Wellington, 6 July 2025 – The Nepalese Society of Wellington (TNSW) successfully hosted the ‘Chiya-Donut’ Meetup at the Johnsonville Community Centre, bringing together more than 80 individuals. The event served as a vibrant platform for newcomers and established residents to engage with one another, share experiences, and foster a sense of belonging within the Wellington Nepali community.
The highlight of the gathering was a session by Mr. Phillip Pithyou, Community Liaison Officer from the New Zealand Police. Mr. Pithyou provided attendees with a thoughtful overview of the safety services available to residents and shared practical advice on navigating community safety. His presence was a valuable addition, particularly for recent arrivals seeking to understand their new environment.
The event was moderated by Mr. Damodar Neupane, whose warm and engaging presence ensured the smooth flow of the program.
A significant contribution was made by several members of the community who assisted newcomers with transportation. We express our sincere gratitude to Mr. Kabir Bhattarai, Mr. Govind Niroula, Mr. Deeps Gautam, Mr. Sushil Chhetri, Mr. Binay Shrestha, and Mr. Shamsher Lamichhane for their generosity and support in helping attendees feel welcome and included.
The culinary delights were another highlight of the event. The Nepali-style donuts prepared and shared by Ms. Pushpa Bhattarai and Mr. Krishna Aryal were especially well received and evoked a sense of nostalgia of Nepal. Likewise, the masala milk tea prepared by Mr. Dilaram Sapkota was both comforting and flavourful, adding a warm touch to the wintry afternoon. Special thanks are also due to Mr. Ritesh Adhikari, Mr. Dilaram Sapkota, and Ms. Smita Tiwari for organizing and distributing snacks with such care and enthusiasm.
We were honoured to have several respected community members, including Mr. Ramesh Sapkota JP, Ms. Devi Chapagain, Mr. Prem Khanal, Mr. Harry Sharma, and Mr. Pradip Gyawali, share their personal experiences and outline the services they are offering to support newcomers. Their willingness to give back to the community served as an inspiration and valuable source of information for recent arrivals.
TNSW also extends its appreciation to Mr. Saroj Ghale for providing the sound equipment used during the event, and to Aadarsha and Ananya for efficiently managing the registration process and welcoming guests.
The Nepalese Society of Wellington is deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to making this event a success. The Chiya-Donut Meetup fostered a welcoming space and demonstrated the strength and generosity of our community. Most importantly, we extend a warm welcome to all newcomers who joined us—we look forward to supporting your journey in anyway possible.