The Hindu Women Forum, a division of the Hindu Council of New Zealand, is proud to announce the inaugural New Zealand Hindu Women Conference, to be held on Saturday, 20 September 2025, from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm at the Auditorium Hall, High Commission of India, 72 Pipitea Street, Thorndon, Wellington. This landmark event is fully supported by the HOTA (Hindu Organisations, Temples and Associations) Forum New Zealand.

With the theme “Promoting Women – Strengthening Communities”, the conference will bring together Hindu women from across Aotearoa and beyond to celebrate achievements, share wisdom, and explore pathways to enhance women’s roles in nurturing families, strengthening communities, and shaping our nation’s future.

Purpose of the Conference

• To provide a platform for Hindu women in New Zealand to connect, collaborate, and inspire one another.
• To highlight traditional values alongside modern opportunities for leadership, entrepreneurship, and community service.
• To address challenges faced by women today and develop practical strategies for empowerment.

Programme Highlights

• Inspirational keynote addresses by national and international speakers
• Panel discussions on leadership and decision-making in both private and public sectors
• Cultural performances and networking opportunities
• Recognition of outstanding contributions by Hindu women in New Zealand

The day will begin with Māori and Hindu prayers, followed by an inaugural session featuring keynote speeches, blessings, and best wishes from distinguished leaders in government, community, business, and media. Her Excellency Neeta Bhushan, High Commissioner of India to New Zealand, has kindly accepted our invitation to attend. Invitations have also been extended to other dignitaries.

Plenary Sessions

1. Working with Government Agencies: Exploring partnerships in “Promoting Women – Strengthening Communities”
2. Hindu Women in Public Leadership: Governance, Administration, Judiciary, and Politics
3. Leadership and Engagement of Hindu Women in Academia, Media, and Public Service
4. Hindu Women in Decision-Making across Organisations, Temples, and Associations

Representatives from the Ministry for Women, Ministry for Ethnic Communities, Ministry of Culture and Heritage, Ministry of Social Development, and New Zealand Police have been invited to contribute to the session on government partnerships.

Who Should Attend

• Women of all ages and backgrounds who identify with or are interested in Hindu culture and values
• Community leaders, educators, professionals, entrepreneurs, students, and homemakers
• Men who wish to support and encourage women’s leadership in the community

Registration Details

• Conference Fee: $25.00 (Free for up to 20 university students)
• Fee includes all sessions, refreshments, lunch, and a gift from a self-help women’s group
• Register by Saturday, 30 August 2025 via email: [email protected] or online: https://tinyurl.com/NZHWC2025

Already, more than 50 women have expressed their interest in participating, even before formal promotion. This enthusiastic response reflects the strong need for such a platform, and with wider publicity, participation is expected to grow significantly, making the conference a truly impactful milestone event.

Those interested in being a speaker, committee member, or volunteer are invited to send a one-page CV to [email protected].

A Milestone Event for Aotearoa

“This conference marks a significant milestone in recognising and empowering Hindu women in New Zealand,” said Vijeshni Rattan, President of the Hindu Council of New Zealand (Wellington Chapter). “It is not only about celebrating achievements but also about building stronger communities and ensuring women’s voices are central in shaping the future of Aotearoa.”

(This Press Release has been published as received)