WIA was formed in year 2000 by a concerned and dedicated group of Waitakere residents after receiving requests from members of the Indian community. The majority of the members that originally started the association were from Indo Fijian background. Currently the membership includes Indians with origins from Asia, India, South Africa and New Zealand as well from Fiji. With humble beginnings, WIA now is well recognised and respected as a credible organisation representing the Ethnic Indian Community.

In a fast growing city we are experiencing an influx of new residents/immigrants of Indian origin and to cater for their ethnic needs of culture, language and values, WIA has been instrumental in providing this platform for the Indian community.

WIA has been and is working with the City Council and other NGO agencies in promoting events that allow the Indian community to share their culture and traditions with the rest of the community in Waitakere City and surrounds.

WIA is a duly incorporated organisation with a constitution that allows for proper management as a trust. Annual audited financial reports have been every year. WIA is a parent body for Indians in Waitakere City and surrounds and the membership comprises of individual, family and group membership. It is estimated that through our groups and individual members we are reaching out to at least 5,000 people.

Since formation, WIA has organised and is involved with:

·        Running of a Hindi School for the last 5 years to cater for Indian language, cultural, drama and music needs of our community

·        Diwali Festival of Lights  - last 5 years

·        Children’s Charity Concert – last 3 years

·        Sports events – last 3 years

·        Social networking events – last 4 years

·        Monthly senior citizens meets, and activities for the last 4 years

·        Tsunami Victims Fundraising Concert in Jan 2005

·        Asia Festival in 2001

ObjObjectives of WIA

• To promote educational, cultural, religious, sporting, social and business activities and interests amongst ethnic Indian people
• To promote well being and self esteem of people of all ages of the Indian community
• To share and enhance multiculturalism in NZ and work together with other ethnic groups
• To act as a professional administrative centre or advisory body
• The association is to represent ethnic Indians and their families residing in Waitakere City and surrounds
• To maintain a charitable status.

Future Plans
During the last five years the services offered by WIA have been very popular amongst the community and all our events and regular activities have been well patronised.

We have a growing Hindi School, Senior Citizens group, Cultural and Sports groups and a growing membership. We will strive to grow these services further. 

To cater for this growing need we are already looking for permanent and larger premises to host the various programs to serve the people. It is our long-term vision to acquire suitable premises that will enable us to enhance this growth in this City.

Working with the Waitakere Ethnic Board (WEB) and the City Council will bring closer synergies to our organisation – this is evident by the major role WIA has played in assisting WEB in hosting this year’s Waitakere Diwali Festival.

WIA’s website is being set up this year to provide enhanced service to our members and member organisations; this should be up and running by early 2006.

We currently enjoy good support of the business community and have plans to get more sponsors behind this organisation for mutual benefit in the future.