Kazuko Iwai
Kazuko Iwai is a caretaker, cleaner, and popular tutor at the Canterbury WEA in Christchurch (Ōtautahi), New Zealand, teaching classes on Japanese culture, cooking, and crafts.
1
APPEARANCES
1
PODCASTS
Sep 17, 2026
Erica AustinHOST
But can you tell us more about like, how did you get involved with the CWA? You're not just a cleaner, you're not just a tutor, but what is your journey in that relationship?
Kazuko IwaiGUEST
So the beginning of I get a job at the CWEA was I was just the member of a music group and occasionally used the WEA as a rehearsal venue.
Kazuko IwaiGUEST
And then sometimes the lady in the office asked us, like, have you really come and then did the rehearsal? Because it looked like it's untouched.
Kazuko IwaiGUEST
And then I sort of offered that I could be your volunteer cleaner if you are looking for the cleaners, which was a long time ago.
11 MINS LATER
Erica AustinHOST
What has given you confidence to step into this adult education space, knowing that you've got lots of ideas and this is your core