Auckland Kurdish Community Celebrates Nowruz Day
On March 9, 2025, the Auckland Kurdish community gathered at the New Lynn Community Centre to celebrate Nowruz with great enthusiasm. Hosted by the New Zealand Zoroastrian Association, the event attracted Kurds from across Auckland, all dressed in their finest traditional attire. The venue was packed with attendees, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.
Several dignitaries attended the celebration and delivered heartfelt speeches, including New Lynn electorate National MP Paulo Garcia, Kelston electorate Labour MP Hon Carmel Sepuloni, and Te Atatu electorate Labour MP Hon Phil Twyford. They warmly welcomed the Kurdish community in New Zealand and expressed their joy in celebrating Nowruz together. Also in attendance were Whau Local Board Chair Kay Thomas, Jessica Pan, the New Zealand Police’s Auckland Ethnic Affairs Director, as well as representatives from the Ministry for Ethnic Communities and various minority groups.
The event featured three main segments: cultural performances, an introduction to Nowruz, and a shared dinner. The audience enjoyed a diverse lineup of performances, including Kurdish folk dances, Iranian national dances, Persian classical dance, traditional Tombak drum performances, and solo renditions of Iranian folk songs. A highlight of the evening was the mesmerizing dance performance by young Iranian men and women. Their exquisite features, complemented by vibrant and uniquely styled traditional costumes, combined with their graceful and natural movements, radiated youthful energy. The audience applaud and cheer enthusiastically. Additionally, a visually engaging slideshow with narrated explanations provided guests with a deeper understanding of the origins and traditions of Nowruz.
Nowruz: A Celebration of Spring and Renewal
“Nowruz” in Persian means “New Day” (Now = New, Ruz = Day), symbolizing the arrival of spring and the triumph of light over darkness. With origins dating back over 3,000 years to the Zoroastrian era of the ancient Persian Empire, Nowruz is traditionally celebrated on the spring equinox (March 21). Today, it is a major festival observed in Iran, the Middle East, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and even Xinjiang, China.
Much like the Chinese New Year, Nowruz lasts between 3 to 15 days and includes many rich traditions. On the eve of the festival, families gather around a feast symbolizing prosperity in the coming year. Homes are thoroughly cleaned, and new clothes are worn to signify a fresh start and purification. The Haft-Seen table is set with seven symbolic items, including sprouted grains representing rebirth and sweet pudding signifying abundance. The fire-jumping ritual is performed to ward off bad luck and welcome renewal. Traditional delicacies, such as Sumalak sweet wheat pudding, are enjoyed as a symbol of spring’s arrival. Festivities also include cultural performances, poetry recitations, music, and street celebrations, showcasing the diversity of traditions associated with Nowruz.
Beyond its cultural significance, Nowruz embodies a universal aspiration for peace, prosperity, and renewal. As a celebration of unity and diversity, it strengthens bonds among families, communities, and even nations. Recognizing its global importance, the United Nations General Assembly has designated March 21 as “International Nowruz Day.”
The Kurdish Community in New Zealand
The celebration also provided an opportunity to introduce the Kurdish people and their community in New Zealand. The Kurds are an Iranian-speaking ethnic group native to West Asia, primarily residing in Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. With an estimated population of 30 million, they are the fourth-largest ethnic group in the Middle East and the world’s largest stateless nation.
The Kurds have a rich history, traditionally living in the mountainous region of Kurdistan as nomads and mercenaries before gradually expanding to surrounding areas. However, they have long faced oppression in the countries they inhabit. In Syria, Kurdish cultural expressions, including traditional dress, festivals, and publications, were once entirely banned. Turkey has historically suppressed Kurdish uprisings, and prior to 1991, the word “Kurd” itself was prohibited, forcing Kurds to identify as “Mountain Turks.” Under Iraq’s Ba’athist regime, Saddam Hussein’s “Arabization” policy led to mass persecution, with many Kurds displaced to Iran or killed.
In response to these humanitarian crises, New Zealand has provided refuge to Kurds from Syria, Afghanistan, and other regions. In this multicultural society, they have found a safe and welcoming home where they can celebrate their festivals freely, preserve their cultural traditions, and thrive as a community.
A Joyous Conclusion
The celebration concluded with guests moving to the dining hall, where they enjoyed traditional Iranian cuisine while engaging in lively conversations and laughter. It was a truly memorable occasion, marking yet another beautiful and meaningful Nowruz celebration.
Several dignitaries attended the celebration and delivered heartfelt speeches, including New Lynn electorate National MP Paulo Garcia, Kelston electorate Labour MP Hon Carmel Sepuloni, and Te Atatu electorate Labour MP Hon Phil Twyford. They warmly welcomed the Kurdish community in New Zealand and expressed their joy in celebrating Nowruz together. Also in attendance were Whau Local Board Chair Kay Thomas, Jessica Pan, the New Zealand Police’s Auckland Ethnic Affairs Director, as well as representatives from the Ministry for Ethnic Communities and various minority groups.
The event featured three main segments: cultural performances, an introduction to Nowruz, and a shared dinner. The audience enjoyed a diverse lineup of performances, including Kurdish folk dances, Iranian national dances, Persian classical dance, traditional Tombak drum performances, and solo renditions of Iranian folk songs. A highlight of the evening was the mesmerizing dance performance by young Iranian men and women. Their exquisite features, complemented by vibrant and uniquely styled traditional costumes, combined with their graceful and natural movements, radiated youthful energy. The audience applaud and cheer enthusiastically. Additionally, a visually engaging slideshow with narrated explanations provided guests with a deeper understanding of the origins and traditions of Nowruz.
Nowruz: A Celebration of Spring and Renewal
“Nowruz” in Persian means “New Day” (Now = New, Ruz = Day), symbolizing the arrival of spring and the triumph of light over darkness. With origins dating back over 3,000 years to the Zoroastrian era of the ancient Persian Empire, Nowruz is traditionally celebrated on the spring equinox (March 21). Today, it is a major festival observed in Iran, the Middle East, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and even Xinjiang, China.
Much like the Chinese New Year, Nowruz lasts between 3 to 15 days and includes many rich traditions. On the eve of the festival, families gather around a feast symbolizing prosperity in the coming year. Homes are thoroughly cleaned, and new clothes are worn to signify a fresh start and purification. The Haft-Seen table is set with seven symbolic items, including sprouted grains representing rebirth and sweet pudding signifying abundance. The fire-jumping ritual is performed to ward off bad luck and welcome renewal. Traditional delicacies, such as Sumalak sweet wheat pudding, are enjoyed as a symbol of spring’s arrival. Festivities also include cultural performances, poetry recitations, music, and street celebrations, showcasing the diversity of traditions associated with Nowruz.
Beyond its cultural significance, Nowruz embodies a universal aspiration for peace, prosperity, and renewal. As a celebration of unity and diversity, it strengthens bonds among families, communities, and even nations. Recognizing its global importance, the United Nations General Assembly has designated March 21 as “International Nowruz Day.”
The Kurdish Community in New Zealand
The celebration also provided an opportunity to introduce the Kurdish people and their community in New Zealand. The Kurds are an Iranian-speaking ethnic group native to West Asia, primarily residing in Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. With an estimated population of 30 million, they are the fourth-largest ethnic group in the Middle East and the world’s largest stateless nation.
The Kurds have a rich history, traditionally living in the mountainous region of Kurdistan as nomads and mercenaries before gradually expanding to surrounding areas. However, they have long faced oppression in the countries they inhabit. In Syria, Kurdish cultural expressions, including traditional dress, festivals, and publications, were once entirely banned. Turkey has historically suppressed Kurdish uprisings, and prior to 1991, the word “Kurd” itself was prohibited, forcing Kurds to identify as “Mountain Turks.” Under Iraq’s Ba’athist regime, Saddam Hussein’s “Arabization” policy led to mass persecution, with many Kurds displaced to Iran or killed.
In response to these humanitarian crises, New Zealand has provided refuge to Kurds from Syria, Afghanistan, and other regions. In this multicultural society, they have found a safe and welcoming home where they can celebrate their festivals freely, preserve their cultural traditions, and thrive as a community.
A Joyous Conclusion
The celebration concluded with guests moving to the dining hall, where they enjoyed traditional Iranian cuisine while engaging in lively conversations and laughter. It was a truly memorable occasion, marking yet another beautiful and meaningful Nowruz celebration.
Article: Steven HuangPhotos: Susan Li, Steven Huang
New Minister for Ethnic Communities
Hon Mark Mitchell
Minister for Ethnic Communities (Nov 2023 - Jan 2025) Hon Melissa Lee
Minister for Ethnic Communities (Nov 2020 - Nov 2023) Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan
AAA End of Year 2020 Celebration
Seventh Multi-Ethnic Dance Festival September 2023
AAA AGM 2021
Auckland Asian Association Dine and Dance Event 2019
The Auckland Asian Association (AAA) organised Dine and Dance was held at 4th May 2019, and it was very successful. The venue at the Akarana Golf Club the ambience was extremely appropriate for this type of event where over 100 people turned up.
The event saw a large crowd of mostly Asian people from different cultural backgrounds get together for commardship and fun.
The band played until approximately 10:30/11:00 PM. The function raised over $3,000. This function has provided a healthy impetus for future events.
The success of this function has provided a healthy impetus under which to provide future cultural events.
The event saw a large crowd of mostly Asian people from different cultural backgrounds get together for commardship and fun.
The band played until approximately 10:30/11:00 PM. The function raised over $3,000. This function has provided a healthy impetus for future events.
The success of this function has provided a healthy impetus under which to provide future cultural events.
Auckland Asian Association
Dine and Dance Event 2014
AAA Inauguration in April 2014
.jpg)
Monthly Badminton Game (Suspended) Asian Badminton Championship Game 2020 ( Pending ) Asian Telematch Game 2020 (Postponed)