Diwali will be celebrated in Whanganui this weekend with a festival of food and entertainment.
Diwali is the annual Hindu festival of lights. It signifies the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Diwali is an official holiday in several Asian countries.
Vijeshwar Prasad from the Whanganui Multicultural Council said this was the 22nd year Diwali had been celebrated in Whanganui.
He said people from many cultures, not just those who traditionally celebrate Diwali, would take part in this weekend's events.
There would be entertainment from Cook Islands, Nepalese, various Indian, and Samoan
groups, as well as a henna stall. There would also be vegetarian food available.
Mr Prasad said the guests of honour for the night would be Whanganui Mayor Hamish McDouall and the strategic adviser of race relations at the Human Rights Commission.
He said Diwali was becoming increasingly popular - and increasingly multicultural - in New Zealand.
"Whanganui's Diwali [festival] has become an icon not only in Whanganui and Rangitikei but the surrounding towns and cities. We've had people inquiring about it from Levin to New Plymouth," Mr Prasad said.
+Diwali Festival, from 5.30pm, October 14, at the Whanganui War Memorial Centre. Entry is free, but there will be a cost for food.