Mark Long (Events) - Hi I’m currently living in sunny Tokyo and running Look Media, a specialized outdoor advertising company. I’m very excited about Kea and all the potential it possesses. You tell me what type of events you want, and I will give 110% to try and get them organized for you.  It’s my hope Kea events will let you meet like minded people face to face, create unique and exciting opportunities, and hopefully not only enhance your social life, but help your business prosper as well. There’s such an interesting and diverse range of Kiwi backgrounds in Japan. We have a great chance here to learn from each other and lend a helping hand. There’s a lot of exciting events lined up for this year, watch this space!

Catherine O’Connell (Legal) - I'm originally from Christchurch and landed in Japan at the end of 2003. I'm currently in my 8th year here and have worked both in Osaka and in Tokyo for various Japanese companies as Senior In House Counsel. Currently I am a Senior Associate in an international law firm based in Kasumigaseki. It is a pleasure to be involved in Kea Japan. I hope to use my strengths and networks from other organisations I have been involved in for the last 15-20 years, such as the Christchurch-Kurashiki Sister City Committee, NZ-Japan Society of Canterbury, and Festival of Japan back in NZ, as well as Tokyo groups I am involved with such as the JANZ, JANZ Ladies and ANZCCJ. Tokyo already has a good history of Kiwis networking and socialising through the Kiwi Contacts group, however my vision for Kea Japan is that it will formalise those links and reach out to Kiwis all over Japan, not just in Tokyo. I also hope that membership can be boosted by enticing our Japanese friends to join who have a love of all things New Zealand. I am currently based in London for work until Autumn, and have hooked up with Kea UK and the NZ-UK Society so I will bring back to Kea Japan my experiences with those groups as well. I look forward to meeting Kea Japan members at events in the coming months!

Sommer Wagstaff (Membership) - Pleasure to meet you and thank you for checking out Kea Japan. I'm into my twelfth year in Tokyo and the city still never ceases to amaze me with the opportunities that are here and the vast areas of business that can be integrated. I hold a post-graduate diploma in Japanese linguistics & Advanced Strategic Management from Massey University and am a graduate from Canterbury University. My current position is the Director of Corporate Strategy for Digital Medical Communications Corp, in Kamiyacho.  Having been based here for over a decade and seeing the changes that have been brought to Tokyo in particular, I believe that the people that you meet play a vital role in your future and networking with similar minded people is what leads to success. Now that Kea has established itself here in Japan, it will make it that much more easier to form a community that relates to what Kiwi's really want, whether it is business related, community related or just keeping in touch with other Kiwi's. Look forward to meeting you at future events!

Jason Allen (Public Relations) - Hi. I’ve spent the last ten years on and off in Japan and the majority of that time based down in Osaka where I worked in local government. For the past two years I have been based in Tokyo where I spent some time interpreting for a professional rugby team. I am now involved in player management with a boutique PR company called Brighten Inc. and run a small trading company called Enzen Trading with some Japanese business partners. I love the opportunity my work affords me to follow my passions in sport and business.  I’ve followed Kea growing up back home and abroad and am really excited to be involved in its establishment here in Japan. In a country where the personal connection in business is ever so paramount I think Kea can play a valuable role in connecting good, likeminded people in the local market, and with Kea partners abroad, all things that can ultimately benefit New Zealand.

Matt Downer (Secretary) - I am originally from the North Shore of Auckland but have been based in Japan for the last three years. I am currently working for Japan Inc Holdings in Tokyo. My major role involves managing the State of Ohio's Japan economic development office. I hold a bachelor's degree in Japanese obtained at Auckland University and a Master's degree in Management, obtained from Massey University. My past roles have included working for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise at the Aichi World Trade Expo, and also working for Unique New Zealand Education Services managing international student exchange programs mainly with Japanese schools. I am a passionate Kiwi abroad and looking forward to representing Kea in Japan.

Kuni Hosoi (Treasurer) - I lived in Christchurch from the early 1990’s thru to 2002. During that time I worked as a Japanese speaking tour guide for Pacific Tourways and played club soccer at Halswell with a fellow committee member, Jason Allen. I studied at Canterbury University majoring in Accountancy and am currently working for Innovasia K.K., an upholstery fabric importer and acoustic wall installer, as their finance and accounting director. I am passionate about the outdoors, love to ski, play soccer and participate in endurance racing. I am pleased to be involved in Kea Japan and am looking forward to helping secure its future success and to promote the Kea brand in Japan.