On May 17, 2025, the Fiji Girmit Foundation New Zealand commemorated the 146th anniversary of Girmit Remembrance Day with a deeply moving event held at the Malaeola Community Centre in Mangere East, Auckland. The gathering brought together over 1,200 people from all walks of life, community members, religious leaders, descendants of the Girmityas, and prominent political figures including Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and many Labour and ACT Party leaders. This annual commemoration served as a powerful tribute to the resilience, sacrifice, and enduring contributions of the Girmityas—Indian indentured labourers who were brought to Fiji between 1879 and 1916 under British colonial rule.
The term “Girmit” is derived from the word “agreement,” referring to the contracts these workers signed. The Girmityas endured extreme hardship, exploitation, and separation from their homeland, but they laid the foundation for the modern Indo-Fijian community, contributing richly to Fiji’s agricultural, cultural, and political landscape.

This year’s commemoration was particularly significant as it continued to build on a growing national recognition of Indo-Fijian history in the Pacific region. The event featured a blend of solemn remembrance and vibrant celebration, cultural performances, traditional Fijian Indian music and dance, and a shared meal that reflected the culinary fusion of Indo-Fijian heritage.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s presence at the event sent a strong message of solidarity and recognition. In his speech, he acknowledged the remarkable endurance of the Girmityas and their descendants, emphasizing their contributions to New Zealand’s multicultural society. In a symbolic gesture, he was presented with a commemorative plaque by Krish Naidu, President of the Fiji Girmit Foundation New Zealand. The plaque was a token of gratitude for Luxon’s commitment to recognising the Indo-Fijian community and its place in New Zealand’s Pacific identity.
Krish Naidu used the occasion to address a growing concern within the community—the under-recognition of Fiji Indians as part of the broader Pacific people’s category in New Zealand. He highlighted that Fiji Indians make up the second-largest Pacific group in the country, after Samoans, and yet they often face exclusion in policy, data classification, and public discourse. Naidu urged the government to formally recognise Fiji Indians as Pacific people, noting that this inclusion would not only be historically accurate but also crucial for equity in areas like education, health, and community funding.
Many members of Fiji-Indian community also addressed the audience, echoing and applauding Prime Minister’s sentiments of recognition and inclusion of the Indo-Fijian community. The presence of all major political leaders was a rare and powerful testament to the unifying significance of the Girmit legacy.
As the evening concluded, attendees reflected not only on the struggles of the past but also on the future of Fiji Indians in New Zealand. The 146th Girmit Remembrance Day was a poignant reminder of the importance of history, identity, and inclusion. It served as both a memorial and a call to action—to honour the past while building a more inclusive society that embraces all of its diverse narratives.-TIN Bureau