Three Nations, One Stage: Gala Dinner Sets the Scene for Miss India South Pacific Finale Tonight

Contestants from New Zealand, Fiji and Australia came together for Thursday’s Spectrum Legal gala dinner ahead of tonight’s inaugural grand finale at Auckland Town Hall.

By Webfit News | 23 October 2026

A police officer pursuing her childhood modelling dream. A medical student with ambitions in neurosurgery. Lawyers, engineers, entrepreneurs, dancers and community advocates.

The women heading to the Miss India South Pacific 2026 Grand Finale bring much more than their evening wear to Auckland.

Following Thursday evening’s Spectrum Legal Miss India South Pacific 2026 Gala Dinner, attention now turns to the inaugural grand finale at the Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall, tonight, Friday, 23 October, at 7:30pm.

The event brings together contestants from Australia, Fiji and New Zealand, connecting Indian heritage with the lives and aspirations of women across the South Pacific.

A Bollywood-themed welcome

Thursday’s gala dinner provided an opportunity for contestants, sponsors and supporters to come together before the competition.

The Bollywood-themed occasion welcomed traditional, modern and fusion outfits, with a programme featuring contestant introductions, sponsor messages, dinner and photographs.

Images captured by Jasmin Sheikh show contestants addressing the gathering, guests sharing the occasion and group portraits marking the evening before the finale.

Tonight, those introductions become performances, questions and answers, and the opportunity to represent their communities on an international stage.

Meet Team New Zealand

Chetna Sharma

Born in Jalandhar, Punjab, and raised in New Zealand, Chetna Sharma is a University of Auckland graduate who majored in mathematics and statistics. She works full-time as a sales consultant and has travelled to around 18 countries.

Her profile highlights a strong connection to her Indian roots alongside her Kiwi upbringing. Through the pageant, she encourages women to make their own choices rather than allow fear of other people’s opinions to hold them back.

Jiya Gandhi

Jiya Gandhi is a third-year law student at Auckland University of Technology. Born in New Delhi, she moved to New Zealand with her parents at 14 and is now based in Auckland.

Alongside studying, she works part-time as an office administrator at a luxury store and volunteers with Citizens Advice Bureau. Her profile also highlights international student representation. She wants young women to recognise that education, a career and personal passions can grow together.

Karan Randhawa

Born in Amritsar, Karan Randhawa moved to New Zealand in 2013. Her academic background includes economics and mathematics, with a medal recognising her academic achievement.

She joined New Zealand Police in 2024, fulfilling her mother’s dream, while continuing to pursue her own childhood ambition of modelling. A Miss IndiaNZ 2024 finalist, she now brings both parts of her journey to the South Pacific stage.

Mahi Desai

Mahi Desai is a provisional Chartered Accountant member pursuing a career in auditing. Away from her professional work, she is a premier netball player, coach and umpire.

Named Miss Popular at Miss IndiaNZ 2025, where she was also a talent finalist, Mahi brings interests in leadership, teamwork and women’s empowerment. She hopes to encourage young women to pursue their ambitions without feeling they must compromise their identity.

Oshaani Khetarpal

Oshaani Khetarpal, the Miss IndiaNZ 2025 first runner-up, is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Auckland, studying towards a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.

With aspirations in neurosurgery, she also works as a fashion and commercial model and has experience in events, entertainment, youth mentoring, dance and theatre. Her message centres on women embracing their intelligence, ambition, culture and individuality together.

Serena Sharma

Serena Sharma, the Miss IndiaNZ 2025 second runner-up, is completing her final year of a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Auckland, majoring in marketing and management.

A marketing professional, young entrepreneur and premier netball player, she balances work, study, volunteering and creative projects. Proud of her New Zealand, Indian and Fijian heritage, Serena hopes to show young women that they can pursue more than one dream.

Meet Team Fiji

Archana Shayal Lata

Born and raised in Fiji, Archana Shayal Lata is a high school teacher specialising in history and geography. She is also an entrepreneur, dancer, model and content creator.

Named Miss Popular at Miss India South Pacific Fiji 2026, Archana has mentored girls’ soccer teams and served as secretary of the Southern Zones Soccer Association. Her advocacy includes women’s empowerment and raising awareness of drug harm among young people.

Khushi Bulsara

Khushi Bulsara, the Miss India South Pacific Fiji 2026 first runner-up, brings together business, creativity and community service.

She holds a bachelor’s degree covering international business and marketing, and human resources management, and is pursuing postgraduate studies in public administration. An entrepreneur running a surprise gift delivery business and a certified makeup artist, Khushi also enjoys dance and content creation. Her message emphasises kindness, confidence and individuality.

Mannishka Shannon Lal

Born and raised in Suva, Mannishka Shannon Lal is a lawyer working as a senior lodgments and legal officer. She was named second runner-up at Miss India South Pacific Fiji 2026.

Alongside her career, she is pursuing postgraduate study in international affairs and gender. Her profile highlights a commitment to justice, education, women’s empowerment and community service, with a desire to inspire young people to pursue their ambitions with confidence.

Shomal Naidu

The reigning Miss India South Pacific Fiji 2026 winner, Shomal Naidu was born and raised in Sigatoka and is a second-generation Fiji Indian of South Indian heritage.

She attended boarding school at St Cuthbert’s College in Auckland before completing a Bachelor of Law at the University of the South Pacific in 2024 and a Professional Diploma in Legal Practice in 2025. Admitted to the Bar in 2026, she is a licensed legal practitioner in Fiji and also works in human resources at BL Naidu & Sons Ltd.

Her interests include modelling, mentoring and netball. She hopes to encourage others to believe in themselves and work towards their dreams.

Meet Team Australia

Anuja Nikam

Anuja Nikam is an engineering leader and creative entrepreneur whose experience spans engineering, business and sport.

She holds a master’s qualification in mechanical engineering and engineering management and previously worked as a mechanical engineer at Mahindra & Mahindra in Mumbai. Now leading a team in the Australian public sector, she also runs a videography and content creation business.

A former state-level gymnast in Maharashtra, Anuja is involved in Melbourne City Centre Toastmasters and the events team at Last Minute Production. Her message encourages women to keep learning, embrace change and create opportunities throughout their lives.

Bhavya Sri Kurelli

Melbourne-based Bhavya Sri Kurelli was named first runner-up at Miss India South Pacific Australia 2026, where she was also a talent finalist.

An RMIT University software engineering graduate working as a software developer, she has professional experience with ANZ. She is also trained in Kuchipudi dance.

Bhavya entered the competition to step outside her comfort zone, gain new experiences and build friendships. She hopes to encourage others to embrace their heritage and pursue their ambitions with confidence and authenticity.

Devi Divakala

The reigning Miss India South Pacific Australia 2026 winner, Devi Divakala is an Indian-born architect and Australian construction professional.

Raised in a small town in Andhra Pradesh, she is also an NGO founder, entrepreneur, model and actress. Her profile describes a journey across athletics, architecture, entertainment and pageantry.

Devi hopes to encourage women to dream boldly, embrace their individuality and challenge limitations through courage and purpose.

Gurleen Kaur

Originally from Ludhiana, Punjab, Gurleen Kaur lives in Melbourne and works as an intensive care nurse.

She earned a place among the top seven finalists at Miss India South Pacific Australia 2026, progressing to the Auckland grand finale.

Gurleen’s journey connects her commitment to nursing with her passion for pageantry. She wants to show that women can honour their roots while confidently pursuing the interests and opportunities that matter to them.

Ravneet Kaur

Born in India and raised in Australia from the age of four, Ravneet Kaur is a Melbourne-based Bachelor of Science student at the University of Melbourne, majoring in cell and developmental biology.

She hopes to continue into oral health and build a career helping others. Her interests include Punjabi language, Bhangra, Teeyan, swimming, dance and fitness.

Ravneet wants young people to know that they can remain connected to their heritage while pursuing their ambitions.

Saisha Sethi

Saisha Sethi is a Melbourne-based law and international studies student, Bollywood dancer, choreographer and entrepreneur.

She founded Fusion Beat by Saishaa, a dance school celebrating Indian culture and helping young performers build confidence. At the Australian competition, she was selected among the top seven finalists and was also a talent finalist.

Her message is that education and passion can develop together, with young people building their futures while continuing to honour their culture.

Sana Bhaskar

Born and raised in Melbourne, Sana Bhaskar is a communications student specialising in advertising and public relations strategy, with ambitions in screen acting.

She works as a customer service specialist and tutor and has interests in storytelling, creativity and media. Her cheerleading experience has also helped develop discipline, teamwork and resilience.

Named second runner-up and Miss Friendship at Miss India South Pacific Australia 2026, Sana encourages others to lead with kindness and remain comfortable in their own identity.

Additional contestants listed on the official website

The official contestant directory also includes Mantasha Shaikh for Team New Zealand and Darshana Lal for Team Fiji. They join the women profiled above in the website’s 19-person directory.

A celebration built across borders

Produced by Rhythm House Events & Films, led by Dharmesh Parikh, Miss India South Pacific builds on the history of Miss IndiaNZ and extends the platform across three countries.

Tonight’s programme includes the Made in India traditional attire round, an optional talent round for contestants competing for Miss Talent, a Cultural Round celebrating the three participating countries, questions and answers, and the crowning.

For audiences, it is an opportunity to enjoy culture and performance while supporting women whose journeys reach into healthcare, law, education, engineering, business and the creative arts.

Be there for the inaugural grand finale

Thursday was about meeting the contestants. Tonight is the opportunity to cheer them on.

Bring your friends and family, support your favourite contestant and be part of the first Miss India South Pacific Grand Finale.

Friday, 23 October 2026
7:30pm
Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall

Book tickets through Auckland Live:

https://www.aucklandlive.co.nz/show/miss-india-south-pacific-2026-grand-finale

Explore the contestant profiles:

https://www.missindiasouthpacific.com/contestants

Webfit Solutions Limited is a proud sponsor of Miss India South Pacific 2026, and Webfit News is the event’s media partner. We are pleased to support this celebration of culture, ambition and community across New Zealand, Fiji and Australia.

Gala dinner photography: Jasmin Sheikh. Contestant introductions based on the supplied official profiles.