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.

Production Manager

Barrie Hutton

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.

Operations Manager

Cathy Knowsley

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 has completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Crowd Safety and Risk Analysis and sits on the Board of Directors for the Global Crowd Management Alliance (GCMA).

Festival Director

Bianca Bailey

Bianca brings a wealth of knowledge to the role, having been a part of the CubaDupa team since 2020, with a deep passion for the arts and the Cuba Street community. With her dynamic style and innovative approach, CubaDupa is confident that she will continue to elevate CubaDupa as a cornerstone of Wellington’s vibrant cultural arts landscape.

As we prepare for another exciting edition of the street festival, we are thrilled to welcome our first female director, Bianca Bailey, to lead our festival into its next chapter of vibrancy, community, and celebration.

Bianca brings a wealth of knowledge to the role, having been a part of the CubaDupa team since 2020, with a deep passion for the arts and the Cuba Street community. With her dynamic style and innovative approach, we are confident that she will continue to elevate CubaDupa as a cornerstone of Wellington’s vibrant cultural arts landscape.

Bianca has an extensive background in the arts and event management, having previously held key roles at Stroma, Performance Arcade, Eyegum Music Collective & Ignite Pōneke. We are particularly proud to note that she comes from within our own organisation, exemplifying our commitment to supporting and elevating practitioners who have worked with us before. Meanwhile, she also fosters her own music career with projects such as Wiri Donna, F.A.I.R.Y & Lilith. She has been instrumental in fostering community engagement, curating diverse artistic programs, and driving audience growth. Her dedication to inclusivity and sustainability aligns perfectly with the values of Creative Capital Arts Trust and CubaDupa.

Festival Coordinator

Luci McDougall

Luci Aracella McDougall, known professionally as Aracella Arts, is a non-binary (they/them) performer and arts manager/technician based in Whanganui-a-Tara, Aotearoa.

They began their creative journey by completing a Diploma in Performing Arts (Musical Theatre) in 2020, followed by a Bachelor of Creativity (Performing Arts – Musical Theatre) in 2021. Luci specialises in burlesque, cabaret, movement and creature creation. In 2022, they became Aotearoa’s first recognised Drag Monster through Anti-Pageant and later earned titles including 2023 Burlesque Noir Second Runner-Up and 2023 Wellington Drag Performer of the Year.

To expand their theatre practice, Luci completed a degree in Performing Arts Management at Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School in 2025. During this time, they developed a passion and skill set in lighting design and operation, Producing, Marketing, and Production Management.

Their work in 2026 consists of Production managing Matariki Ahi Kā for Wellington City Council, follow spotting for WOW (World of WearableArt) as well as Directing Costume Showcase 2026 and Producing several of the Master shows at Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School.

Artist Liaison

Will Hanlon

Will Hanlon (he/him) is a musician, composer and creative passionate about nurturing creative spaces in Te Whanganui-a-Tara and Aotearoa. He is delighted to be on the team as Artist Liaison, and is excited to help harness our community’s artistic and creative magic to deliver another iconic CubaDupa!

Cuba Quarter Liaison

Wiki Waitai

Wiki's career spans 20+ years of experience in hospitality, retail, vendor management, and community connection to support one of Aotearoa's most iconic events. Including Cuba Street venues like The Matterhorn, Indigo, Fidel's and Scopa, to running her own creative businesses, WIKI Skincare, WIKI Adornments and WIKI Goods Co. Wiki thrives in fast-paced environments and brings a calm, solutions-focused approach.

CCAT - Marketing Director

Catarina Gutierrez

Catarina Gutierrez (she/her) is a silly goose who lives in Wellington. She is a multi-award winning photographer and experienced freelance marketing / community manager with an obsession for books and films. She enjoys a good board game and puzzle when not out at the cinema or the library. As a keen advocate of Wellington, she loves working in the creative sector and enjoys seeing people smile and laugh on the streets on Pōneke. Catarina also likes her coffee slow while practicing her film photography and painting in her home studio.

Ngā Toi Māori Coordinator

Maia Boyd

He uri tēnei nō Tūhoe me Te Arawa
Nō Whakatāne āhau
Ko Maia Moana tōku ingoa

Growing up in Whakatāne I spent my childhood surrounded by whānau and almost every summer day at my awa Ōhinemataroa, Waimana and in the moana. From a young age Te Taiao and whānau have been both a source of grounding and inspiration for me. Since moving to Pōneke 5 years ago I found myself drawn to the events, music and arts space. Through my mahi with some amazing people I discovered a passion for creating safe spaces for indigneous people to express themselves through art. My goal in life is to hold space for Maori, Pasfika and other indigenous peoples to tell their stories in ways that are authentic to them. I love any excuse to celebrate and love to meet new people so if you see me out and about don't be shy and come say Hi!!

CubaDupa Publicist

Cheree Ridder

Freelance publicity & marketing consultant, working mainly across the music, arts and events industries. After working extensively in promotions, publicity and marketing in both the Australian and New Zealand markets, its such an honour to work with so many independent arts practitioners and organisations back in NZ.

After spending nearly a decade in Australia working in the record industry, I returned to New Zealand in 2013 determined to work closely and collaboratively with my varied clients, ensuring each got the tailored and dedicated work they deserved from a publicist or marketing consultant. I work across all areas of media in New Zealand both on a national and regional scale and love the close relationships this allows me to form with both my 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 Joy, through such a huge range of arts and culture, much of which is free or incredibly affordable, is amazing and is something I’m very passionate about.

Designer

Oscar Alty

Kia Ora, I am Oscar Alty, a graphic designer, musician & all around creative based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara.