the Peace and Queen’s Service Medal recipient, spoke on building Hindu-Māori business connections. Binal Nagar of Unitec shared her personal journey of entrepreneurial growth rooted in dharma and community, while Dr Julia Anne, Founder of Look After Me and Manager of the Hindu Heritage Centre in Rotorua, presented her holistic wellness model integrating physical, mental and spiritual dimensions. A pilot immersive wellness experience is scheduled for Rotorua from 15–22 November 2026.
A session on Hindu Women in Public Leadership, chaired by education specialist Sarisha Rameshlall Komal, featured Nalini Dutt, National Manager of AA Home and Director of Rape Prevention Education, who articulated a Dharma-Vivek-Karma leadership framework. Dr Sheerali Arya of the University of Waikato mapped pathways for Hindu women in academia.
Ashima Singh — the first Indian-born New Zealand lawyer appointed to the Notaries Society of New Zealand — delivered an account of resilience and purpose. Sangita Gupta, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Webfit News and a member of the NZ Media Council, challenged delegates to claim their rightful place as experts and decision-makers in media.
A session on Hindu Women in Professional and Community Leadership, chaired by Archana Newaskar, Senior Manager at Health NZ, heard from Nonita Jaura of the Ministry of Social Development on the ripple effect of public sector leadership. Minaben Bhagwandas of Gayatri Pariwar Wellington called on communities to raise children who ask not “What will you become?” but “Who will you become?”. Archna Devi of the University of Canterbury delivered a moving address on the legacy of Girmit women, whose resilience across generations continues to inspire.
A restorative yoga and meditation session was led by Amita Changoiwala of Yogami Classical Hatha Yoga.
Milestones and future plans
The conference marked several firsts: business stalls were introduced for the first time, with all spots booked within one week of opening. Future conferences are already planned for Christchurch in 2027 (Year 3) and Hamilton in 2028 (Year 4), cementing HWFNZ’s status as a genuinely national movement.
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing community initiative, scheduled for 10 October 2026, has already attracted over 90 registrations. The closing session was chaired by Archna Tandon ONZM, JP, with the Way Forward presented by Joint Coordinator Sonali Hegde and a vote of thanks by Sponsorship Coordinator Pallavi Sinha.
The conference also featured a vibrant array of business stalls coordinated by Madhavi Ashok Vora, showcasing the entrepreneurial talent and diversity of New Zealand’s Hindu women-led businesses. The closing kirtan session, performed by the Meditation NZ Kirtan Band, provided a spiritually uplifting conclusion to the gathering.
Upcoming events include Dharma Fest (Saturday, 12 September 2026), the Raksha Bandhan Celebration (12 September, from 4pm), and the Hindu Elder Conference – Gold Part 3 (Saturday, 3 October 2026).
The Hindu Women Forum New Zealand, a service division of the Hindu Council of New Zealand, is dedicated to empowering Hindu women through leadership, entrepreneurship, community service and the preservation of cultural heritage across Aotearoa.
