These are the folks behind your favourite inner-city celebration.

CCAT Chief Executive

Kim Bailey

Kim (she/her) is excited to rejoin the Creative Capital Arts Trust as the Chief Executive. Kim has worked in Theatre Management throughout New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Kim currently produces for Primarily Dance and Kim Bailey Productions and since returning to New Zealand in 2020 has produced multiple productions. Kim was also a founding member of The Stage Door Community Theatre. Kim is an expert in harnessing the power of people to motivate, drive positive change and strategic direction, and inspires teams to exceed expectations while maintaining a happy, safe and supportive work environment.

Kim is excited to rejoin the Creative Capital Arts Trust as the Chief Executive. Kim has worked in Theatre Management throughout New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Previous roles have included Regional Site Manager (Stage School Australia), Venue Manager (Turner Centre, Kerikeri), Box Office Manager (Assembly Rooms- Edinburgh Fringe). Kim currently produces for Primarily Dance and Kim Bailey Productions and since returning to New Zealand in 2020 has produced Grooves! mini tour (2020), The Nutcracker (2020 & 2021), Grooves! South Island Tour (2021), Comedy of Errors (2021), Macbeth (2021 & 2022), Pointe Shoes and ShowBiz (2022), Melodrama (2022) and premiered Mens Rea at NZ Fringe 2023. Kim was also a founding member of The Stage Door Community Theatre. Kim is an expert in harnessing the power of people to motivate, drive positive change and strategic direction, and inspires teams to exceed expectations while maintaining a happy, safe and supportive work environment.
Kaupapa Māori Advisor

Toa Waaka

Toa (la) is a professionally trained actor, events & film producer over 30 years in the film, television and theatre industry. Toa is the founding member and vice-president of the SMART Trust (Society for Māori Astronomy Research & Traditions) who have members advising at national to local and central Government levels, including through the Matariki advisory panel. Toa also provides Māori Strategic Advice to organisations such as Te Taumata o Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu – Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency Governance board, Ministry for Environment, University of Otago ki Pōneke, Storybox, Wellington City Council and Wētā Workshop.

Toa is a professionally trained actor, events & film producer over 30 years in the film, television and theatre industry. Toa is the founding member and vice-president of the SMART Trust (Society for Māori Astronomy Research & Traditions) who have members advising at national to local and central Government levels, including through the Matariki advisory panel. Toa also provides Māori Strategic Advice to organisations such as Te Taumata o Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu – Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency Governance board, Ministry for Environment, University of Otago ki Pōneke, Storybox, Wellington City Council and Wētā Workshop. Toa is a well-known face to the silver screen, as either an actor, cultural advisor, producer and director with many of NZ’s iconic movies, documentaries and television like Shortland Street, Young Hercules, What Becomes of The Broken Hearted?, Crooked Earth, Good For Nothing, King Kong and It Takes A Village.
Operations Manager

Cathy Knowsley

Cathy ((s)he/herm) is an event professional with over 20 years’ experience managing production, operations, and logistics for events, with a passion for large outdoor events. Cathy’s primary focus is always to deliver events that are safe and healthy for workers, participants, and attendees. Cathy is a HASANZ registered health and safety professional, with a Diploma in Health and Safety Management and runs a consultancy business (HiViz Event Management) specialising in health and safety for the arts, entertainment, and events sectors. Cathy is currently studying for an MSc in Crowd Safety and Risk Analysis and sits on the Board of Directors for the Global Crowd Management Alliance (GCMA).

Cathy is an event professional with over 20 years’ experience managing production, operations, and logistics for events, with a passion for large outdoor events. Cathy’s primary focus is always to deliver events that are safe and healthy for workers, participants, and attendees. Cathy is a HASANZ registered health and safety professional, with a Diploma in Health and Safety Management and runs a consultancy business (HiViz Event Management) specialising in health and safety for the arts, entertainment, and events sectors. Cathy is currently studying for an MSc in Crowd Safety and Risk Analysis and sits on the Board of Directors for the Global Crowd Management Alliance (GCMA).
Marketing Coordinator

Huia Haupapa

Huia (she/her) joins the CCAT team as Marketing Coordinator after beginning her Wellington festival journey with New Zealand International Film Festival in 2023. Born and bred on the Pōneke art scenes, she has interests in music, film, theatre, and visual art. She grew up learning classical piano and studied Film and Sociology at Victoria University of Wellington Te Herenga Waka, earning a Bachelor of Arts. Most recently she’s been performing session keys and backing vocals for Eli Superflyy.

Huia (she/her) joins the CCAT team as Marketing Coordinator after beginning her Wellington festival journey with New Zealand International Film Festival in 2023. Born and bred on the Pōneke art scenes, she has interests in music, film, theatre, and visual art. She grew up learning classical piano and completed her performance grades with Trinity College in 2016. At Victoria University of Wellington Te Herenga Waka, she earned a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Film and minor in Sociology. Most recently she’s been performing on-stage keys and backing vocals for artist Eli Superflyy. Huia has found a passion in working with digital content coordination and communications that complement her admiration of the arts and working at Aotearoa festivals.
Vendor Coordinator

Sharon Powick

Sharon Powick specialises in community and corporate event management. It is her desire to support community-led events that highlight what makes our city so special. Sharon has a creative and artistic approach to life, drawing on her love for beauty, nature and colour - turning dreams into reality, to create unforgettable events.

Sharon Powick specialises in community and corporate event management. It is her desire to support community-led events that highlight what makes our city so special.

Sharon has a creative and artistic approach to life, drawing on her love for beauty, nature and colour - turning dreams into reality, to create unforgettable events.

Based in Wellington, Sharon has the creativity of her Nelson hometown still running in her veins. Growing up surrounded in nature, inventive family members and practical problem solvers, has inspired her to follow her own poetic path.
Sharon has over 18 years' experience in corporate event management and executive support roles, therefore ensuring you will be working with a highly motivated, strategic professional with energy and enthusiasm. Sharon is a skilled problem solver, solutions focussed, practical and organised – all key elements to achieving a successful event, cultivating fun and memories.

Nga Toi o Te Aro Programmer

Vanessa Stacey

Vanessa Stacey (she/her) is a Wellington-based Māori artist, producer, writer and director with over twenty years of experience in creative arts and education. She has worked extensively in the theatre, film, music, and television as an Actor, Singer, Producer and Director in New Zealand, Australia and the UK. Vanessa is the Director of the New Zealand Fringe Festival and will work alongside the CubaDupa team to programme the Nga Toi o Te Aro stage for 2024.

Vanessa Stacey is a Wellington-based Māori artist, producer, writer and director with over twenty years of experience in creative arts and education. She has worked extensively in the theatre, film, music, and television as an actor, singer, producer and director in New Zealand, Australia and the UK. She has previously been the coordinator and director of Whitireia's Screen Acting Course, Short Film Director of Film at National Youth Drama School for 8yrs, and guest tutor at UCOL, Whitireia and Massey. Vanessa has worked as an artist and tour manager with many well-known New Zealand bands, Vanessa produced stages for Home Grown, produced the TORA TORA TORA Festival, and has also performed at many festivals as a guest vocalist. She has also worked as an artist and festival publicist for festivals and events including NZ Fringe.
Volunteer Coordinator

Maria Williams

Maria Williams (she/her) is a performer, teacher and events professional based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. She is back at NZ Fringe after a 5-year hiatus, and thrilled to be back! She has also worked for NZ International Comedy Festival, Auckland Arts Festival, NZ Improv Festival, Verb festival and Festival for the Future amongst others. As a performer she does comedy, improv, theatre and writing. She has worked with Capital E, Barbarian, and Binge Culture amongst others. She is a NZ Fringe award and NZ International Comedy Festival award winner (and loser).

Maria Williams (she/her) is a performer, teacher and events professional based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. She is back at NZ Fringe after a 5-year hiatus, and thrilled to be back! She has also worked for NZ International Comedy Festival, Auckland Arts Festival, NZ Improv Festival, Verb festival and Festival for the Future amongst others. As a performer she does comedy, improv, theatre and writing. She has worked with Capital E, Barbarian, and Binge Culture amongst others. She is a NZ Fringe award and NZ International Comedy Festival award winner (and loser).
Festival Director

Drew James

Drew (he/him) has over 30 years of experience in performing arts management, tertiary arts education management, event management, and festival direction. He was Business Manager at Toi Whakaari : NZ Drama School, Dean of Faculty at Whitireia Polytechnic Drew produced and directed WOMAD Festivals in Auckland and Taranaki, directed pan-artform festivals, ERUPT Lake Taupo Festival and Taranaki International Arts Festival, and was the founding Executive Producer for PANNZ Tour-Makers, New Zealand’s Performing Arts Touring Agency. Drew is the originator and creative force behind CubaDupa since 2016, and went on to become CCAT Chief Executive from 2020 - 2023. Drew is also the Director of Classical on Cuba.

Drew has over 30 years of experience in performing arts management, tertiary arts education management, event management, and festival direction. He was Business Manager at Toi Whakaari : NZ Drama School, Dean of Faculty at Whitireia Polytechnic Drew produced and directed WOMAD Festivals in Auckland and Taranaki, directed pan-artform festivals, ERUPT Lake Taupo Festival and Taranaki International Arts Festival, and was the founding Executive Producer for PANNZ Tour-Makers, New Zealand’s Performing Arts Touring Agency. Drew was also the originator and creative force behind CubaDupa.
Festival Coordinator

Abby Lyons

Abby Lyons (she/her) is a performer, producer and creative based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. She completed her Bachelor of Arts with a double major in theatre and film from Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington in 2020. Abby has received high recognition for excellence in dramatic arts.
Her previous roles include Production Assistant at Wētā FX, Film Tutor at Victoria University of Wellington and was previously the Artist Liaison for Cubadupa 2023.
Outside of CCAT, Abby is a co-founder of Heartbreaker Productions, a production company that create works that show genuine connections between women and non-binary people that exist outside of the male gaze.
Abby is excited to push her logistical, administrative and producing skills with her new role as Festival Coordinator for Cubadupa 2024.

Abby Lyons is a performer, producer and creative based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. She completed her Bachelor of Arts with a double major in theatre and film from Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington in 2020. Abby has received high recognition for excellence in dramatic arts.
Her previous roles include Production Assistant at Wētā FX, Film Tutor at Victoria University of Wellington and was previously the Artist Liaison for Cubadupa 2023.
Outside of CCAT, Abby is a co-founder of Heartbreaker Productions, a production company that create works that show genuine connections between women and non-binary people that exist outside of the male gaze.
Abby is excited to push her logistical, administrative and producing skills with her new role as Festival Coordinator for Cubadupa 2024.
Logistics Manager

Danielle Burns

Danielle Burns (she/her) was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana and immigrated to New Zealand in 2013. She holds a Level 7 Honours Diploma in Art and Creativity and a Bachelor's degree in Marketing. As a visual artist as well as a strategic thinker she steps into the management of creative planning seamlessly. She is efficiency driven and organised, and her years of experience in event planning and management provide her with the knowledge to tackle complex issues, build relationships and create positive team experiences. Danielle is passionate about creativity and is keen to further the development of creative opportunities in Te Whanganui-a-Tara.

Danielle Burns (she/her) was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana and immigrated to New Zealand in 2013. She holds a Level 7 Honours Diploma in Art and Creativity and a Bachelor's degree in Marketing. As a visual artist as well as a strategic thinker she steps into the management of creative planning seamlessly. She is efficiency driven and organised, and her years of experience in event planning and management provide her with the knowledge to tackle complex issues, build relationships and create positive team experiences. Danielle is passionate about creativity and is keen to further the development of creative opportunities in Te Whanganui-a-Tara.
Content Producer / Designer

Milicent Ghosh

Milicent (they/them) is a Designer, 3D animator and musician based in Pōneke. They work as the Digital Producer for CCAT and have worked on music videos and freelance design for musicians whilst also working for the New Zealand International Film Festival over the winter. Milicent has returned to CCAT for their second year now and looks forward to pushing the boundaries of what this years festivals can look like. They are an avid participant of the creative scene here in Pōneke, playing bass in the band Maiden Name and doing art exhibitions, screenings and much more scattered around the city.

Milicent (they/them) is a Designer, 3D animator and musician based in Pōneke. They work as the Digital Producer for CCAT and have worked on music videos and freelance design for musicians whilst also working for the New Zealand International Film Festival over the winter. Milicent has returned to CCAT for their second year now and looks forward to pushing the boundaries of what this years festivals can look like. They are an avid participant of the creative scene here in Pōneke, playing bass in the band Maiden Name and doing art exhibitions, screenings and much more scattered around the city.
Festival Administrator

Catarina Gutierrez

Catarina Gutierrez (she/her) is a bicycle fanatic who lives in Wellington. She is an experienced freelance marketing / community manager with a keen eye on all things admin. She enjoys telling stories about incredible social enterprises in Aotearoa, having worked with and for many over the years since moving from the US over a decade ago. As a keen advocate of Wellington, she serves as Treasurer of Women in Urbanism Aotearoa and enjoys seeing people smile and laugh on the streets. Catarina likes her coffee slow while practicing her film photography and painting in her home studio.

Catarina Gutierrez (she/her) is a bicycle fanatic who lives in Wellington. She is an experienced freelance marketing / community manager with a keen eye on all things admin. She enjoys telling stories about incredible social enterprises in Aotearoa, having worked with and for many over the years since moving from the US over a decade ago. As a keen advocate of Wellington, she serves as Treasurer of Women in Urbanism Aotearoa and enjoys seeing people smile and laugh on the streets. Catarina likes her coffee slow while practicing her film photography and painting in her home studio.
Publicist

Cheree Ridder

Cheree (she/her) is a freelance publicity & marketing consultant, working mainly across the music, arts and events industries. She's worked extensively in promotions, publicity and marketing in both the Australian and New Zealand markets. After spending nearly a decade in Australia working in the record industry, she returned to New Zealand in 2013, determined to work closely and collaboratively with varied clients, ensuring each got the tailored and dedicated work they deserved from a Publicist or Marketing Consultant. Cheree works across all areas of media in New Zealand both on a national and regional scale and loves the close relationships this allows her to form with both clients and the industry.

Cheree is a freelance publicity & marketing consultant, working mainly across the music, arts and events industries. She's worked extensively in promotions, publicity and marketing in both the Australian and New Zealand markets. After spending nearly a decade in Australia working in the record industry, she returned to New Zealand in 2013, determined to work closely and collaboratively with varied clients, ensuring each got the tailored and dedicated work they deserved from a Publicist or Marketing Consultant. Cheree works across all areas of media in New Zealand both on a national and regional scale and loves the close relationships this allows her to form with both clients and the industry. Working with the wonderful team at the Creative Capital Arts Trust on their incredible events, is both an honour and a pleasure! Being given the chance to allow the public to find out about, experience, and enjoy such a huge range of arts and culture, much of which is free or incredibly affordable, is amazing and is something she is very passionate about.
CCAT Marketing Director

Emlou Lattimore

Emlou Lattimore (they/them) is a strategic communications and marketing specialist with a love for Te Whanganui-a-Tara and its incredible art and music scene. They began their career at the Ministry for Primary Industries in ministerial advisor roles, before moving to London and taking up an administration contract at the NZ High Commission. They moved into strategic communications for the UK government at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. After two years in this role, Emlou returned home and has since worked as a freelance academic editor, art writer, and recently for the New Zealand International Film Festival as their Wellington Communications Coordinator. Since 2022, they have worked as Marketing Manager, and now Marketing Director for CCAT.

Emlou Lattimore (they/them) is a strategic communications and marketing specialist with a love for Te Whanganui-a-Tara and its incredible art and music scene. They began their career at the Ministry for Primary Industries in ministerial advisor roles, before moving to London and taking up an administration contract at the NZ High Commission. They moved into strategic communications for the UK government at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. After two years in this role, Emlou returned home and has since worked as a freelance academic editor, art writer, and recently for the New Zealand International Film Festival as their Wellington Communications Coordinator. Since 2022, they have worked as Marketing Manager, and now Marketing Director for CCAT.
Production Manager

Barrie Hutton

Barrie (he/him) has spent the last 30 years creating spaces where performers can reach their full potential in a ‘live' environment. From a background as a professional musician in NZ & overseas, his experience & technical knowledge allows him to assist each artist, whatever their genre, to perform to the highest possible standard. By equally understanding the disciplines of Performance and Stage production, his goal is to seamlessly bring together the specific infrastructure & crew required to make a live show a success from both the artist & audience perspective.

Barrie has spent the last 30 years creating spaces where performers can reach their full potential in a ‘live' environment. From a background as a professional musician in NZ & overseas, his experience & technical knowledge allows him to assist each artist, whatever their genre, to perform to the highest possible standard. By equally understanding the disciplines of Performance and Stage production, his goal is to seamlessly bring together the specific infrastructure & crew required to make a live show a success from both the artist & audience perspective.
CCAT Music and Festival Producer

Bianca Bailey

Bianca (she/her) is a Te Whanganui-a-Tara based event producer, musician and songwriter who joined the CCAT team in 2020. These days she's our coordination queen specialising in programming and project management. When she's not in the office, she'll be off making rock music with Wiri Donna, F.A.I.R.Y and Lilith.

Bianca is a Te Whanganui-a-Tara based event producer, musician and songwriter who joined the CCAT team in 2020. Her primary role is in programming, scheduling, managing artist communications and payments. Previously she has also worked on Auckland Folk Festival (2016-2021) as well as Eyegum Music Collective’s Welcome To Nowhere (2020 - 2021) as co-curator and volunteer coordinator. Bianca also has an eye for all things project management, designing bespoke festival management platforms for CCAT and Eyegum Music Collective.
When she’s not working with the coolest festivals can catch her around Wellington either rocking the drums in local bands Lilith and F.A.I.R.Y or sporting a guitar for her dinky riff-rock solo project Wiri Donna
Designer

Jared McOnie

Returning for his second year as the designer for the Fringe and CubaDupa festivals, Jared (he/him) is a Te Whanganui-a-Tara-based freelance web and graphic designer. He has previously worked with local businesses like Seashore Cabaret, StoreStuff and Mana Pounamu Consulting, creating a wide range of deliverables such as logos, posters and merch design. Jared is very passionate about accessibility within design, but also likes to push the boundaries of common design practices, delving into the world of "anti-design" within his own creative projects.

Returning for his second year as the designer for the Fringe and CubaDupa festivals, Jared is a Te Whanganui-a-Tara-based freelance web and graphic designer. He has previously worked with local businesses like Seashore Cabaret, StoreStuff and Mana Pounamu Consulting, creating a wide range of deliverables such as logos, posters and merch design. Jared is very passionate about accessibility within design, but also likes to push the boundaries of common design practices, delving into the world of "anti-design" within his own creative projects.
Accessibility Coordinator

Sam Morgan

(He/him) Te-Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Rongowhakaata

Samuel Morgan is a disabled podcaster and musician with a passion for accessibility and disability rights. Sam studied a Bachelor of Commercial Music at Massey University. In 2019 he focused his honours research on how music technology education can be more accessible for blind and low vision individuals. Since then he has worked as a Digital Content Developer for Arts Access Aotearoa and an Access Advisor for Wellington Access Radio. Currently Sam is undertaking research with Massey University that has a focus on making music venues in Aotearoa more accessible.

Te-Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Rongowhakaata

Samuel Morgan is a disabled podcaster and musician with a passion for accessibility and disability rights. Sam studied a Bachelor of Commercial Music at Massey University. In 2019 he focused his honours research on how music technology education can be more accessible for blind and low vision individuals. Since then he has worked as a Digital Content Developer for Arts Access Aotearoa and an Access Advisor for Wellington Access Radio. Currently Sam is undertaking research with Massey University that has a focus on making music venues in Aotearoa more accessible.

Development and Fundraising Manager

James Wilson

James (he/him) has worked in fundraising for arts, culture and heritage organisations since arriving in Aotearoa in 2005 as General Manager for Massive Theatre Company, at Q Theatre, first as Programmes and Development Manager, and then as Chief Executive, and at Tauranga City Council, initially as Manager at Baycourt Community and Arts Centre, and then as Manager: Arts, Culture and Heritage. James also served on the executive board of the Performing Arts Network New Zealand (PANNZ), and co-chaired the organisation for four years. James currently serves on the executive board of EVANZ, the peak body for live entertainment venues in New Zealand.

Originally from Maidenhead in South East England, James trained as a theatre director at Rose Bruford Drama School in Greenwich, and worked for a variety of arts venues in London, including the Lyric Hammersmith, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, and The Orange Tree Theatre.
James has worked in fundraising for arts, culture and heritage organisations since arriving in Aotearoa in 2005. James worked as General Manager for Massive Theatre Company, working with emerging and established artists to create original New Zealand Theatre. James joined Q Theatre, just prior to the Auckland venue opening in 2011, first as Programmes and Development Manager, and then as Chief Executive. Whilst at Q Theatre, James led successful capital fundraising campaigns, launched new private giving programmes and worked on variety of commercial partnerships, including building Q's Principal Sponsorship, with Barfoot and Thompson. Q Theatre won the EVANZ (Entertainment Venues Association) award for 'best small venue' four times during James' tenure, and he was named 'Venue Executive of the year" by EVANZ in 2017.
James has worked in local government, at Tauranga City Council, initially as Manager at Baycourt Community and Arts Centre, and then as Manager: Arts, Culture and Heritage. Most recently, James established a new public art framework for Tauranga, which saw the creation of a new public art fund of up to $3m annually, based on 1% of Council's total capital expenditure programme going towards the commissioning and development of public art.
James served on the executive board of the Performing Arts Network New Zealand (PANNZ), and co-chaired the organisation for four years. James currently serves on the executive board of EVANZ, the peak body for live entertainment venues in New Zealand.

Creative Capital Arts Trust Board

 

Tim Brown

Nick Simcock

Nigel Moody

Miranda Clayton

Jaime Hayden