Around 300 people were treated to an evening showcasing the richness of Nepalese culture at the Nepalese Cultural Night, held on 10th May at Hansen Hall, Southern Institute of Technology (SIT), Invercargill.
The event was lauded as a tremendous success by organisers, the Southland Nepalese Society, as people from diverse backgrounds, including invited dignitaries, gathered for an evening of entertainment, food, and information about Nepalese culture.
Nepalese community member, and SIT Programme Leader for the Postgraduate Business programme, Dr Sanjeev Acharya, described it as a wonderful evening. “It brought together local leaders, community members, and families to celebrate the richness of Nepalese culture and strengthen cross-cultural connections within the Southland region,” he said.
The event was well supported by community leaders who all gave speeches: Hon Nobby Clark, Mayor – Invercargill City Council, Hon Penny Simmonds - MP for Southland, Margot Hishon, Chair – Community Trust South, Meggy Bartlett - Community Advisor Department of Internal Affairs, Dr Sally Dobbs - Head of Faculty SIT2LRN, Dr Teri McClelland – SIT International Manager, Neil Rumble, Chairman – Southland Multicultural Trust, Angela Newell, Deputy President – Invercargill Licensing Trust (ILT), and Milan GC, Representative – Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA)
A powerful Kapa Haka performance by students from Aurora College at the beginning of the programme set the tone for a night of cultural experiences; throughout the evening many features of Nepalese culture were on display: traditional dances representing various ethnic communities of Nepal, accompanied by vibrant costumes and music; live instrumental performances featuring traditional Nepali instruments such as the bansuri (bamboo flute) and madal (hand drum); a cultural fashion show, showcasing the diversity of Nepal’s regional attire; and stalls exhibiting Nepalese arts, crafts, and heritage artefacts.
The evening concluded with a shared Nepali dinner, offering guests an authentic culinary experience. Dr Acharya said overall, the event served as a meaningful platform for cultural expression, education, and community engagement — promoting unity and understanding across communities.
SIT Acting International Manager, Dr Teri McClelland said the evening affirmed the strong links SIT has with Nepal. “Nepalese students have been undertaking study at SIT for over a decade. It was a pleasure to host and join with the Southland Nepalese community in this celebration.”
Southland Nepalese Society President, Bijoy Regmi, said there are currently around 300 Nepalese people living in Southland and they were proud to have families here spanning from first to third generation. “It’s crucial that the younger generation remain connected to their roots; events like this is one of the ways we can foster that cultural connection and pride.”
It was heartening to see attendees dressed in colourful traditional attire and people from across the wider Southland community joining in on the evening. “This inclusivity aligns perfectly with the values we uphold as a society,” Mr Regmi added.
“The messages from our invited guests were incredibly positive and encouraging, reinforcing the importance of such community events. I would also like to sincerely thank all our sponsors for their generous support—without them, this celebration would not have been possible.”
Mr Regmi said given the overwhelmingly positive response to the evening, the society are certainly planning to make this an annual event.