Hamilton (New Zealand), Oct 2 : A mega function would be held here Saturday by the Indian community in New Zealand to mark the birth anniversary of legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh. And a New Zealander of British ancestry will be one of the sponsors of the programme.

Richard Howard, managing director of reputed immigration consultancy Pathways, is only happy to chip in for the patriotic function being organised by the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Memorial Trust in Hamilton and will deliver a keynote address for the gathering of around 1,500 Indians.

"Without going into good or bad sagas of history, I wish to establish a good rapport with each ethnic community in New Zealand, including Indians, who are emerging as a major international market," said Howard.

The British rulers in India had hanged to death the revolutionary Indian patriot along with two associates, Rajguru and Sukhdev, in 1931 when he was just 23.

"The ceremony turns out to be great for us as a British-New Zealander, Richard Howard, has agreed to be the part of it as a sponsor. We welcome this gesture to garner better ties," said Jugraj Singh Mahil, chairperson of the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Memorial Trust, which was set up in 2008.(IANS)