University of Auckland (UoA) has asked distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed to take his media release down “immediately” from his website and “cease sharing it with others”, which was titled as: Designated “Hindu Prayer Room” sought at University of Auckland. Lisa Finucane, UoA Media and Communications Manager, in an email to Zed, who is President […]
Hinduism in New Zealand
Designated “Hindu Prayer Room” sought at University of Auckland
Hindus are urging for a permanent and dedicated Prayer Room at University of Auckland (UoA), “New Zealand’s world-ranked university”. Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that UoA should respond to the requirements of Hindu students to provide designated prayer-meditation hall for rituals, quiet reflection, festivals and spiritual exercise; […]
After Hindu protest, Christchurch firm apologizes & agrees to remove sacred Hindu symbols from mats
Christchurch (New Zealand) based acupressure mat firm Shakti Mats has agreed to remove sacred Hindu symbols “Om” and “Yantra” from its mats after Hindus protested, calling it “highly inappropriate”. Jonathan Heslop, Director at Shakti Mats, in an email to distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, wrote:… our company has been made aware that the Om symbol […]
Upset Hindus urge New Zealand firm to remove sacred Hindu symbols from mats & apologize
Upset Hindus are urging Christchurch (New Zealand) based acupressure mat firm Shakti Mats for immediate withdrawal of sacred Hindu symbols “Om” and “Yantra” from their mats; calling it highly inappropriate. Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that both “Om” and “Yantra” were greatly revered icons in Hinduism and […]
Hindus shocked at ejection of Māori MP from New Zealand parliament for not wearing tie
Hindus have expressed dismay at the reported ejection of Māori member of New Zealand parliament for refusing to wear tie. Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that New Zealand needed to grow up and show some maturity before ejecting a Māori MP from the Parliament which was built […]
Hindus disheartened as New Zealand appears to dodge request for Diwali holiday
Hindus are disappointed as New Zealand Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety and Deputy Leader of the House Michael Wood does not seem to be fully receptive to the idea of national public holiday on Diwali, the most popular of Hindu festivals. Responding to the request of distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed seeking public holiday […]
New Zealand clothing firm apologizes & removes Lord Ganesh pants after Hindu protest
Takaka (Tasman, New Zealand) headquartered firm Mariposa Clothing has apologized and removed pants carrying images of Hindu deity Lord Ganesh, after Hindus protested calling it “highly inappropriate”. Tracey Brignole of Mariposa Clothing, in an email today to distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed who spearheaded the protest, wrote: Mariposa has removed the pants this morning. It […]
Clergy should read the opening prayer in New Zealand Parliament
Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed has suggested that diverse religious leaders should read the opening prayer in New Zealand House of Representatives on a rotation basis. Currently, per Standing Order 62, “at the commencement of each sitting, the Speaker reads a prayer to the House”. Sometimes, the Speaker delegates another House Member to say it. […]
Hindus plead for public holiday on Diwali in New Zealand
Hindus are seeking public holiday in New Zealand on Diwali, the most popular of their festivals; starting 2022. Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that it was not fair with New Zealand Hindu community as they had to be at work/school on their most popular festival while there […]
Like Christchurch, Hindus urge Auckland to shut down a busy street for yoga
Like Christchurch’s busy Colombo Street which was reportedly shut down on Sunday for few hours for yoga and other activities, Hindus are urging Auckland Council to do the same with a busy road in Auckland (New Zealand). Hundreds of yogis and others doing yoga together outdoors on a major Auckland street would bring the spirit […]
Hindus seek dedicated areas for scattering cremated remains in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch
Hindus are urging city councils of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton and Tauranga to work on creating dedicated areas for the dispersal of the cremated remains over sea, river, or other bodies of water. Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that areas in and around these cities now had […]
In New Zealand; Hindus more trustworthy than Atheists, Protestants, Muslims, Catholics, Evangelicals
Hindus are more trustworthy than Atheists/agnostics, Protestants, Muslims, Catholics and Evangelicals; according to survey “Who do we trust in New Zealand?” of Victoria University Wellington (VUW). More people feel positively about Hindus that not—28.3 percent of New Zealanders have complete or lots of trust in Hindus, while 19.9 percent have little or no trust; recently […]
Shocked Hindus strongly condemn Christchurch mosques massacre
Hindus have strongly condemned massacre during Friday prayers at two Christchurch (New Zealand) area mosques; and expressed sympathy to victims. Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said: We are deeply saddened by this horrific tragedy. Our hearts go out to the victims and their loved ones and the entire […]
Lauding Hutt City for “Yoga in Schools”, Hindus urge all New Zealand cities to offer yoga to students
Hindus have commended Hutt City Council in New Zealand for their “Yoga in Schools” program, calling it a step in the positive direction. “We’re on a journey to increase the awareness and accessibility of yoga in the community…we’ve developed the Yoga for Schools programme which brings yoga into the classroom and curriculum”, a Hutt City […]
2% New Zealanders identify with Hinduism
About two per cent people in New Zealand identify with Hinduism, according to a recent research report “Faith and Belief in New Zealand”. “New Zealand is becoming an increasingly secular nation…More than half of Kiwis (55%) do not identify with any main religion…This secularisation has been steadily increasing over the last decade or so”, this […]
Hindus urge New Zealand to offer greater respect & protection to Maori sacred sites
In view of Playboy model nude photo-shoot on sacred Mount Taranaki, Hindus are urging New Zealand government to offer effective protection to indigenous Maori sacred sites and make sure those were not disrespected in the future. Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that Mount Taranaki was of enormous […]
Hindus term religious instruction in New Zealand schools “inappropriate”
Hindus feel that current religious instruction in New Zealand primary schools is inappropriate. Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, said that instead of focusing on just one religion; all major religions, including Hinduism, should be taught in New Zealand primary schools. The existing religious instruction focused on and favoring one […]
$5 million Hindu Ram Temple opening in New Zealand
A $5 million Shri Ram Mandir, a Hindu temple and community complex in Henderson, about 13 kilometers from Auckland (New Zealand) city center, will formally do Grand Opening on June 13, concluding eight days of ceremonies starting June six. A project of Shri Ram Mandir Charitable Trust, a registered charity established in 2011, whose objectives […]
Worldwide Hindus want Auckland Shiva statue to stay
Hindus worldwide want the newly installed Lord Shiva statue in rural Auckland (New Zealand) to stay. Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, pointed out that since the New Zealand constitution and other policies/laws protected religious freedom; we urge New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and Auckland Mayor Len Brown […]
New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty to have its 1st Hindu temple soon
Sanatan Dharam Mandir, Tauranga’s first Hindu temple, is reportedly set to open in the next few months. The reports suggest that building consent has been obtained for this two-storey Mandir and the construction is expected to begin in the next few days. Since 2012, religious services have been held in a shed; and before that […]