The 2023 New Zealand Census counted 292,092 people of Indian ethnicity - 5.8% of the country's total population, up 54% from 2018. Indians are the third-largest ethnic group in New Zealand, after Europeans and Māori.
| Region | Indian Population |
| Auckland | ~155,000 |
| Wellington | ~22,000 |
| Hamilton (Waikato) | ~17,000 |
| Christchurch (Canterbury) | ~15,000 |
| Bay of Plenty | ~10,000 |
Source: Stats NZ 2023 Census
Religious institutions. The Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple in Manukau is one of the largest Hindu temples in the Southern Hemisphere. Multiple ISKCON centres serve the broader Hindu community. Sikh gurdwaras across South Auckland provide langar (community meals open to everyone) daily. Islamic centres in Auckland and Wellington serve Indian Muslim families. Jain associations operate in Auckland.
Cultural events. Auckland's Diwali Festival is one of the city's largest annual public events - attended by people of all backgrounds. Holi, Navratri, Vaisakhi, and Janmashtami are properly organised public community events, not informal gatherings.
Indian business community. Indian-owned businesses span grocery retail, restaurants, IT consulting, medical clinics, and real estate. Indian Chambers of Commerce operate in Auckland and Wellington.
Political representation. Indians are represented in New Zealand's Parliament and across Auckland's local councils. This affects community services, resource allocation, and civic recognition in measurable ways.
Second generation. The children of the first major migration wave are now in their 20s and 30s - professionals across medicine, law, engineering, and technology who grew up in New Zealand. They bridge both cultures and are an invaluable resource for new arrivals trying to understand how New Zealand actually works versus how it is described from the outside.
Temple and gurdwara community noticeboards carry housing leads, job referrals, and GP recommendations that are often more current and accurate than anything publicly listed. WhatsApp groups for Indian New Zealanders share information faster than any formal system.
For a new arrival, engaging with these networks in the first two weeks - before you feel settled, before you think you need it - is one of the highest-value actions you can take.
