“I am so proud to live in a country where people are free and able to celebrate who they are, to worship as they choose to in a way that is free, where they are not discriminated against because of that, and where they have the opportunity to be free to be who they are,” Prime Minister Chris Hipkins told an assembly of Swaminarayan followers during his visit to the BAPS Wellington Hindu Mandir in Taita on March 21.

Hipkins was presented with a memento by Zankar Patel, Public Relations lead of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, New Zealand, as well as a letter of felicitation, in recognition of his appointment as the 41st Prime Minister of New Zealand.

Hipkins commended the spiritual group for its contribution to the wider community, left reeling under the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle.

“I’ve been the Prime Minister for just over eight weeks now, I think….. During that time, we have faced some extraordinary challenges as a country. And what we have seen is communities rallying around and supporting each other. So can I acknowledge the contribution that BAPS has made in that regard in supporting our communities, making sure that they are fed, making sure that they get what they need to get through what have been very challenging times,” Hipkins remarked.

He recalled the stories of people displaced from their homes and who had lost all of their possessions. “And, just the heart-rending stories that I’ve heard from them really have been offset by the wonderful stories that I’ve heard of communities rallying around to give them all of the support that they need,” Hipkins observed.

Earlier, the prime minister was shown around the temple and briefed about the beliefs and practices of the Swaminarayan sect.

The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is “a global, spiritual, volunteer-driven faith dedicated to improving society through individual growth by fostering the Hindu ideals of faith, unity and selfless service,” according to a pamphlet released by the organisation, which has a presence in over 60 countries.

BAPS temples host a variety of spiritual and cultural activities that engage everyone from children to the elderly, Patel told the Indian Weekender. These activities include weekly spiritual assemblies, education seminars and cultural programmes.

Volunteers are driven by the credo of Pramukh Swami Maharaj who said, “in the joy of others lies our own,” Patel added.

There are five BAPS temples across New Zealand. A new BAPS temple is under construction in the Lower Hutt suburb of Naenae in Wellington.