Past Executive Committees

Executive Committee 2022-2023

Sasidharan Nambissan
President
Chemical Engineer by profession, worked in India, Dubai and New Zealand for the last couple of decades. Served the Malayali community as President of Auckland Malayali Samajam in 2009, Vice President in 2013 while also serving the New Zealand community as a Justice of the Peace (JP) for New Zealand since 2013
Dhanya Anup
Vice - President

A strong Mahadev devotee , self-employed in dental industry -running dental clinics for past 10 years , a passionate cook and loves traveling. I was an active member of Keral Hindu Community of Wellington during a short span of time we lived there. I am proud to be in the team OHM NZ 2022-2023 ,looking forward to work towards the prosperity of Samajam.

Devi Sobhana
Secretary
A Human Resources advisor by profession. A trained Carnatic musician, teacher and Director of Ragas of Devi a creative art company that promotes art and culture. Passionate about women empowerment and works relentlessly with different social forums to inspire educate and support other women in the society.
Nitha Vayoth
Joint Secretray

A Clinical Pharmacist by profession with a varied experience in the Pharmacy field in India, Dubai and presently in New Zealand. Came to New Zealand in 2020 and very new to this country and the system as such, but extremely happy and obliged to have the opportunity to be a part of Hindu Samajam. I am looking forward to playing an active role as an Executive member.

Sobha Manmadhan Nair
Treasurer

An IT professional in NZ, associated with Malayali Samajam as a Malayalam teacher for the children. Being part of OHM NZ for the last couple of years.  Would love to continue working with the organization for its growth and prosperity

Abijith Manayil
Executive Committee Member
A Bombay Malayalee, who has worked in Dubai before moving to NZ in 2019. Educated in the Aviation Industry, Sales Engineer by profession and currently serving in the Electronics manufacturing domain.
Ajai Nair
Executive Committee Member

Engineering Graduate in Electronics and Communication. Had 20 years of fulfilling career on various roles in the Telecom industry both in Middle East and India. Now enjoying life in New Zealand as a Truck Driver.

Ramesh Keetezhathu
Executive Committee Member

An Electronics Engineer by profession likes volunteering for causes like Culture, Education, Environment, and Human Rights. Love reading and having a good conversation on almost anything under the sun; especially about Arts, Politics, Science and Spirituality. Passionate about travelling and is a photography enthusiast.

Dr Sankar Namboothiri
Executive Committee Member

Chemical & Materials Engineer by profession. Sankar finds peace by connecting with nature and is a running enthusiast. Also, he is interested in spirituality.   He first came to Auckland in 2002 and returned to India in 2011. He used to be active in Malayalee cricket circles back then. Last year, he returned to Auckland for good. Very interested in giving something back to the community.

Sudheesh Nair
Executive Committee Member

Came to NZ a decade ago as a student to study hospitality and have lived in Auckland and Wellington. Currently working in the insurance industry, passionate about food and drinks and always love a good opportunity to get involved in helping others. A dog lover who enjoys his time with his golden retriever too. First time getting involved with the community organization and he hopes to assist our community in whatever possible way he can.

Maneesh Muraleedharan
Executive Committee Member

My name is Maneesh Muraleedharan hailing from Mavelikara ,Kerala, INDIA. I came to NZ in August 2010 as a student and did my Diploma in 3D Animation from Media Design School, Auckland. After completing my course I worked as Multi Media professional for couple of years. Later in 2016, I joined my new venture with a firm based in Ponsonby who is market leader of providing virtual marketing materials to real estate companies. In 2021, I setup my own company as well which provides visual marketing services to the real estate companies.

Executive Committee 2021-2022

Chelat Divakara Menon
President

Accountant by profession, worked in managerial positions in Bahrain and New Zealand. Also served as the Treasurer of AMHS during 2019-2021. Believes in open and honest communication with all and want to offer an inclusive, impartial and selfless service to the communities. 

Girijan Menon
Vice – President

A devotee of Shri Shirdi Saibaba, an active volunteer in the temple activities,works in the health industry.

Soumini Raja Varma
Secretary

Software programmer by profession, amateur dancer, and a keen enthusiast of traditional art forms.

Girish Nair
Joint Secretray

An Accountant back in India, Girish currently working in the Healthcare sector for the last eight years in New Zealand.

Sethu Arjunan
Treasurer

Accountant by profession and has been very active in community service. Served as the president of Amma New Zealand for three years and held the position of treasurer for the committee of AMHS for 2 years.

Amal Raveendran
Executive Committee Member

An avid motorcyclist, one of the founding members of Riders of Kerala (ROK NZ), He is a mechanical engineer by profession and has been calling New Zealand home since 2010.

Indu Rajashekharan Nair
Executive Committee Member

A native of Trivandrum, Indu came to Kiwi land 5 years ago. She works in the shipping industry and is passionate about classical dance, organising events and community causes 

Dr.Smitha Nair
Executive Committee Member

Clinical Scientist by profession, Smitha enjoys gardening and nature photography. Very passionate about – our culture and traditions; volunteering and giving back to the society

Shobhana Surendranath Nair
Executive Committee Member

A working mother who is passionate about what she’s doing for the community and is a regular participant in voluntary services at Auckland City Mission.

Vignesh Sambasivan
Executive Committee Member

A civil engineer, living in New zealand for the last 4 years. An enthusiast who loves to travel and experience different cultures.

Ambi Shanker
Executive Committee Member

A corporate lawyer for 6 years back in India and currently a part time student as well while working full time.

Executive Committee 2019-2021

Gopal Ayyar

President

Being one of the founder members of our Samajam,it’s my proud responsibility that I enthusiastically stand for the unity amongst Hindus . I am very inclined to help others when they are in need . My area of professional expertise is in accounting and also as a personal insurance advisor.

Vice – President​

Shobhana Surendranath Nair

Secretary

A working mother who is passionate about what she’s doing for the community and is a regular participant in voluntary services at Auckland City Mission.

Rakesh Varma

Joint Secretray

Engineer by profession, enjoys being with nature more than anything. Passionate about photography, spirituality and being with the wild, keeps his family as the priority. He believes “When life gets harder, challenge yourself to be stronger.

Shanta Menon
Joint Secretary

Even though born and raised in Maharashtra, she has a strong connection with Motherland Kerala with a lot of love for Kerala culture and Temples. She is also very passionate about community service and Environment.

Chelat Divakara Menon
Treasurer

Accountant by profession, worked in managerial positions in Bahrain and New Zealand. Believes in open and honest communication with all and want to offer an inclusive, impartial and  selfless service to the communities

Rajesh Poomarathil
Joint Treasurer

An Engineer by profession currently working with Vector Limited, He believes that instilling our values and culture to our younger generation by celebrating our traditions and customs will augment their understanding of Sanatana Dharma.

Athulya Mohandas
Executive Committee Member

A post-graduate in Business Administration and working as Advertising specialist in a reputed Media business. Passionate about dance & arts and enjoys spending time with her family. Motto in life: If you believe, you can achieve.

Krishnakumar Menon
Executive Committee Member

Krishnakumar Menon, fondly known as KK is an IT professional who is passionate about community service, Hindu culture and history, and photography.

Ravishankar Ramachandran
Executive Committee Member

A Senior IT Consultant and a Subject Matter Expert on Registry Solutions, settled in Auckland since late 1990s. Passionate hiker, badminton enthusiast who takes pride in the contribution towards the growth of AMHS.

Executive Committee 2018-2019

Gopal Ayyar

President

Being one of the founder members of our Samajam,it’s my proud responsibility that I enthusiastically stand for the unity amongst Hindus . I am very inclined to help others when they are in need . My area of professional expertise is in accounting and also as a personal insurance advisor.

Pradeep Achary

Vice – President​

Cijimon Kesavan

Secretary

From Perumbavoor, in NZ from 2008, currently working at Port of Auckland as Reefer Tech. Was in the formation committee of AMHS and later worked as the position of Joint secretary and General Secretary during 2017-2019 tenure.

Ajith Kumar Vadake Kundully

Joint Secretray

IT specialist by profession, gardening and badminton are my hobbies. He became part of AMHS when it was formed in 2017 and contribute to this community in all possible ways.

Sethu Arjunan Pillai
Treasurer

Accountant by profession, with 17 years managing a business in Dubai prior to coming to NZ, his native place is in Kollam, and has served as the president of Amma New Zealand for three years.

Maju Nair
Joint Treasurer

Based in Auckland as a Supply Chain Technology consultant with a global standards organisation. His “karma calling” is based on the ancient Indian cultural teaching “Sava parmodarmam”. He believes “Vedic sciences” is the biggest contribution of Indian Culture to mankind and so takes a keen interest in the same.

Jayaraj Koliyat
Executive Committee Member

A technical lead working for a leading software company in New Zealand.  Along with his wife and 2 kids is currently residing in Auckland. His native place is Kannur.

Sudhir Nair
Executive Committee Member

Originally from Kottayam and migrated to NZ in 2003. Worked as Payroll Manager of Te Roopu Taurima, before migrating to Melbourne in July 2018. He worked as General Secretary for AMHS during the period 2018-2019. He worked as the secretary for 6 months until moving to Australia. 

Shantha Menon
Executive Committee Member

Even though born and raised in Maharashtra, she has a strong connection with Motherland Kerala with a lot of love for Kerala culture and Temples. She is also very passionate about community service and Environment.

Sajitha Vinod
Executive Committee Member

Born and brought up in Kannur, She moved with husband and son to Auckland nearly 20years ago and is currently working for Ports of Auckland. Loves to do gardening and very involved with Malayali Hindu culture.

Shobhana Surendranath Nair
Executive Committee Member

A working mother who is passionate about what she’s doing for the community and is a regular participant in voluntary services at Auckland City Mission.