Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom
India's consulate general in Auckland is moving to a permanent location on Queen Street, with operations officially commencing at the new address from Monday.
The new consulate is located at Level 13, SAP Tower, 151 Queen St, Auckland CBD.
It has been operating temporarily from the Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Eden Terrace since opening in September.
The new office will be open on weekdays from 9:30am to 5pm.
However, visitors must book appointments through the consulate's website before accessing consular services.
"No walk-in queries or submission of applications will be entertained at the new office premises," the Consulate General of India said.
"Applicants are requested to book an online appointment before visiting the consulate for any purpose."
Indian Consul General Madan Mohan Sethi Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom
Last month, Indian Consul General Madan Mohan Sethi confirmed the Auckland office aimed to be fully operational in terms of services by May.
"We provide all consular services here in Auckland … except OCI [Overseas Citizen of India] and visa services," Sethi said. "We intend to add these [to] our offerings once we shift to our permanent premises in the Auckland CBD soon. As such, I expect we should be fully functional by May 1."
The Indian consulate offers services related to passports, Indian citizenship, attestation of documents, police certificates, birth and death certificates, liquor permits, and non-resident Indian certificates, among other things.
It also issues necessary certificates for the repatriation of deceased individuals' remains or ashes to India.
The consulate's jurisdiction covers Auckland, Northland and Waikato.
In the event of an emergency, the consulate advises Indian nationals to call 021-222-7651.
Consulate staff ask individuals requiring assistance to send a brief text outlining the emergency and the services needed.
