At SkyCity Theatre, Auckland CBD on September 15 at 6.30 pm
Venkat Raman
Auckland, August 31, 2024
The fact that beauty alone is not an attribute to winning a title will be demonstrated in Auckland next fortnight at an annual beauty pageant.
Miss IndiaNZ 2024 will go beyond the usual catwalk and the inevitable question and answer session to inquire into the histrionic talents of 23 contestants, including those from Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and other cities.
They will showcase their multifaceted talents and their proud Indian culture and heritage.
Dharmesh Parekh, Director of Rhythm House Events (Reshabh D Parikh Productions), the man behind the show deserves credit for having assembled an array of beauty and talent and is justly proud of this event.
Celebrating Culture
Speaking at the official launch of this year’s Miss IndiaNZ Edition on August 11, 2024, he said that since its launch in 2002, this Project continues to celebrate the beauty, talent, and cultural richness of the Kiwi-Indian community.
“Get ready, Aotearoa, for the 22nd Annual Miss IndiaNZ on Sunday, 15th September at SkyCity Theatre, which will be transformed into a Bollywood Wonderland as 23 gorgeous and talented contestants from around New Zealand compete for the prestigious title of Miss IndiaNZ 2024,” he said at the launch.
He asked admirers of beauty and talent to be prepared to be dazzled by an unforgettable showcase of Kiwi-Indian elegance, fashion, music, and dance.
Celebrated Performers
“You will also enjoy electrifying live performances from Sa Re Ga Ma Pa winner and Indian Idol finalist Kaushik Deshpande, along with Reema Janveka, Ankita Ghatani, and many others. Miss Popular Voting is now open. Please Text INDIANZ followed by the contestant’s name to 4199 before 5 pm on September 14, 2024,” Dharmesh said.
Tickets can be purchased at www.missindianz.co.nz or by texting 4199 INDIANZ Ticket.
Dharmesh said that this year’s Miss IndiaNZ edition is presented by Spectrum Legal and powered by Upashna Travels.
Among the other sponsors are Kaysons, ZeeVee Financial Services, Bank of India NZ Ltd., Aariya Events, Auckland Indian Association, Auckland Indian Sweets, Radio Tarana and Indian Newslink.
“Produced by Rhythm House Events and Films, Miss IndiaNZ has become a premier platform showcasing Kiwi-Indian elegance, fashion, music, and dance. Over the past two decades, more than 500 talented Kiwi-Indian women have participated in this prestigious event.
This year’s Miss IndiaNZ contestants are of Indian, Fiji-Indian and South African origin in addition to Indians from other parts of the world who now call New Zealand home. From engineers and healthcare professionals to bank managers and police officers, these women are united by their passion to represent the Kiwi-Indian community at this extravagant national event, showcasing their beauty, talent, and cultural pride,” he said.
Over the years, contestants have expressed their passion for this event.
Global Opportunity
A participant in 2012 said, “I want to be able to set a good example for the youth today and show them that risking our own health and well-being does not result in a better life. Representing my countries- India and New Zealand would also be a great opportunity as it will allow me to learn more about myself and my culture by pushing and experimenting with my limits through the experience of Miss IndiaNZ. Being on the Miss IndiaNZ stage would also be a great honour and privilege as it is a stage where not many people get the chance to perform and it is one of the experiences I will highly cherish.”
Answering a judge’s question, “What do you hope to gain from participating in Miss IndiaNZ?” a contestant said, “I hope to gain experience in the entertainment industry, a more defined self-identity, and an opportunity to use this platform to help people with psychological difficulties as this pageant may open more doors for me to enter the volunteer work in the more serious fields of psychology.”
Youth Power
One of the most significant aspects of the participation of the young women was their positive mental attitude and belief that they could face an international audience and compete against each other, winning in the process new friends, goodwill and understanding.
Most Miss IndiaNZ have graduated to compete and win global contests become internationally renowned singers, and dancers or gained an entry to the Hindi film industry hoping to make it big someday. Their aspirations never go in vain.
