The inauguration celebrations for the new BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Wellington, New Zealand, began on 7 April 2012 with a colourful cruise of three boats across Wellington Harbour. On the boats, the sadhus led devotees from Auckland, Christchurch, Rotorua and surrounding towns in singing celebratory bhajans as the murtis blessed the city.
On 8 April 2012, Pujya Tyagvallabh Swami performed the Murti-Pratishtha Ceremony in the presence of guests and devotees. The murtis, previously sanctified by Pramukh Swami Maharaj in India, were installed in the new mandir a midst the chanting of Vedic mantras. In a special message, Pramukh Swami Maharaj blessed the people of Wellington with peace and spiritual progress.
As part of the Mandir Mahotsav, Pujya Tyagvallabh Swami and the sadhus presided over a special assembly in honor of Shri Harikrishna Maharaj and conducted satsang assemblies to spiritually inspire devotees and well-wishers.