Minkyung is the Marketing Coordinator at Seaview Workshop, Trustee and Secretary of the Taranaki K-Culture Community, Executive Member and Secretary of the Korean Association of Taranaki, and Executive Member and Co-Secretary of the Taranaki Multi Ethnic Council.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology Counselling, Social Work, and Korean Language Education, along with a Certificate of Korean Language Teacher. Through her work, Minkyung is deeply committed to supporting Korean migrants, preserving culture and language, and creating a stronger sense of belonging in the community.

She is also the host of “Kowi Corner” on Art FM, where she shares stories, culture, and connection through community radio.

In this 1 hour show you'll meet some of the beautiful people who make up Taranaki's vibrant international community.

Today on our podcast, we are joined by Lukas, a young inspiring voice from Francis Douglas Memorial College and the winner of the Race Unity Speech Competition.

Born into a multicultural family with roots in South Africa and Austria, Lukas shares his experience of growing up between cultures, how he connects with his heritage, and what identity, belonging, and diversity mean to him as a young person in New Zealand.

In this conversation, we explore culture, family traditions, community, and the importance of creating understanding between people from different backgrounds. Lukas also reflects on his journey through the Race Unity Speech Competition and the impact these conversations can have on young people and the wider community.

Join us for an inspiring and thoughtful conversation celebrating culture, connection, and unity.

In this episode, Maria and Brian had a chat with Vivek from Malaysia. Vivek shared story about following his hospitality career from Malayasia, Hong Kong and around New Zealand before finding his way to the Millennium Hotel New Plymouth Waterfront as the general manager. Vivek gave insight into the hospitality industry, his hobbies and what it's like to travel and raise a family in New Plymouth.

In this episode, Alina and Clara dive into her recent trip to Fiji — exploring not just the destination, but the deeper experience of travel. We talk about Fijian culture, the rhythm of island life, and what “happiness” really looks like when things slow down.

From reflections on women, wellbeing, and connection, to the small everyday moments that make travel meaningful, this conversation goes beyond a typical travel story — it’s about perspective, presence, and what we bring back with us.

Amy is originally from Shanghai, China. She came to NZ in 2003 to study, and did a computer graphics design degree at WITT. She is passionate about Zumba, art, photo / video editing and roller skating. She has 2 boys and is married with a kiwi. Amy enjoys work life balance in New Zealand, the friendly people and the beautiful landscape.

In this episode, Alina, Clara and Brian had a chat with the amazing and unique Angelique, from South Africa. She grew up in a coastal town outside of Durban and moved to New Zealand about 10 years ago. Since she moved to New Zealand she's lived in Wellington, Hamner Springs and settled in New Plymouth about five years ago. She talked about her past jobs in hospitality, event management and her current business she started a year ago as a personal trainer.

In this episode, Alina, Clara and Brian had a chat with the amazing and unique Angeliqe, from South Africa. She grew up in a coastal town outside of Durban and moved to New Zealand about 10 years ago. Since she moved to New Zealand she's lived in Wellington, Hamner Springs and settled in New Plymouth about five years ago. She talked about her past jobs in hospitality, event management and her current business she started a year ago as a personal trainer.

Today we are joined by Bianca — born in Milan to an Italian and Syrian family, and shaped by a multicultural upbringing that sparked her curiosity about the world early on.

After studying journalism and working in digital marketing in Amsterdam, Bianca felt the pull to slow down and realign her life. That led her on a journey through India, Nepal, and Morocco — where yoga, meditation, and living closer to nature became central to her path.

Now based in New Zealand, she’s rebuilding her life with intention — teaching yoga, creating community, and launching The Kindness Supper Club, a space for mindful connection, plant-based food, and meaningful conversations.

Bianca’s story is all about listening inward, embracing change, and creating a life rooted in purpose.

Kirsten Lunde is a wife, mother and grandmother who grew up and lived most of her life in the San Francisco Bay Area in the US. Her eclectic career there included theatre, hospitality, public service and retail before she started working from home to care for her younger two children, who have needed extra care including several years of homeschooling. After a short stint in Colorado, Kirsten's husband Glenn, a native Kiwi born in Dunedin, had an opportunity to house-sit for family in New Plymouth as a means of establishing a life in New Zealand. So Kirsten, Glenn, and their two younger children arrived in Taranaki in February of 2020, just in time for the world to shut down for COVID. With such an unusual start to life here, Kirsten turned to work from home which includes transcription, AI training, and especially her small board game publishing business through which she successfully crowdfunded and published her classical music-themed board game Ovation with more games on the way. Her community in New Zealand is largely centered on board games, and she runs a monthly game event lovally featuring the social deduction game, Blood on the Clocktower.