Reporter Charlotte Graham-McLay took audiences to a corner of New Zealand rarely seen in international news coverage, capturing the creativity and community spirit of a quirky steampunk festival that transforms a small rural town into a celebration of Victorian aesthetics and science fiction.
Through careful preparation and strong source-building, she gained the trust of festival participants, many of whom were wary of how their subculture might be portrayed. The resulting coverage explained the appeal of steampunk while conveying the joy and enthusiasm of those who embrace it.
Graham-McLay handled every aspect of the reporting herself, producing a richly detailed story, a photo gallery and video that brought the festival’s elaborate costumes, performances and atmosphere to life.
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