The Andhra Pradesh Kiwis Association New Zealand (APKANZ) was officially inaugurated at Mount Roskill War Memorial Hall on Saturday, marking the launch of a new community platform for people from Andhra Pradesh living across New Zealand.
The inauguration drew families, community leaders, representatives of Indian community organisations, and well-wishers, who gathered to celebrate the association's formation.
Dr Madan Mohan Sethi, Consul General of India, attended the event as the Chief Guest. Former New Zealand Government Minister Hon Michael Wood and Veer Khar, President of NZICA, were present as Special Guests and extended their best wishes to the newly established association.
The event also brought together several community leaders, including Vai Ravindran, President of the Auckland Tamil Association; Jeet Suchdev, President of Bharatiya Samaj; Janak Raj Bandi, President of the New Zealand Telugu Association; Kalyan Kasuganti, President of the Telangana Central Association New Zealand; Smrithi, President of the Organisation of Hindu Malayali Sangam; Suhas, President of Kannada Kuta; Vishu, President of Basava Samithi; and representatives of the Bihar Jharkhand Samithi.
Other guests included Ravi, Rani Nalam, Indira Sirigiri, Vasu Kunapally, Ilango Krishnamurthy and Ram Mohan Dantala.
The association will be led by President Bujje Babu Nelluri, with Guru Sai Sushwanth Konigeti serving as Secretary and Rajasimha Reddy Vutukur as Treasurer.
The Executive Committee includes Aravinda Singavarapu, Naidu Karanam, Karthik Subramani Gendikotta, Lokesh Vemuri, Lakshman Jommala, Srinivas Nagabathula and Durga Prasad Tala.
Bala Venu Gopal Reddy Beera, Praveen Kumar Motupally and Chowdary Gattipati have been appointed to the Advisory Committee.
Speaking at the inauguration, APKANZ President Bujje Babu Nelluri thanked the community, guests, volunteers, fellow organisations and supporters for their participation and contribution to the event.
“This is not just the beginning of an organisation; it is the beginning of a new journey for the Andhra Pradesh community in New Zealand. APKANZ aims to bring our community together, preserve and promote our Telugu and Andhra culture and traditions, support families and future generations, and build stronger relationships with the wider multicultural community of New Zealand.”
The association said it aims to establish a strong, inclusive and transparent platform representing the aspirations of Andhra Pradesh people across New Zealand.
The inauguration marks the beginning of APKANZ’s efforts to connect the community, promote Telugu and Andhra heritage and foster stronger engagement with New Zealand’s wider multicultural society.