Govardhan (Gordy) Mallela, Group Financial Controller of the C.P. Group, and a Chartered Accountant in TAS NZ Limited takes time out to speak to the Indian Weekender.


What has been the highlight of your journey in New Zealand? What has given you a sense of achievement?
I came to NZ, 16 years back. I did chartered accountancy here and have been practicing for over 15 years now. My company, TAS NZ Ltd, (Tax and Accounting Services), a chartered accountancy firm is flourishing with a majority of our clients being from the Indian community.

I would say, my practice of 15 years, as well as, my association with the Indian community, since day one has been very rewarding. We have gained recognition amongst the Indian as well as non – Indian community here in NZ. So that, I guess, is our biggest achievement, the fact that we are recognised here, within New Zealand, because of our good work.

Talking a little bit about your role as Chief Financial Controller of the Pullman Hotel?
I am the Group Financial Controller of the entire CP group; out of all the other properties, Pullman is one of the properties that our group holds.

It’s basically a leadership role within the accountancy line. My role at the group entails, finalising accounts, analysing these accounts, filing of tax returns for the group companies, to coordinate and liaise with external chartered accountants where ever it is required..

I have been associated with this group since the day I came to New Zealand.

Where do you see yourself within the next five years?
The C.P. group is growing, and expanding to more countries, and I see myself growing with the group; if the group grows then I grow. I think of myself as a team player.

In terms of your work, have you ever received any recognition from the Indian community in New Zealand?
I have never participated in any award ceremonies or any other event, as such, but I am known within the community organisations and various political circles. So, I have been able to garner recognition in that sense.

I have in the past been closely associated with Helen Clarke, Phil Goff, and now John Key for various organisations. My interaction with all of them, and other politicians, has always been on a more personal level, rather than professional.

Whatever, work that I have done in the past and will do the future; I haven’t done it with the expectation of only gaining recognition. But the fact that we have, is definitely satisfying.

Not only my business, but my close association with other groups and voluntary organisations within the community has helped me gain social recognition.

How about your family, are they very supportive of your busy schedules?
I am extremely proud of my family, especially my wife. She runs the house, the family and her own school. My work life is extremely demanding, requiring me to put in more than 12 hours a day, so the fact that my wife can take care of everything else, is very comforting.

My wife and my two grown up children; a daughter, who is studying at university and my son, he is in year 12 make my family life complete.

My wife is an Indian classical music teacher; we run a music school called Sangeetha Bharathi and my daughter, is also a trained singer.

Could you tell us a little more about Sangeetha Bharathi?
It is a Carnatic music school; my wife teaches about 40 to 50 students, ranging from 5 to 25 years. The school has now been running for the last 10 years, and I feel like this is our way of contributing to the Indian community in New Zealand.

Owing to our music school, we are closely associated with a number of musical and cultural shows by prominent over seas and local artists..

Finally, what would be your message for the Indian community here in New Zealand?
I believe that whatever we do, we have to do it to make our community proud. We have to stick to the right path and follow that.

People anyway hesitate in asking me to do something wrong; and even if they do, I wouldn’t. It affects the name of our community here, and I believe that doesn’t leave a good impression, at all.

The system, here in New Zealand, is very clean and I, personally, have never gone array. So, I think we should stick to the system and maintain the right approach.