Cultural festivals and picnics in the gardens
Mayu Suzuki is director of maririNZ, a family-owned e-commerce business she helped set up during her time as an exchange student at Kāpiti College, and is chairperson of the Japan Festival Trust Wellington. She describes herself as being a bridge between her birth country and her adopted one, sharing Kiwi kindness with Japan and vice versa.
Ilivein...
Welly’s northern suburbs, in Woodridge. I love it there.
Sell it to us ...
We have a view of petiteQueenstown from our window. Shhhh, it's a secret location I don't want more people to know.
Getting to work ...
is easy because I mainly work from home, but when I go into the city it’s usually with my partner in our EV after dropping our baby at a daycare.
Your go-to for a mid-morning coffee/tea?
Raglan Coffee on Willis St – reasonably priced and delicious – or bubble tea from Gong Cha if I'm feeling fancy.
Best place to get away from it all?
Going for a bush walk. There are so many of them in Wellington. My fave is Gilberd Reserve in Newlands, which has some spots that overlook the city and harbour. It connects to Te Pari Karangaranga, which is equally as stunning.
For a picnic – what would you take?
I’d probably have it in our garden if the wind isn't too bad, which only happens three times a year. Otherwise, the Botanic Garden behind the cafe. Cheese; all sorts from blue, to goat to raw. Yum.
Wellington could do with ...
Better public transport. Seriously, we need to work on these guys.
Ideal start to a Sunday?
Ideally coffee in bed. Realistically? Super-hyped 17-month-old child jumping up and down on the bed.
Where will we find you this weekend?
If I’m not working, with my whānau and friends. We love BYO kai and having quality kōrero, often at our/ their house. Watching kids running around the garden, and soaking up the sun, is my peaceful and heartwarming weekend activity
Your last meal out?
Was at Highwater in Cuba St for my dad's birthday. Their lunch course is the bomb!
If you were mayor for a week ...
I would organise a week-long mixedculture festival in Wellington.
Something most people wouldn't know about you ...
Not much actually. I'm quite an open book (I think).
Your Japan Festival pick?
We have so many talented people in Wellington who are doing all things Japan and I want to highlight our locals as well as giving everyone an opportunity to immerse themselves in my culture. Everyone is welcome to participate in our festival as we aim for the true koryū, an intersection of all cultures.
– As told to Julie
Jacobson