Diwali to dazzle Tauranga locals as festival makes debut

BIG TURNOUT: Auckland Diwali Festival of Lights brings crowds of people and the Tauranga event looks to do the same. PHOTO/FILE

Tauranga CBD will be taken over by all things bright as the popular Diwali Festival of Lights comes to the Bay for the first time.

The inaugural event is one of the main festivals held in the Indian culture and will take over Wharf St on November 7.

The event aims to reflect the rich Indian heritage in the Western Bay of Plenty and will feature performances from local groups and others invited from Auckland and Rotorua.

Food stalls and entertainment will line the street and the festival is expected to finish with a bang with a fireworks display.

A main stage for the event will be set up in the space between the Tauranga Art Gallery and Creative Tauranga.

Local man Buddy Mikaere thought of the idea a couple of years ago, when he went along to the Auckland event.

"I was thinking, why don't we have one here?

"We have a big leading of Indian culture in the Bay outside of Auckland," Mr Mikaere said.

"It would be good to see something like this in Tauranga, just to show we have a bit more diversity."

Mr Mikaere shared his idea with Curry Hut owner and now festival organiser Sunil Kumar, who immediately jumped on board.

Diwali festival organiser Sunil Kumar said people can expect bright lights, food and entertainment.

Mr Kumar said he was exhausted from planning the event but was excited to debut the festivities in Tauranga.

"I am very excited and I think it will be good for a lot of people [in Tauranga]," Mr Kumar said.

He said Bay residents can expect to see bright lights, cultural entertainment and Indian food.

Simon Bridges, Todd Muller, Clayton Mitchell and Te Ururoa Flavell have been invited to the opening ceremony, along with Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby and Western Bay of Plenty Mayor Ross Paterson and councillors.

The event will be held in two sessions, from 11am-2pm and from 4-9pm.