The Indian Weekender 2 June 2023

6
NEW ZEALAND
Papatoetoe food
fest serves up
diverse flavours
Friday, 02 June, 2023
Read online www.iwk.co.nz
NAVDEEP KAUR MARWAH
IN AUCKLAND
The vibrant community
of Papatoetoe came
alive with the inaugural
Papatoetoe Food Festival on May
27, 2023.
The event was inspired
by a desire to celebrate
and showcase the diverse
culinary traditions and flavours
of South Auckland.
It brought together food
enthusiasts, vendors and
communities to promote cultural
exchange and indulge in a variety
of cuisines from different parts
of the world, including Fiji,
Hungary, India, New Zealand, the
Middle East, Mexico, Pakistan and
Taiwan among others.
The event at Saint George
Street drew an impressive crowd,
with at least 4,000 people in
attendance through the day.
The area transformed into
a bustling food paradise,
buzzing with excitement and
tantalising aromas.
Organised by Papatoetoe
Central Main Street Society
and Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local
Board, the festival offered
a range of highlights for
attendees of all ages.
Children enjoyed face painting
and other engaging activities
designed to keep them
entertained.
The main stage featured
captivating performances
by various cultural groups,
showcasing their vibrant
“The response from
community groups
was overwhelmingly
positive. The local
community and
stallholders expressed
their love and
appreciation for the
event. In fact, due to
the unexpectedly high
turnout, some food
stalls ran out of their
culinary creations.”
- Rana Judge
traditions through music, dance
and other artistic expressions.
Live music performances added
to the festive atmosphere,
creating a lovely backdrop
for visitors to savour
culinary delights.
Dignitaries from the local
community turned up at the event.
Among the guests were former
Auckland mayoral candidate
Efeso Collins, Ōtara-Papatoetoe
Local Board Chairperson Apulu
Reece Autagavaia and former MP
Ross Robertson.
Talking to The Indian
Weekender, Rana Judge,
Manager of Papatoetoe Central
Main Street Society, said, “The
response from community groups
was overwhelmingly positive.
"The local community and
stallholders expressed their love
and appreciation for the event.
In fact, due to the unexpectedly
high turnout, some food stalls ran
out of their culinary creations.”
According to Judge, these
celebrations of cultural heritage
provide a platform for showcasing
the richness and diversity of the
community’s culinary traditions.
Moreover, they offer
opportunities for crosscultural
interactions, fostering
understanding and appreciation
among different communities in
New Zealand.
Guests left with bellies full,
fond memories and a greater
appreciation for the cultural
diversity that enriches their
community.
One of the attendees and
National Party’s candidate
from the Panmure-Otahuhu
constituency for upcoming
elections, Navtej Randhawa,
said, “Papatoetoe Food Festival
was widely attended by many
locals who celebrate good food
and company. I loved the diverse
range of food and people and the
positive vibes.”
Another attendee Navinder
Kaur said, “The festival left a
lasting impression on all those
who attended.
"It reinforced the idea that
embracing cultural diversity
enhances our understanding of
one another and adds flavour and
vibrancy to our lives.”
NAME CHANGE
I am Manpreet Kaur Gill w/o Pardeep
Singh resident of 126B Te Manatu
Drive Huntington, Hamilton changed
my name to Manpreet Kaur.