TE ROPU INIA O TE WHANGANUI-A-TARA

UNITE SERVE CELEBRATE

Welcome to Bharat Bhavan, the home of Wellington Indian Association and Gita Mandir.

Bharat Bhavan is open daily.

Established in 1925

Indian culture for Indians in Wellington.

You can help make a difference by making a donation. There are many ways you can contribute.

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Tracing our ancestry project

We’re working with the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa to identify the portraits of our forefathers and foremothers who had their portraits taken in the 1930s.

Learn more

MONTHLY BOOKCLUB

📚 Women’s Book Club – First Thursday of Every Month

This is more than just a book club—it’s a chance to connect, share stories, and enjoy great company. Join us on the first Thursday of each month for a relaxed and welcoming session led by our very own librarian, Asha Mavji.

Come for the books, stay for the conversation!

2025 COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS

🌟 2025 Community Service Awards

Every year, we proudly recognise outstanding individuals who make a difference in our community. This year, we’re honouring nine award recipients, along with one special Life Membership.

🗓 Sunday, 16 November
🕑 2:00 PM
📍 Bharat Bhavan

This is always a heartwarming event and one not to miss!
RSVP is essential to help us plan seating and refreshments.

Let’s come together to celebrate the people who go above and beyond for our community.

What’s On

Available to purchase

Wellington’s Indian Story - Beyond a Century

Jacqueline Leckie

This year marks the centennial celebration of the Wellington Indian Association, and halfway through this year, a new book will unveil the community's rich history with the city.

That history goes back much further than 100 years, with the first Indian migrants jumping ship in the late 1700s.

Jaqueline Leckie said that was something that was still little-known to most Kiwis, but she had spent most of her career researching the Indian diaspora, and how they landed in white settler colonies like Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

"I think it was about 1769, [where] there's records of some Indian sailors on ships, one was with the French East India company. And then later, Indian men were working on ships that were run by the British East India companies," Leckie explained.

Leckie had written multiple books about the history of Indian migration, and her latest focused on the Wellington region. It detailed how Indians settled and developed into the community that existed there today.

"So looking more at the importance of place, and connection which you would find in other parts of Aotearoa," she said.

Wellington's Indian story: beyond a century will be released in the middle of this year.