Strong security presence in Auckland as Modi meets political and community leaders

Aucklanders can expect to see a large security presence on Saturday as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets political and community leaders during a whirlwind visit.

Modi’s visit is the first trip by an Indian prime minister to New Zealand in 40 years.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon welcomed Modi with a guard of honor – and a hug – at Auckland Airport on a busy Friday evening.

The long-serving Indian leader is expected to hold bilateral talks with Luxon in the morning before meeting prominent figures from business and sports in the afternoon.

He is also expected to meet Labor leader Chris Hipkins later today.

Modi is finally expected to address a large gathering of the Indian diaspora at a sold-out event at the Spark Arena before leaving Auckland later this evening.

Operation Commander Inspector Grae Anderson told RNZ on Thursday the police operation was well advanced ahead of the visit and additional support from specialist groups had been deployed, including public order teams from across the country.

“These specialized resources will be able to assist with crowds of fans or any other disruptions that may occur,” Anderson said.

“Given a visit of this scale, the public should expect disruptions in certain parts of the city at different times of the day.”

Describing Modi’s visit as “historic” when it was announced last week, Luxon said it reflected the growing momentum in New Zealand-India relations.

Discussions between the leaders will focus on trade and investment, maritime security, education, technology, tourism, sports and various global issues, he said.

Modi was welcomed by members of the Indian community at Auckland’s Cordis Hotel last night, attending a series of cultural performances.

The Indian Prime Minister later wrote on X that he had been deeply touched by this welcome.

“I am delighted to witness a vibrant celebration of India’s rich cultural heritage as we welcome the community to Auckland this evening,” Modi wrote.

“The performances showcased the cultures of Punjab and Tamil Nadu, a fusion of Carnatic and Hindustani classical music and a soulful rendition of Vande Mataram.

“I commend our diaspora for keeping India’s cultural heritage alive across generations and continents and for strengthening the enduring bonds between the people of India and New Zealand.”

One of the highlights of the evening was a singing performance by the Naad Vocal Ensemble.

“Music has a unique ability to bring people together and [the] the performance beautifully reflected the warmth and depth of [the] Indo-New Zealand friendship,” Modi wrote.

Himanshu Parmar, an ACT Party election candidate from Waikato, who traveled from Hamilton with his wife to meet Modi, called it a “memorable evening”.

“Regardless of politics, moments like these are a reminder of the strong people-to-people ties between New Zealand and India, and the important role our diaspora plays in strengthening those relationships,” Parmar said.

“New Zealand and India have enormous potential to work more closely together, and I hope this visit will help unlock practical opportunities that will benefit both countries in making the most of the free trade agreement.”

This visit comes just after the free trade agreement with India was adopted in first reading in Parliament.

The trade deal will reduce or eliminate tariffs on 95 per cent of New Zealand’s exports to India once fully implemented.

But it has been surrounded by controversy, following New Zealand First’s decision to withhold support for the deal.

When the free trade deal was announced in December, New Zealand’s first leader, Winston Peters, called it a “bad deal”, saying it was “neither free nor fair” and gave too many concessions, including on immigration, without getting enough in return for New Zealanders.