'Moment of integrity': Calls for Indian diaspora to pitch in after Holi overstayers fiasco
Veer Khar of Indian diaspora's apex body NZICA has made the appeal. (Supplied photo)
"We are counting on our people to report overstayers like these," New Zealand Indian Central Association has said in a statement.
The country's biggest organisation for the Indian diaspora is calling on all its members "to do what is right" as immigration officials track down members of a touring Indian cultural group that have overstayed their visa.
The appeal came Tuesday after revelations that Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is tracking down at least 11 of the 18 people who travelled to take part in a Holi event on February 21 in Pukekohe, about an hour's drive from Auckland.
Bollywood singer Shibani Kashyap travelled from India to headline the event. She has since said she didn't know anyone was travelling from India to perform with her, and she has called for an investigation.
"Any individual who is currently in New Zealand in breach of their visa conditions must come forward and cooperate fully with Immigration New Zealand," said Veer Khar, president of the New Zealand Indian Central Association (NZICA).
The body represents at least a dozen diaspora organisations across the country that together reach at least 10,000 people of Indian descent living in New Zealand.
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"We are counting on our people to report overstayers like these," Khar said. "Event organisers and sponsors must cooperate transparently with authorities, and community leaders and members should encourage compliance and lawful conduct."
INZ says visas had initially been sought for a delegation of 29 people, with support from the Consulate General of India in Auckland, which wrote to immigration authorities backing the cultural programme linked to the Holi celebrations.
Shibani Kashyap performs at the Holi event in Pukekohe on February 21, 2026. (Supplied photo)
Khar pointed out the consulate was just doing its job. "We are grateful to India's diplomatic mission for helping organise cultural events for the diaspora."
He said the NZICA is particularly concerned by reports suggesting agents or intermediaries in India may have misled the people who are now onshore unlawfully.
A Delhi-based organisation linked to the Holi event has blamed a "fraudulent agent" for immigration irregularities, adding fuel to doubts the visit may have been used as a front to obtain visas.
CD Foundation appears to have been the nerve centre of organising and arranging for Shibani Kashyap and other performers to travel to New Zealand. Its founder Charu Das says she had nothing to do with "immigration violation, visa misuse, unlawful stay, or illegal migration activity".
CD Foundation was also associated with events in and around Auckland in August last year to mark India's Independence Day, including a performance at Due Drop Events Centre where prime minister Christopher Luxon danced with Shibani Kashyap.
