Our Team
Mrs. Sanika Sathe Sain
President
Contact: +64 20 407 63343
Namaskaar!
My name is Sanika Sathe Sain, and I am honoured to serve as President of Auckland Marathi Association.
For me, Marathi culture is not only about festivals and food; it is about language, belonging, shared memories, values, humour, music, theatre and the feeling of finding home even when we are far from Maharashtra.
I wanted to be part of AMAI because I believe our community has so much talent, warmth and potential, and I would love to help bring that together in a more organised, inclusive and meaningful way.
In this role, I hope to support stronger teamwork, clearer planning and events that connect children, youth, families and seniors.
Outside AMAI, I enjoy photography, creative projects and community conversations
Mrs. Isha Bakshi
Secretary
Contact: +64 22 590 9160
Namaskaar!
My name is Isha Bakshi and I will be serving as a Secretary of Auckland Marathi Association Inc.
Being part of the Marathi community in Auckland has given me a sense of connection and belonging, and I would love the opportunity to give back by serving as Secretary of the Auckland Marathi Association.
For me, our community is more than just cultural events—it’s about creating friendships, supporting one another, and keeping our traditions alive for future generations. I am passionate about bringing people together, staying organised, and helping things run smoothly behind the scenes. I would be honoured to contribute my time and skills to support the Association and help strengthen our community.
Mrs. Neha Revankar
Treasurer
Contact: +64 22 165 8293
Namaskar!
मराठी संस्कृती ही आपली ओळख, आणि परंपरा हा आपला अभिमान.
Being a part of the committee I would like to contribute to preserving and celebrating Maharashtra’s rich cultural legacy through festivals, community events, and cultural programs. I strongly believe that traditions help unite communities and create a sense of belonging across generations.
Alongside I have a keen interest in dancing. Participating in cultural performances allows me to showcase the energy and spirit of Maharashtrian traditions while fostering community engagement.
जिथे मराठी माणूस, तिथे संस्कृतीचा सुगंध! 
Mr. Jaigopal Oberoi
Sponsorship
Contact: +64 22 500 5155
Namaskar!
I am very happy to be a part of this wonderful Auckland Marathi Association Inc (AMAI) community group.
This group is a great platform to celebrate and preserve our Marathi culture, language, traditions, and the spirit of togetherness. I look forward to sharing experiences, supporting each other, and building new friendships and connections within the community.
I am excited to connect with all of you and contribute positively to this group.
Thank you, and warm greetings to everyone!
Mrs. Reshma Birwatkar
Social Media and IT
Contact: +64 21 169 8927
Namaskar and Kia Ora!
I chose to be a part of AMAI because I am passionate about serving and giving back to our Marathi community. For the past four years, I’ve volunteered across various community initiatives, including teaching culture and language to children and supporting many community events.
In this role; I will enjoy using my technical and creative skills, including website development and managing digital platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. I believe these skills can help in strengthening communication, increasing community engagement, and supporting the growth of our AMAI group.
Professionally, I work in Healthcare sector. In my free time, I enjoy dancing and creating visual art, which are my favorite creative outlets.
मराठी समाजाची सेवा करण्याची संधी मिळणे हा माझ्यासाठी सन्मान आहे.
मनःपूर्वक धन्यवाद!
Mrs. Sayali Rane Dalvi
Community Engagement
Contact: +64 22 093 0858
Namaskaar!
मराठी संस्कृती ही आपली ओळख आहे—ती जपताना आणि पुढे नेताना तिच्यात नवे अर्थ आणि अनुभव जोडत राहणे हे माझे ध्येय आहे.
Creative expression has always been an important part of who I am, and I believe it plays a meaningful role in how we connect, celebrate, and share our culture as a community. My time at Sir J. J. College, Mumbai has helped shape my creative expression, design thinking, and approach to visual storytelling.
For me, Marathi culture is about identity, connection, and a sense of home that we carry with us wherever we are. My focus is on contributing through creative expression and community engagement, helping shape cultural experiences that are thoughtful, inclusive, and visually engaging for all generations.
संस्कृती जपताना, तिला नव्या पिढीपर्यंत अभिमानाने घेऊन जाणे हेच माझे प्रयत्न.
Mr. Swapnil Paranjape
Event Coordination
Contact: +64 22 523 1919
Namaskaar!
परकीयांच्या टाचांखाली भाषा आमची चिरडली गेली,पण अभिमानाची ठिणगी तिच्या अंतरात कधीच विझली नाही.
I chose to join the team of AMAI to spread awareness about Marathi culture amongst Indian youth who are oblivious about it, I also intend to spread importance of joining this community to the Indian youth as this community helps in career growth.
I have more than 10 years of experience in event management and I have done anchoring amongst wide crowd. As an event manager I will make sure the event is a plus one leaving no room for complains, no room for discrepancies and will be only entertainment entertainment and entertainment. This year onwards our events will be special and exciting and I will make sure of that. My core areas of event management include anchoring and logistics.
Outside AMAI I am a business development specialist in Insurance sector and a hospitality professional. I take interest in fitness, cycling, dancing, travelling and community conversations.
Mr. Rohan Ghodke
Digital Content & Communications
Contact: +64 22 156 2289
Namaskaar!
I am incredibly happy to be a member of the Auckland Marathi Association. I have been passionate about social service since childhood, and I am deeply grateful to this community for giving me this wonderful opportunity.
I am taking up the role of a Content Creator for our association. Through my work and with the support of the Auckland Marathi Association, my goal is to promote the Marathi language and our rich culture to everyone. I will put in my best efforts, and I hope you will all appreciate my work.
महाराष्ट्राची संस्कृती, मराठी माणसाची शान… जपूया आपला अभिमान!
जय महाराष्ट्र!!!
Ms. Aanya Divekar
Sports and Entertainment
Contact: +64 21 029 91715
Namaskaar!
I’m a second year uni student studying psychology, and work part time in hospitality. I’m very passionate about sports and fitness I believe working out is crucial for both physical and mental wellbeing. Marathi culture to me means having tasty Mararastian cuisines as well as a wonderful outreach in threathe, festivals.
As a child I grew up around AMAI through my parents who are passionate about keeping culture alive and being passed down to the younger generation.
I chose to be part of AMAI to expand my knowledge to the community and contribute towards my culture . In this role, I hope to bring fun activities for everyone to enjoy from children to seniors .
Outside AMAI, I enjoy cooking, spending time with friends and the beach.
Mrs. Gauri Puranik
Cultural Management
Contact: +64 21 026 36800
Namaskar!
मराठी संस्कृतीचा वारसा जतन करणे आणि पुढच्या पिढीपर्यंत पोहोचवणे हेच माझे ध्येय.
With over 12 years of training in Bharatnatyam and deep involvement in cultural activities & festivals, I’ve seen firsthand how art and tradition bring people together. As Cultural Head, I aim to curate meaningful programs that celebrate Maharashtra’s rich heritage while creating spaces for our community in Aotearoa to connect, participate, and grow.
Dance has always been my way of expressing the spirit of our culture. I believe every festival, every performance is an opportunity to pass on our values, music, and traditions to the next generation.
मी जिथे पाऊल टाकेन, तिथे संस्कृती फुलवेन.
Mr. Rishit Walavalkar
Sports and Entertainment
Contact: +64 22 062 4532
Namaskaar!
I am serving as a Sports and Entertainment member in AMAI. I am a Year 2 Bachelor of Architecture and Future Environments student at AUT, with a strong love for sport and design. Marathi culture means connection to my roots, the warmth of festivals, the food, and the sense of belonging that comes from being part of a close knit community, even while growing up in Auckland. I chose to be part of AMAI because I wanted to give back to a community that has shaped my identity and stay connected to fellow Marathi youth here in New Zealand. In this role, I hope to bring our community together through sport and fun events, creating friendly competition and memorable experiences for everyone.
Mrs. Farha Naz Metrani
Career Development
Contact: +64 22 044 5356