Our Story
New Zealand Indian Central Association (Inc.) was formed in 1926 with three branches Auckland, Country Section (Taumarunui) and Wellington, where there was a sizeable population of Indians residing.
The Indian community throughout New Zealand at that time in its history, felt the need for a single body to represent them in their fight against oppressive legislation and discriminatory immigration policy, and to promote harmony between Indians, the Maori people, and the dominant European population in New Zealand; and to respond to misleading propaganda concerning Indians living in New Zealand. The Central Association was also formed to advance the cause of all Indians, be it political, educational, health, welfare or cultural identity.
Today the three branches have grown into ten independent, self governing, incorporated branches throughout New Zealand, all affiliated to the New Zealand Indian Central Association (Inc.)
The Officers of the Association consist of: President, Vice President, General Secretary, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer. The affairs of the Association are managed and controlled by the Executive Committee plus a nominated member from each affiliated branch. The Executives meet quarterly or more if the need arises. The Officers and the Committee are elected at the Annual Conference attended by delegates from each branch.
Image: NZICA elected officers 1938
INDIAN ANZACS
We shall not forget the NZ Indians who served for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Little beknown to most, there were several volunteers who risked their lives to fight a war for their newly adopted country. Recognised for their gallantry as ethnic minorities at the time, the New Zealand Indian Central Association and New Zealand Chinese Association acknowledged their fallen during the showing of the Lest We Forget - The Other exhibition at Dominion War Museum in Wellington. Opened by Dame Fran Wilde, members of the Indian and Chinese community remembered ANZACs who were not just British men but also other men of coloured skin.
Images: Opening of the Lest We Forget - The Other exhibition by the New Zealand Indian Central Association and New Zealand Chinese Association.
Indian New Zealanders who volunteered for the armed forces during World War One were looking for adventure or an escape from poorly paid labouring work. Some, however, had previous military experience in India.
Only seven men of Indian descent appear to have been accepted into New Zealand’s armed forces during World War One, although around 110 enlisted, but were not called to serve. Most of these men were held in reserve, but with no intention of bringing them into active service as their dietary requirements were considered inconvenient or their physical stamina inadequate, amongst other excuses.
The fact that many of the Indians accepted for service in New Zealand were assigned to the Maori Pioneer contingent, shows a desire amongst military administrators to keep non-white New Zealanders out of general ranks.