I had great fun photoing some of the sights and sounds of the Diwali festival in Auckland, including the opening ceremony featuring Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern. Here are a few of my favourites
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 21: Fireworks illuminate the crowd at the close of the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 21, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 20: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern welcomes the crowd during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 20, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 20: Auckland Mayor Phil Goff announces a special postage stamp to mark the 150th Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 20, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 20: Performers from international dance group the Kalehri Art & Culture Academy entertain the crowds during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 20, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 20: Performers entertain the crowds during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 20, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 21: Shaan Punjabdi Punjabi Kids entertains the crowds during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 21, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 20: Performers from international dance group the Kalehri Art & Culture Academy entertain the crowds during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 20, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 20: Auckland Mayor Phil Goff welcomes the crowd during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 20, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 20: Executive director of the Asia New Zealand Foundation Simon Draper, National Party leader Simon Bridges, Auckland Mayor Phil Goff and Jacinda Ardern welcomes the crowd during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 20, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 21: The Garba Gurus entertain the crowds during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 21, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 20: People enjoy the sights, sounds and smells during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 20, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 21: The Garba Gurus entertain the crowds during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 21, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 20: Performers entertain the crowds during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 20, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 21: A man is lifted up in crowd during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 21, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 21: People enjoy the sights, sounds and smells during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 21, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 21: People enjoy the sights, sounds and smells during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 21, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 20: A performer shows off her hair decorations during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 20, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 20: People take selfies during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 20, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 20: Performers entertain the crowds during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 20, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 20: Performers entertain the crowds during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 20, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 20: Performers entertain the crowds during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 20, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 21: People enjoy the sights, sounds and smells during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 21, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 20: Performers entertain the crowds during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 20, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 21: Fireworks illuminate the crowd at the close of the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 21, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 21: Crowds gather to watch the performers on the Aotea Stage during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 21, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 21: Shaan Punjabdi Punjabi Kids entertains the crowds during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 21, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 21: People enjoy the sights, sounds and smells during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 21, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 20: Performers entertain the crowds during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 20, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 20: Performers entertain the crowds during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 20, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 21: A lady shows her henna tattoos during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 21, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
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- AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 20: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern welcomes the crowd during the 17th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 20, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland’s biggest and most colourful cultural festival, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)