Critic Te Ārohi and Dave from The Maharajas: we’ve got a loving history. A match made in heaven, one might say. On Saturday the 9th of May, Dave and the Maharajas team will be hosting the ultimate charity night – good vibes, good flavours, good people. So we’ve taken the opportunity to sit down and have a yap about Dunedin’s favourite BYO restaurant with the man of the evening.
With all profits split between the New Zealand Cancer Society and the Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust, The Maharajas is going to be the place to pre this weekend. Start your night off right, put those Studylink payments towards a good cause, and have a mean feed while you’re at it. You’ll also be helping the Maharajas celebrate their 8th year of feeding students – it’s the perfect birthday gift. Gotta line your stomach before your Saturday night antics kick off.
Three years ago, Dave created the annual charity event as an opportunity to give back to the community, while celebrating the restaurant’s annual anniversary. Since then, the Maharajas has successfully donated over $3000 worth of curry-infused love to those in need. After all, there’s nothing a good butter chicken can’t fix — especially in the hands of Dave.
When asked what inspired the charity night, Dave spoke of the numerous challenges he has experienced in running the business, and the impact of these challenges in fostering his love for those on the other side of the till: “One thing that never let me down was the Dunedin community — especially the students. This is our way of saying thank you to the community that supported us.”
From the infamous spicy food challenge (which had some of Ōtepoti’s toughest breathas quaking in their boots), to Dave’s creative solutions to the perils of a rowdy student BYO (confiscating the ID’s of guests on entry to the bathrooms, in order to prevent toilet paper shenanigans), to the letters sent from past customers expressing gratitude over Dave’s simple yet profound acts of kindness, this man’s got some serious stories to share. Stories that inspired the beginning of the charity night, and continue to foster the welcoming environment found behind the doors of the restaurant to this day.
Dave was eager to express his love for the students of Dunedin, stating “I can’t thank the student community enough for the support and kindness they have shown over the years.”
2026 also marks an important development in the event, with the addition of the Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust as a joint recipient of the nights profits. Dave explained to Critic that he made this decision after talking to a student that was going through a tough time mentally — “It reminded me that many of us face these struggles at some point”.
We’ve all been there, but Dave and The Maharajas are putting in the mahi to support positive change — the sort of change that will impact us all. The pot of gold at the end of the BYO rainbow, one might say. In the words of Dave: “No matter how hard things may seem, try to find a positive outlook. Keep doing what you love, learn to smile more, and trust the process. In time you will grow into the best version of yourself and become a happier person.” That’s some philosophical shit right there.
With an aim to top last year's contribution of $1800 and hit a total of $2000, Dave and The Maharaja’s need the support of the student community this Saturday. Dave added that “Today, when I look at Maharajas, I see more than just a restaurant. I see a place where people come together, share food, laugh, and create lasting memories.”
So get out there and give back. Be that basic bitch and buy a mild butter chicken and a garlic naan, but do it for good this time. Do it for Dave.
