From a young politician to prime minister: Modi’s cherished New Zealand keepsake

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed thousands of Indian expatriates in Auckland, recalling his first visit to New Zealand when he was a little‑known public figure. He narrated that during that trip the New Zealand leadership presented him with three gifts – a scarf, a hat and a glove.

He explained that today he has brought only the scarf to the "Kia Ora Modi" programme, preserving it as a personal relic. The scarf, he said, has been stored safely and occasionally used, serving as a tangible link to the warm wishes of 1.4 billion Indians he carries in his heart.

Modi emphasized that returning after a 40‑year hiatus makes him the first Indian prime minister to revisit New Zealand in four decades, which he termed a "fortunate" milestone. He arrived bearing the aspirations of 140 crore people.

Community member Dinesh Pahuja used social media to relive the 2001 visit, mentioning that Modi inspected a Gujarati school run by the Manukau Indian Association. Modi questioned whether the curriculum covered only language or also Indian values, urging teachers to embed cultural heritage so children remain proud of their Indian identity.

The audience responded with enthusiastic clapping, thanking the prime minister for his heartfelt recollection.