For PAK’nSAVE Mount Albert owner-operator Harry Chawla, Diwali is about much more than lights, decorations and delicious food. It’s about family, connection and bringing people together.
From colourful celebrations to offering a growing range of Indian groceries, PAK’nSAVE Mount Albert has embraced the diversity of its community this Diwali.
Having moved to New Zealand from India in 2000, Chawla has proudly maintained his cultural traditions while building a life here. Since taking the reins of PAK’nSAVE Mount Albert in June 2017, he has also made celebrating Diwali with his team and customers an important part of store life.
Every year, team members dress in traditional clothing, share food, enjoy music and dancing, and decorate the store and staffroom. Customers can also enjoy Diwali specials and a wide range of traditional Indian products.
“For me, Diwali is about togetherness, happiness and new beginnings. When I see our team dressed in traditional clothing, sharing food, dancing and celebrating together, it genuinely feels like I have another family here," he said.
"What makes it even more special is seeing people from different cultures and backgrounds joining in. That’s the beauty of Mount Albert. We don’t just live alongside different cultures; we embrace them, learn from them and celebrate them together.”
That commitment to celebrating diversity has extended to the supermarket’s shelves, with PAK’nSAVE Mount Albert stocking around 200 specialty Indian products to meet the needs of its large and growing Indian and South Asian customer base, as well as Kiwis exploring new flavours and cuisines.
Over the past year, the store’s international food sales have grown by around 21 percent, with Indian grocery sales up about 26 percent, reflecting rising demand for products that bring authentic flavours and familiar ingredients into customers’ kitchens.
The range includes everyday staples such as flour, ghee, rice, lentils and spices, alongside popular snacks including Kurkure and Little Hearts, sweets and speciality ingredients for festive occasions.
Chawla mentioned that food is such an important connection to culture, family and traditions, and he wanted customers to find the products they grew up with and the ingredients they need for everyday meals, as well as the special foods they love to share during celebrations like Diwali.
He added that it's not just about serving Indian customers, as he saw more Kiwi shoppers embrace different cuisines and flavours, so he will continue to grow the range and make these products accessible and affordable for everyone.
One of Chawla's favourite Diwali treats is kaju katli, a traditional cashew sweet that holds special childhood memories.
“Growing up, it was a real treat and something we couldn’t always afford. Now, I love sharing it with my own children. It’s a reminder of how food connects generations.”
As Mount Albert’s diverse community continues to grow and evolve, Chawla was proud that his supermarket can help customers celebrate their traditions while creating a welcoming place where everyone belongs.
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