Welcome to the very first episode of The Back Story. To kick start this series we are delighted to share this special episode from a really special person – Lee Williams. You don’t meet people like Lee everyday. She has a warmth and an enthusiasm that lights up the room, and underneath that is a fierce determination to do well in whatever she’s doing.

 Lee Williams has such an incredible belief in people,  and hearing her talk about her journey and her values is a privilege. 

Lee has been sewing and designing costumes for the likes of Weta, The Royal NZ Ballet, World of Wearable Art and so much more for more than 20 years. She’s now back home in Whanganui as the founder of Paetuia, where she’s teaching all those amazing skills to locals from a central workshop. 

She talks a lot about family and community, and the draw of home. Lee’s respect for all people means she gets it back in spades, including from the local business community too. She paints an amazing picture of what makes Whanganui such a special place with an incredible insight and understanding that we can all benefit from. 

Paetuia Studio: https://www.facebook.com/paetuiastudio/