On Saturday, 4 October 2025, the Upper Hutt Multicultural Council had the joy of hosting the much-anticipated Festival of Lights at Maidstone Intermediate School. More than 250 people came together for an evening that truly reflected the warmth, vibrancy, and diversity of our community.

We were honoured to welcome distinguished guests including Mayor Wayne Guppy, Mukesh Ghiya, Second Secretary to the High Commission of India, and Matua Michael Wallace, community leaders, alongside families, young people, and elders from across Upper Hutt and beyond. Their presence showed the importance of cultural connection and shared celebrations to the wellbeing of our city./uploads/sites/uhm/files/PDFs/2025/D-70.jpg

The Upper Hutt Multicultural Council is committed to building a community where everyone feels welcome, respected, and valued. Our goal is to celebrate all cultures and remove barriers that may arise from differences in religion, language, culture, or background. The Festival of Lights reflects this mission perfectly. With its universal message of light triumphing over darkness, the festival reminds us that unity and understanding grow when we come together to appreciate one another’s traditions.

The evening was alive with colour, music, and energy from the very first performance. A powerful Kapa Haka grounded the event in Aotearoa’s rich traditions, followed by the rhythm and grace of the Lion Dance, which filled the hall with excitement. Myanmar and Pasifika dances carried the crowd into Southeast Asia and the Pacific, before classical Indian traditions took the stage with the elegance of Bharatanatyam and the storytelling of Kuchipudi.

The tempo rose as Bollywood and Kollywood dances brought flair and sparkle, while the infectious beats of Bhangra had the audience clapping along. Music also played its part in uniting the crowd, with a local singer’s performance crossing cultures and languages, adding yet another layer of joy to the evening.

But the Festival of Lights was not only about what happened on stage. The real magic was in the connections made throughout the night. The hall buzzed with conversation and laughter as neighbours, friends, and families shared food, stories, and smiles. Food stalls were a highlight, offering delicious kai from around the world. The aromas of sweet and savoury treats filled the air, while stalls selling colourful clothing and jewellery added sparkle and charm, giving people the chance to take home a piece of the festival spirit.

As a community leader, the Upper Hutt Multicultural Council works hard to ensure events like these are open and accessible to everyone. By overcoming barriers such as discrimination, exclusion, and inequality, we strive to create a city where every person can participate fully in community life.

This year’s Festival of Lights would not have been possible without the dedication of many. We extend heartfelt thanks to Maidstone Intermediate School for their generosity, to our performers for sharing their gifts, to our volunteers for working tirelessly behind the scenes, and to stallholders for bringing flavour and sparkle. Above all, thank you to the families and community members who came along — your presence made the evening shine.

As the final notes of music faded and the last plates of food were shared, the Festival of Lights 2025 left us with something lasting: memories of joy, unity, and belonging. Together, we made it an evening to remember.