Indian heritage echoes through Wellington suburb with Punjab, Amritsar and Ravi streets
Harjinder Singh Basiala
Auckland (New Zealand), February 24, 2026:In the rolling green hills of Wellington, New Zealand’s capital, a suburb quietly carries the fragrance of India and Punjab in its very street signs. Khandala (Khandallah), often described by members of the Indian diaspora as a ‘Little Punjab’, is home to roads named Punjab Street, Amritsar Street and Ravi Street—living symbols of a historic and cultural bridge between the two nations.
The origins of the suburb’s name trace back to the 19th century, when it was reportedly named after the famous Indian hill station Khandala by a British-Indian army officer who had spent years in India.
Over time, the area developed into a residential settlement with a distinct character, and after 1919 several English street names were replaced with Indian ones, embedding South Asian geography permanently into Wellington’s landscape.
Today, more than 30 roads in the area reflect Indian cities, rivers, regions and personalities, including Bombay Street, Delhi Crescent, Calcutta Street, Ganga Road, Indus Street and Kashmir Avenue.
For Punjabis, however, Punjab Street and Ravi Street hold a special emotional resonance, while Amritsar Street stands as a reminder of Sikh heritage and faith.
The Sikh community in the region formally organised itself in 1991, and the first Gurdwara Sahib was established in 1997, further strengthening cultural roots in the country.
The Indian imprint is not confined to Wellington alone. Across New Zealand, names such as Khyber Pass Road in Auckland, Surat Bay in the South Island, and Dehradun Road in Riwaka reflect historic links dating back to colonial and maritime connections. What began as naming conventions influenced by officers, settlers and ships has evolved into enduring markers of multicultural identity.
As India–New Zealand relations, formally established in 1952, continue to expand in trade and diplomacy, the streets of Khandala stand as quiet yet powerful reminders of a shared past. In this hillside suburb, every signboard reading Punjab, Amritsar or Ravi is more than a direction—it is a testament to memory, migration and a heritage that has travelled across oceans and found a home far from its origin.