In 2014 I joined the organising committee of the (then) biennial Wellington Japan Festival.  In this role, I worked with the Wellington City Council, The Embassy of Japan in New Zealand, and the Wellington Sakai Association. In 2014 I ran a booth for Victoria University of Wellington’s Japanese programme with a kimono dressing experience.

In 2016 I took on a more central role as event MC (in English and Japanese). I also worked with Overload NZ Anime & Manga Convention to create and host the festival’s first cosplay competition.

Wellington Japan Festival was first held by Wellington City Council in 2009 as part of celebrations with sister city Sakai.

Overload + Wellington Japan Festival Cosplay Competition was sponsored by Overload NZ, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington City Council, Graphic Novel Café, Worbla New Zealand, Arda Wigs, and Madman New Zealand.