India's Consul General visits Whangārei

Published on 18 March 2025

Consul General Dr Sethi, Commercial Executive Mr Sandeep Singh, Commercial Assistant Ms Manisha Harichandan, Council Economic Development Advisor Michael Turner and others are pictured outside Marsden Maritime Holdings Limited.

Pictured from left to right: Mr Sandeep Singh (Commercial Executive Consulate General of India), Dr Madan Mohan Sethi (Consul General of India in New Zealand), Marc Forrester (Head of Development at Marsden Maritime Holdings Limited), Vidura Galpoththage (Chief Financial Officer at Marsden Maritime Holdings Limited), Rosie Mercer (Chief Executive at Marsden Maritime Holdings Limited), Ralph Correa (Chair at Multi Ethnic Collective), Michael Turner (Economic Development Facilitator at Whangarei District Council), Stephen Gibson (New Business & Customer Communications Lead at Marsden Maritime Holdings Limited).

Northland’s business opportunities and offerings have been highlighted during a visit to Whangārei by India’s Consul General to New Zealand, Dr Madan Mohan Sethi.

The Consul General opened a new consulate office in Auckland in September 2024, expanding India’s High Commission services to New Zealand, and emphasising the growing relationship between the two countries.

With Dr Sethi’s role covering Waikato, Auckland and Northland, he has been visiting each area, making connections with businesses and local government representatives.

Following a meeting with Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo and Chair of Whangārei’s Multi-Ethnic Collective Ralph Correa QSM JP, he was invited to return this month to be hosted by Whangarei District Council and meet businesses in the region.

The Consul General Dr Sethi, Commercial Executive Mr Sandeep Singh and Commercial Assistant Ms Manisha Harichandan were warmly welcomed at a series of meetings aimed at building two-way trade and investment between Northland and India, organised by Council’s Economic Development Facilitator, Michael Turner.

Business hosts included Channel Infrastructure, Marsden Maritime Holdings Limited, Northport, Northland Wood Exporters, NIWA Northland Marine Research Centre, Ngawha Innovation & Enterprise Park and Ngāwhā Generation’s Geothermal Power Station.

Mr Turner said the visits were very positive and a range of topics and opportunities were explored.

“Next steps are to connect Consul General Dr Sethi with Indian businesses, Chambers of Commerce and investors, and to hold online meetings with local businesses.

“It is timely that this has happened this month, with our Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and a trade delegation visiting India, and we are all very interested in the potential mutual benefits of working together.”