Venkat Raman
Auckland, April 22, 2025
Advaita Shetty, a distinguished audiologist, passionate advocate for sexual harm prevention, and founder of the non-profit initiative ‘Can You Hear Me,’ is set to compete for the title Miss Universe New Zealand 2025. With aspirations to become the first Kiwi Indian to hold the Crown, she seeks to transform her childhood dream into reality and champion a meaningful cause on an international stage.
Miss Universe Redefined
The modern era of Miss Universe has redefined beauty pageantry, eliminating restrictions regarding age, height, and marital status. This inclusive approach has enabled women from diverse backgrounds to participate, celebrating individuality and empowerment.
Advaita’s engagement in beauty pageants is far from novel; she previously secured the title of Miss India Worldwide New Zealand 2015, was named Runner-Up in the Miss New Zealand Contest, and earned the prestigious position of First Runner-Up in the Miss Universe Bahrain Contest.
Personal and Professional pursuits
Born in the coastal town of Udupi, South India, Advaita experienced a multicultural upbringing, spending a significant portion of her childhood in the Bahrain (where her parents have been residents for more than 40 years), before relocating to New Zealand when she 18 years old.
Aotearoa New Zealand has played an instrumental role in shaping her education, career and ambitions, fostering her commitment to elevating New Zealand’s presence on the global stage.
Her professional journey as an audiologist was unanticipated yet profoundly fulfilling.
Initially pursuing a Graduate Diploma in Environmental Health at Massey University, she stumbled upon Audiology as a career path. Given that only two Universities in New Zealand offer the programme, admitting a limited number of students annually, her selection for postgraduate qualification (Masters) in Audiology at the University of Auckland was a significant achievement.
Following graduation, she established herself as a practicing Audiologist in Queenstown while simultaneously leading her charitable initiative, ‘Can You Hear Me.’
Through this Organisation, she dedicates her spare time to raising awareness about Hearing Health within the community and was honoured to be recognised as an inspirational figure in the ‘Inspiring Future Leaders’ initiative in the country.
Human and Animal Welfare
Beyond her professional commitments, Advaita has devoted over a decade to animal welfare, having rescued and fostered hundreds of cats and kittens. While she does not work in the field professionally, her unwavering dedication to the cause remains a source of immense pride.
Additionally, she is a staunch advocate for sexual harm prevention, believing in the importance of establishing safe spaces for survivors to share their experiences. She is committed to advancing education on consent and fostering healthy relationships within schools to cultivate a safer future.
Miss Universe New Zealand
This year’s Miss Universe New Zealand Competition would be a testament to the diversity and talent of its participants. Among them are professionals spanning various industries, including Medicine, Law, Education, Policing and Audiology.
Advaita invites supporters to follow her journey via Instagram (@Advaita31) and through the official Miss Universe New Zealand page.
The grand finale of the competition will take place in June, with the winner earning the opportunity to represent New Zealand at the highly anticipated Miss Universe 2025, set to be hosted in Thailand later this year.
The Miss Universe New Zealand finale is scheduled for June 24, 2025 at SkyCity Auckland.
Contestants will be evaluated across various challenges including social media influence, community contributions, preliminary competitions, and interviews, all culminating in the crowning of the ultimate victor.
Advaita is sponsored by Work Threads New Zealand, a local enterprise specialising in designer work apparel, founded by Sheethal Alam. She also expresses her gratitude to the competition’s organisers, Maria and Dwayne, who have revitalised the Franchise, offering Kiwi women a platform that had previously been inaccessible.
Miss Universe Bahrain
Before she pursued the New Zealand title, Advaita competed in Miss Universe Bahrain, hosted in the Maldives, where she secured the First Runner-Up position in both 2023 and 2024. Bahrain, the Island Nation where she spent her formative years, holds a special place in her heart, and she takes immense pride in embodying its cultural diversity within New Zealand. While falling just short of victory (as the First Runner-Up), she embraces the lessons gained from setbacks, recognising their role in fostering resilience and personal development. With her accumulated experience and refined skills, she aspires to claim the title of Miss Universe New Zealand 2025, marking a defining moment in her illustrious journey.
