Auckland:
Air New Zealand CEO Nikhil Ravishankar captured the hearts of the audience with a deeply personal and inspiring talk at the Kannada Rajyotsava celebration hosted by the New Zealand Kannada Koota. His story of childhood adventure, cultural identity, migration, early career struggles, and eventual rise to the top of one of New Zealand’s most iconic companies left the gathering both emotional and motivated.

His visit was one of the key highlights of the evening, and his journey resonated strongly with the diverse Indian community present.

Who Is Nikhil Ravishankar

Nikhil Ravishankar is one of the most prominent Indian-origin leaders in New Zealand today. In 2025, he was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Air New Zealand, marking a significant milestone for the Indian community.

Before becoming CEO, he held several senior leadership positions:

  • Chief Digital Officer, Air New Zealand
  • Chief Digital Officer, Vector Limited
  • Senior roles at Accenture across Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand

He is also academically accomplished, holding:

  • Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
  • Bachelor of Commerce with Honours
    from the University of Auckland

Born in India and raised partly in Bengaluru, he moved to New Zealand as a teenager. His journey reflects a blend of courage, adaptation, and a strong drive to build a meaningful life far from home.

A Childhood Full of Adventure and Courage

During his talk, Nikhil shared an unexpected part of his younger life. He grew up close to the wilderness, surrounded by mountains, trekking routes, and rock climbing locations, and spent much of his time outdoors. He recalled:

“My parents would put me on a train as an eleven year old and send me all the way to Delhi so I could travel to mountaineering school. They were incredibly brave. I still remember spending almost a month in the mountains learning independence, problem solving and resilience. Those experiences shaped my outlook early on.”

He spoke of his time rock climbing near Ramanagara and learning that the most rewarding things in life lie outside one’s comfort zone.

Schooling and Values That Stayed for Life

Nikhil studied at St. Paul’s and later moved to St. George’s School in Bengaluru. That school, he said, left a lasting imprint on his personality.

“The biggest lesson I learned at St. George’s was service. It taught me that true joy comes from helping others, and I carry that value even today.”

He also learned cricket there, something he continues to love.

The Move to New Zealand and the Early Struggles

He migrated to New Zealand around the age of 15. The transition was difficult but filled with important lessons.

“Moving to New Zealand takes real courage. It was tough for the first few years. My brother was nine and my parents worked twelve hours a day, seven days a week to help us settle. Those early days taught me resilience and gratitude.”

He said life becomes easier with time, and encouraged newcomers to stay hopeful and patient.

A Family’s Support and the Strength of Community

He shared emotional memories of how family friends became their strongest support system:

“Aunty and Uncle were like home outside of home for us. Having people around you who care makes all the difference. They were the ones we turned to whenever we had questions, and they were always willing to help.”

This strong sense of community helped his family adapt and grow roots in their new country.

The Turning Point: University, Entrepreneurship, and Technology

Nikhil graduated from high school early due to the timing of their migration and soon began university. He double-majored in computer science and commerce.

His interest in technology started much earlier:

“My mum taught me coding when I was eleven. That is where my fascination with computers began.”

He later founded a tech startup with two classmates. They believed, long before it became normal, that people would watch videos on mobile phones.

“People laughed at us when we pitched the idea. They said no one would ever watch TV on a phone. But we persisted.”

Their software eventually became part of the early open-source ecosystem and contributed to Apple’s QuickTime Player, earning them industry recognition.

Travelling the World and Understanding Culture

After university, he spent nearly a year travelling alone. That journey became an important milestone in his worldview.

“I learned that ninety percent of humanity shares the same hopes and values. The other ten percent is cultural difference, and that ten percent is worth understanding. When you bridge those differences honestly, the world opens up for you.”

This philosophy shaped his leadership approach.

Working Across Cultures and Learning Humility

He joined Accenture and later moved to Hong Kong to lead regional telecom transformation programs. One of the most influential moments happened there:

“I tried to make quick changes and two team members were frustrated without knowing I could hear them. That day I called my father for advice. He reminded me that I must respect cultural differences and learn like a student again.”

The experience taught him humility and the importance of understanding people before leading them.

Stepping Into Large-Scale Leadership

He returned to New Zealand and held senior technology positions before being invited to join Air New Zealand.

“When leaders you admire call you to join their team, you say yes. The last four and a half years rebuilding Air New Zealand with twelve thousand people have been the most rewarding.”

He emphasised that leadership is not about the individual but about helping others succeed.

Becoming CEO of Air New Zealand

In 2025, Nikhil was selected as CEO of Air New Zealand.

“It is a privilege and a responsibility. Air New Zealand is an important part of this country’s identity. My goal is to serve our customers, support our staff and help the airline continue to grow.”

He ended his talk by inviting the community to fly with the national carrier with pride.

A Powerful Message for Everyone

Throughout his speech, Nikhil returned to the same core values:

  • Step outside your comfort zone
  • Serve others
  • Respect cultural differences
  • Stay humble
  • Support your community
  • Work hard and stay focused on long-term goals
  • Success is a team effort

His journey from a young boy in Bengaluru to the CEO of Air New Zealand inspired the entire audience.