In a heartwarming display of cultural engagement, New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon won over the internet by trying his hand at making the traditional Indian sweet, jalebi, during his visit to the Sikh Games in Auckland. The incident, captured on video, has sparked a wave of positive reactions online, with many users affectionately dubbing him 'Luxonpreet'.
A Prime Ministerial Culinary Attempt
The highlight of PM Luxon's visit to the sporting event in Takanini was his unexpected foray into the kitchen. Accompanied by local Member of Parliament Rima Nakhle, Luxon stepped behind a large, steaming wok of hot oil to try his skill at crafting the spiral-shaped dessert. Videos circulating on social media show the Prime Minister carefully pouring the batter into the oil, smiling throughout the process.
Luxon himself shared the clip on his official Instagram account, captioning it with a touch of humour. "Getting amongst it at the Sikh Games in Takanini this afternoon with local MP @rimanakhlenz," he wrote. "Good luck to all those competing — and to those who end up eating my attempt at making jalebi!" His light-hearted approach immediately resonated with the public.
Internet Erupts with Praise and 'Luxonpreet'
The video quickly went viral, amassing comments that celebrated the leader's down-to-earth and participative nature. Users flooded the post with compliments and creative nicknames. One user enthusiastically commented on his cooking, writing, "Prime Minister what you cooking its looks dilecions yummy. The best cook awesome." Another highlighted the broader significance, stating, "Unity in Diversity – India & New Zealand."
The sentiment of humility was a common thread, with a third user noting, "Our prime minister is so humble." The most notable reaction, however, was the birth of the affectionate moniker "Luxonpreet," a playful fusion of his surname with the common Sikh suffix '-preet', meaning love. This nickname swiftly gained traction among commenters.
Celebrating the Spirit of the NZ Sikh Games
MP Rima Nakhle also shared photos and details from the event, which featured Prime Minister Luxon alongside ministers Mark Mitchell and Simeon Brown. In her post, she described the NZ Sikh Games as an "amazing, electric, phenomenal" event held at the Bruce Pulman Park sports complex in South Auckland.
She confirmed that the Prime Minister and the ministers "had a fantastic time at the opening ceremony, and afterwards, while meeting many athletes, spectators and volunteers." Nakhle further emphasized the scale and importance of the games, noting they are a large-scale competition featuring both traditional Sikh and Western sports.
"Athletes and spectators travel not only from all across New Zealand, but also from around the world," she wrote, extending congratulations to the organizers and volunteers for a successful event. The visit underscored the New Zealand government's engagement with the country's diverse and vibrant Sikh community, using the universal language of food and sport to connect.
