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<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=150 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>T.I.S.I. (NZ) Sangam</B><FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><B>   </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><B>  |  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><B>   </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="T.I.S.I. (NZ) Sangam"><U><B>Back to Home Page</B></U></A></FONT></div> <bR> <div> Background   |   <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Aims Objectives"><U>Aims & Objectives</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Membership"><U>Membership</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id5.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Committee Members"><U>Committee Members</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id50.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Organisational Structure"><U>Organisational Structure</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id37.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Notice Board"><U>Notice Board</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id10.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Harish Chandra Kovil"><U>Harish Chandra Kovil</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id36.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fiji Sangam"><U>Fiji Sangam</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Documents Newsletters"><U>Documents & Newsletters</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id73.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Brief History of Sangam, Fiji"><U>A Brief History of Sangam, Fiji</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Activities Photos"><U>Activities & Photos</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id68.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="List of Foundation Life Members"><U>List of Foundation Life Members</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Details"><U>Contact Details</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=300 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000"> <div> Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple in Nadi, Fiji - a million dollar project undertaken by the T.I.S.I. Sangam, Fiji</div> <div> <IMG SRC="17603c30.jpg" border=0 width="259" height="195" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <IMG SRC="17801c10.jpg" border=0 width="257" height="193" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=330 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Background</I></div> <div> The <I>Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam</I> was setup in New Zealand to bring together people of South Indian descent living in New Zealand.  It is a representative cultural body for South Indian people.</div> <bR> <div> The Sangam is a non-profit cultural organisation, and has been established at numerous countries throughout the world.  The South Indian religion and culture dates back thousands of years to ancient India.  Estimates are that the South Indian community in New Zealand numbers over 30,000. </div> <bR> <div> The main objective of the Sangam is the promotion of South Indian Culture, Traditions and Languages, and to bring together people of South Indian origin.  It is structured along the lines of it's parent body, the <I>T.I.S.I. Sangam</I> of Fiji. </div> <div>  </div> <div> The Sangam has been active in New Zealand for over 20 years.  The first group formed in Auckland in 1989.  There are now numerous branches in Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Hastings, Christchurch and Wellington.  Both <I>T.I.V. Sangam</I> youth groups and<I> Maathar Sangam</I> women's groups hold regular activities and meetings.</div> <bR> <div> The National Body, <I>T.I.S.I. Sangam (NZ) Inc</I> was formed in 1999 to better organise the various Sangam groups and branches into a formal structure.  This will lead to better communication, increased co-operation between  groups and members, and a stronger and more cohesive organisation.  It has also lead to a formal link to the parent group in Fiji through official affiliation to the <I>T.I.S.I. Sangam in Fiji</I>.</div> <bR> <div> In Fiji, the Sangam is the largest non-government organsiation in the country.  Formed in 1926, it is also the largest non-public provider of education with 26 schools and numerous pre-schools.  There are dozens of branches and temples around the country.</div> <bR> <div> Activities in New Zealand include holding an Annual Convention, regular Prayers and Religious Festivals, a Deepawali Cultural Function, Tamil Natak dances, Business and Community dinners, Golf games, and Soccer and Netball Tournaments.</div> <bR> <div> A property was purchased in 2004.  The site, known as the Sangam Village, currently houses the Head Office, Community Advisory and Drop-in Centre, and the Sri Subramaniya Swami Temple.  Proposed future developments are the construction of a Community Hall (building plans currently awaiting approval by Manukau City Council) and a new Temple.</div> <bR> <div> A Harish Chandra Kovil was constructed in 2000 at the Manukau Memorial Gardens, Puhunui Cemetery in Mangere, Auckland. This small temple is the first of its kind in New Zealand.  It serves the funeral needs of the wider-Hindu Community in Auckland.</div> <bR> <div> A number of other projects are planned for the future, including the purchasing of more land to build a retirement home and sports complex, a resource center, a medical centre, and an early childhood centre and school.</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>