Naoko Miyauchi

My name is Naoko Miyauchi. Since moving to New Zealand in 2004, I have passionately dedicated myself to Japanese heritage language education. In 2006, I established the Japanese Children's Library to provide children and their families with opportunities to experience the Japanese language and culture. Later, in 2013, I founded the Japanese Heritage Center, alongside the Japanese Children's Library and JKET, which has been recognised as an educational charity. I currently serve as the representative and Japanese language instructor for this organisation, working to promote the preservation of the Japanese language and facilitate cultural exchange within our community.

Furthermore, over the past several years, I have actively organised and led weekly volunteer Japanese storytelling sessions at both the OREWA Library and the TAKAPUNA Library. These events create a warm environment where children and their guardians can appreciate the beauty of the Japanese language. Additionally, I serve as a facilitator for the Healthy Babies Healthy Futures health education programme, as a Japanese language facilitator for the New Zealand Ministry of Education-recommended parenting course, The Incredible Years, and as a helpline operator for Asian Family Services, engaging in a wide range of educational and support activities.

Through my experiences, I have contributed to the advancement of Japanese heritage language education in New Zealand and have supported children and families who are proud to maintain their cultural roots in a multicultural society. I remain committed to fostering community-based initiatives that create nurturing environments where future generations and their families can grow and thrive.