TĀMAKI MAKAURAU AUCKLAND 2024
OUR VALUES

Turangawaewae
A sense of place and belonging

Manamotuhake
Self-determination

Hauora
Enhancing wellness
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Manaakitanga
Supported approach
The Pacific Rainbow Games Trust is a non-profit charitable trust. The Trust will foster a community that encourages participation, understanding and acceptance of people of diverse sexualities and gender identities. Established to oversee the delivery and legacy outcomes of the 2024 games held in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. At the completion of the 2024 Games, the Trust will continue to govern while working with Rainbow communities to provide policy and direction to the management of a potential long-term home-grown event.
Our mission is to create inclusive and empowering sports and recreation events that foster active participation, promote Turangawaewae, Manamotuhake, Hauora and Manaakitanga and to celebrate the diverse rainbow communities in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific.
Our vision is to create a future where rainbow communities are empowered and fully included in sports and recreation. By participating in the Rainbow Games events, we envision a society that embraces and supports the diverse identities and expressions of our communities, where all individuals feel safe, accepted, and valued. We strive to build vibrant and inclusive events that promotes diversity, equity, and wellbeing, and contributes to a stronger, healthier, and more inclusive future.
A sense of place and belonging
Self-determination
Enhancing wellness
Supported approach
Honey is one of New Zealand’s most talented cross-code female athletes, representing her nation in Rugby Union, Rugby League and Rugby 7s, over the course of 18 years. She was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to the game in 2020. Since retiring in 2020, she continues to advocate for sport through various ambassador roles, while working as a Disability Sport Advisor for the Halberg foundation and commentating for Sky Sport. Family is very important to Honey. Alongside her wife, they have three teenage sons and one granddaughter.
Campbell made history when he became the first All Black to publicly come out as gay. His career includes representing the All Black in three Tests in 2005 and winning 3 super titles with The Crusaders. In 2008, he took his skills overseas and played in France, Wales, Russia and Romania, before returning home. Campbell is passionate about helping others in sport to achieve their goals, with the underlying message that your goals are not determined by your sexuality, race or religion.
Kate was 17 she first came out as transgender and has been navigating her way in the sporting world ever since. In 2018, she became the Aotearoa Downhill Mountain Biking national champion after years of racing in the men’s field while undergoing a medical transition without public knowledge. The subsequent media attention empowered Kate to focus on being open and honest about her identity with the aim towards creating a sporting world that is more inclusive, diverse and not limited to one kind of person.
Hugo was the Leader of LGBTQI+ group at Westlake Boys Highschool and initiated the school’s attendance to the Lil’ Gay Out 2022, where Hugo took the courageous step to publicly come out. He has been a member of New Zealand’s national Under-19 badminton squad since 2020, finishing runner up in the 2022 Junior National Championships and ranked in the Top 10 for singles and doubles. This year, he started studying Biomedical Science at UOA and is excited to spread awareness for these all-important Games.
Jaiyah Tauasuesimeamativa Saelua is a footballer who plays as a center back for the American Samoa national team. Saelua is a fa’afafine, a third gender present in Polynesian society, and is the first openly non-binary and trans woman to compete in a FIFA World Cup qualifier. She has competed in the Pacific Games, FIFA World Cup qualifiers and is a FIFA ambassador for equality and LGBTQI+ athletes.
Tom has over 10 years’ experience in the sports sector, working across the public, private and non-for-profit sector, most recently with a Continental Confederation, across a series of events, communications and marketing roles.Tom has years of competitive badminton experience under his belt and is an avid fan of several other sports, including Tennis, Padel, Running, Kayaking and Hiking. He is a member of the Auckland Feathers badminton team. Additionally, he has completed an Undergraduate degree in Sports and Social Science and is currently undertaking a Postgraduate Certificate in International Sports Management.
Teresa has worked for over 20 years in both the government and NGO sectors on policies, procedures and regional/national projects. She has extensive experience working in governance, providing secretariat services to trust boards and community committees.Teresa sits on the Board of the Charlotte (Lesbian) Museum and is a panel member of the Auckland Council Rainbow Communities Advisory Panel. Teresa has completed a Master of Arts in Women’s Studies and Master in Public Management from Victoria University.She is currently undertaking a Master in Counselling at University of Auckland. She and her wife volunteer on the Dominion Road School Parents Group and foster children through Key Assets and puppies through Auckland Puppy Rescue. In there somewhere she looks after her two children.
Nikki is an experienced multiday event professional with a proven track record of successful sports and touring events internationally and domestically. She has worked with some of the top names in sport including Special Olympics, New Zealand Cricket and Bowls New Zealand.
Nikki loves the ocean and when not bossing her two cats, two dogs, two kids and partner around, can be found fishing, kayaking and paddleboarding in the beautiful Coromandel where she lives.
Miriam comes to the Rainbow Games from a background in Commercial Law. With experience in volunteering in both sport and rainbow spaces Miriam recently decided to follow her passion of sport as an avenue for diversity and inclusion into a career path.
Miriam spends a lot of her spare time involved in rugby where she referees, is developing governance skills and volunteers on gamedays. She also values spending time with friends and family.
Stephanie has over 6 years of Marketing and Communicationexperience, including working for a few well-known non-profits. Her decision tojoin Rainbow Games comes from her personal experience in the Rainbow communityas well as her passion for non-profit work.
Stephanie used to play semi-professional football in Englandand has a passion for Basketball and Badminton, as well as E-Sports.
In her spare time, Stephanie can be found writing inclusivechildren’s books, queer novels, and shooting hoops at her local basketballcourt.
Teresa has worked for over 20 years in both the government and NGO sectors on policies, procedures and regional/national projects. She has extensive experience working in governance, providing secretariat services to trust boards and community committees.Teresa sits on the Board of the Charlotte (Lesbian) Museum and is a panel member of the Auckland Council Rainbow Communities Advisory Panel. Teresa has completed a Master of Arts in Women’s Studies and Master in Public Management from Victoria University.She is currently undertaking a Master in Counselling at University of Auckland. She and her wife volunteer on the Dominion Road School Parents Group and foster children through Key Assets and puppies through Auckland Puppy Rescue. In there somewhere she looks after her two children.
Brad has fifteen year’s experience working in the public sector, the last ten years in advisory and management roles. Communication and relationship management is a key focus for Brad who champions engagement and promoting opportunities for individuals in the community.For the past three years, Brad has led the NZ Falcons Rugby Club (gay and inclusive rugby) building a strong platform for individuals to participate in rugby. The NZ Falcons has grown it’s brand with a strong kaupapa that is recognised in the community as inclusive and inviting. Brad also co-hosts a Podcast (OutTheGayte) that targets issues and korero for the Rainbow community. The Podcast is a platform to celebrate all that is rainbow with a light hearted approach.
Tux has over ten years working within various parts of the Rainbow Community. He is Takatāpui with developing portfolio of design, advisory and stakeholder engagement appointments. Tux captures and celebrates Auckland’s Rainbow community with NZ’s longest running LGBTQI+ publication Express Magazine. Tux serves the board as part of the organising committee for Hui Takatāpui 2022 as well as recently completing a term on the Auckland Council Rainbow Communities Advisory Panel.Tux is passionate about promoting the voice of rainbow people, increasing rainbow visibility & inclusion in sport and recreation for better health outcomes community wide.
Sam has a background in corporate litigation and worked as a solicitor for fifteen years before commencing work as a senior transport advisor in 2022. He has extensive experience working in strategy governance, having been a member of various committees over the years, including the Falcons rugby team and was a founding committee member of Auckland Rainbow Law.
David is the Head of Strategy and Planning at Auckland Council and has worked for 20 years as a senior manager in central and local government.David has extensive experience in strategy, governance, performance and policy development. He is the lead officer of the Auckland Council Rainbow Communities Advisory Panel and a Chartered Company Secretary.David has a Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Master of Arts in Politics all from Victoria University of Wellington. He is currently studying for an LLB at the University of Auckland.
Richard is a registered veterinary nurse and a panelist with Vetpartners Diversity and Inclusion Council. Richard has a Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing and Certificate in Science and Technology.Since 2020 Richard has been the Regional membership representative for the Pacific region with the Federation of Gay Games, working with organisations who want to join the federation.Richard plays rugby for the New Zealand Falcons and is on the committee.
With over ten years in the advertising and marketing industry, Angus brings a wealth of expertise to the table. Based in vibrant Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, which he considers a true safe space to be authentic and true to oneself, he embraces individuality and celebrates freedom of expression, which will support the mission of the Rainbow Games. With a passion for fashion, makeup, and food, Angus adds a vibrant and creative perspective to his work. His keen eye for aesthetics and deep understanding of marketing strategies have proven instrumental in the success of numerous campaigns for renowned brands. As a board member, Angus will leverage his expertise and connections to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where participants can authentically express themselves and celebrate their identities during the Rainbow Games. With his genuine connection to the community and marketing acumen, Angus is excited to enhance the overall experience of the event.