Sat Sri Akal! Vaisakhi magic at Papatoetoe Library.
Vaisakhi Mela is a vibrant celebration of the Indian harvest season, deeply rooted in Sikh culture. It marks a time of abundance, gratitude, and community as farmers share the fruits of their labour.
Local Board Member Albert Lim soaking up the Vaisakhi vibes. Image: Papatoetoe Library.
Now in its fifth year, this celebration is a favourite at Papatoetoe Library.
It’s part of the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board’s work to support and activate community spaces. This funding supports a variety of cultural programmes throughout the year, including Diwali, Lunar New Year, Matariki, and school holiday events.
Board chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia says, “The Ōtara-Papatoetoe local board is proud to celebrate our diverse communities. In Papatoetoe, we have a significant South Asian community so it’s important our public civic spaces are used to reflect the cultural traditions and celebrations, like Vaisakhi Mela.”
Libraries and Council Services assistant Sunita Vig shares that this year’s celebration welcomed around 150–200 attendees to the library several people from different cultures taking part. She adds, “One of the key highlights of Vaisakhi Mela is its inclusive and diverse atmosphere.”
A proud moment as this performer accepts an award for participating in Vaisakhi Mela. Image: Papatoetoe Library.
The event opened with an introduction to the significance of Vaisakhi, followed by a range of cultural performances including speeches, poetry, songs, and traditional dance.
Visitors also enjoyed samosas, jalebi (Indian sweet snack), tea, and coffee, while interactive activities like henna, carom (a tabletop) board game, and colouring stations engaged tamariki throughout the day.
Henna art. Image: Papatoetoe Library.
The celebration highlighted both Sikh and Hindu cultural traditions and invited everyone — whether attending the event or simply visiting the library — to learn, connect, and enjoy.
Local Indu Bajwa opening the celebration with a presentation. Image: Papatoetoe Library.
Two competitions are running as part of the Mela. One encouraging people to borrow two Punjabi language books for a chance to win a fantastic prize. The other, a paper craft competition, where participants in three age categories create paper dolls dressed in colourful Vaisakhi outfits. Both competitions close on 27 April 2025 and are a fun way to get involved over the school holidays.
Vaisakhi at the library was a celebration not just of harvest, but of community, culture, and shared space — a moment where everyone could experience and appreciate the richness of local traditions.
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