Our Story
The Organisation of Hindu Malayalees New Zealand (OHM NZ) is construed as a non-profit advocacy organization for the Malayali Hindu community in New Zealand. The need for an organisation dedicated to Kerala Hindu ways of living became apparent around the 2015-2016 era when there were not any organizations that offered the growing Malayali Hindu population in New Zealand with opportunities to involve, celebrate, teach, and learn about the different festivals and events unique to Kerala Hindus and their culture.
We had reached a stage where we could not exist as pockets of people trying to reinvent Kerala in New Zealand and there was a growing need to unite and function as one front.When the idea to form an association was mooted by some members of our community to Sri Chandru Kurukkal, the chief priest of Papakura Ganesh Temple and our current Patron, he called for a meeting with few interested people at Thiru Murugan temple in Tidal Road. Since then, a resolute few worked to establish the necessary foundation that then proved to serve as a platform to propel our community to greater achievements socially, culturally, and religiously which culminated in the informal creation of OHM NZ in 2017 which led to the legal formation and registration of OHM NZ under Charities Rules in 2019.
Since then, we have been remarkably successful in building an organization that offers the opportunities to perform, practise, learn and deeply engage in the Hindu way of living especially for our newer generation. The aim is not only to recreate the environment and all aspects of Malayali Hindu Living in New Zealand, but is also focused in helping our members in integrating to the New Zealand society.
True to our Hindu way of living we started to engage and contributing to various charity activities in New Zealand and India. OHM NZ also witnessed the generosity of its members during the flood relief missions in Kerala in 2018 when our members travelled to Kerala and stayed there for months helping the victims of flood rebuild their homes and start new lives.
OHM NZ has been very proactive in conducting all the important Hindu festivals and events in Auckland such as Onam, Vishu, Thiruvathira, Navaratri, Ayyappa Villakku, Bhagawati Seva, Vavubali, Vidhyarambham, Ayappa bhajanas during Mandala kalam and many more.
OHM NZ has also been conducting charity events including and not limited to, Blood donation drives, flood relief, Covid relief fundraiser, counselling groups, financial help to the needy and also supported artists of various Kshethra Kalakal (Cultural arts related to temples) overcome difficulties during covid period.
Recent formation of our youth club has sparked a companionship and togetherness among our young members with many developing a new appreciation for the Kerala Hindu culture.
OHM NZ continues to grow from strength to strength as the roots set in Sanatana Dharma shines the way for all our members to live in Hinduism while being a major contributor to New Zealand society. It is our members who helped OHM NZ achieve the heights of today as we strive to bring more of Kerala Hindu culture to our members and New Zealand.
We welcome and encourage all Malayalee Hindus residing in New Zealand to join and be part of our journey to living the way to Sanatana Dharma.
