American football fans learn ‘How to Wellington’ with comedian Karen O’Leary

Three American football fans have returned home as devoted fans of the capital, after winning a special trip with WellingtonNZ, during which they learned about the city’s culture and lifestyle from local comedian Karen O’Leary.

Daeja Jackson, a Los Angeles resident and football enthusiast, along with two friends, were the winners of the ‘Are You Ready To Wellington?’ competition organised by WellingtonNZ.

The competition called upon US fans to team up with two friends, craft their most creative football chant, and capture it on video. The winning chant earned them an all-expenses-paid journey to Wellington as well as the chance to witness the clash between the US and the Netherlands – a pivotal match in the world’s largest women’s sporting spectacle.

Wellington Paranormal and What We Do in The Shadows star O’Leary – a lifelong football enthusiast who shot to fame working alongside Taika Waititi and Flight of the Conchords – hosted Daeja and her squad as Coach Karen, “training them to be real Wellingtonians” and finding plenty of adventure along the way, with WellingtonNZ’s camera crew in tow.

The group experienced the best of what Wellington has to offer, including finding the quintessential flat white, learning to walk in the wind, meeting a dwarf at the Wētā Cave, and a cameo appearance by Wellington Paranormal’s Officer O’Leary herself. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins even recorded them a personal video message. Special excursions to Rongomaraeroa Te Marae at Te Papa, and being invited as special guests to a kapa haka performance at Newtown Primary School added to the experience and helped share the importance of Wellington’s cultural identity.

Jackson, who said her knowledge of New Zealand before the trip was limited to the Lord of the Rings films, and singer Lorde, was blown away by her time in Wellington. “It’s amazing, I want to live here,” she says.

Comedian O’ Leary, who turned up to pick the trio up from Wellington airport in her own old-school blue and pink ute, says she had a blast “training” the group.

“They loved it here and have gone back home with a piece of Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington in their hearts,” she says. “You could say they’ve taken Wellywood back to Hollywood”.

Todd Barberel, WellingtonNZ General Manager Destination, Marketing and Communications, says the eyes of the world, and North America especially, have been firmly on New Zealand, and on Wellington in particular. 

“We’ve made the most of this once-in-a-lifetime moment to help drive awareness of our city and region as a destination for the USA market and beyond, showing would-be visitors just what experiences and character await them here With this content series, and the diverse range of placemaking activity across the city over these past few weeks, we’re beyond proud of how Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington has stepped up to celebrate wāhine, our city and communities during this unprecedented time,” he says.

Featuring their wonderfully game American visitors, WellingtonNZ has launched “Coach Karen’s” five ‘Are You Ready To Wellington?’ episodes here.

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