Our Community
Executive
Sam French
Chair
he/him/his
Originally from rural Wairarapa, Sam is now a proud Wellingtonian. A self-confessed organiser, he got involved with boards and committees while playing hockey for the University of Otago.
He is a lawyer, working across Wellington and the Hutt, specialising property, commercial and trust matters. He most enjoys as helping people buy houses and set up charities.
Sam has a passion for sport and inclusion sitting on and supporting various Boards over the past 10 years. Currently, he serves as Chair of Nuku Ora – An Active Welington Region and Deputy Chair of the Wellington Region Hockey Stadium Trust.
Email: sam@rainbowwellington.org.nz
Phone: 027 327 4669
Bailey Welsh
Treasurer
he/him/his
When Bailey isn’t working as a Project & Change Coordinator in Government, he’s performing as one of Wellington’s most beautiful drag artists – Olivia Dreams.
Originally from Te Tai Tokerau and of Te Rarawa descent, Bailey has been calling Te-Whanganui-a-Tara home for the last 5 years and aims to ensure that Rainbow Wellington is inclusive and supports our diverse rainbow and disability communities.
Kelly Day
Community Liaison
she/her
Kelly may be well known to you through the number of LGBT+ Meet Up groups and events she helps organise. She also runs online groups for queer people to share their events, businesses and questions.
Craig Watson
he/him/his
Events Coordinator
Craig is a Project Manager and has developed a number of events and initiatives for the community, including restarting the Wellington Pride Parade. Craig is a trained Youth Worker and started this working with youth in prisons across New Zealand. Craig has worked on a number of world-class events such as Rugby World Cup, Olympic Games and in 2016, produced the Proud to Play LGBTQ+ International Sports Festival in Auckland with over 500 athletes. Craig is a former trustee for the Rainbow New Zealand Charitable Trust and is Founder and Trustee for Diverse Church Trust – a group connecting the Rainbow Community to Faith.
Craig is passionate about helping to support and grow Wellington’s rainbow community and actively seeks opportunities to improve the well-being and safety for all.
Michael des Tombe
Project Coordinator
he/him/his
Michael grew up in Wellington and has recently returned after 20 years away in Auckland and London where he worked in a number of legal roles in the public sector.
He was most recently part of the UK team successfully negotiating the UK’s post-Brexit trade and security relationship with the EU. After taking a year long post-brexit career break to reconnect with his New Zealand family and friends Michael has joined Netsafe as its Chief Legal Adviser.
Michael is a passionate amateur plantsman and gardener, a fan of outdoor swimming if the water is warm enough and the occasional cycle if the hills are not too steep.
Wayne Jackson
Secretary
he/him/his
Wayne grew up in the South Island and has lived in Wellington since 1988. Before that he lived in London and France. He is a fluent speaker of French. He also communicates effectively in Spanish, having traveled widely in the Hispanic world. This experience has given him an appreciation of being gay in an unfamiliar culture and he is keen to make links with those in Wellington who find themselves in this situation.
Issues relevant to the Silver Rainbow community, support for the work of other organizations and individuals working in the Rainbow space and creating a more diverse range of social activities for members are among the concerns he brings to the Board.
Maintaining a demanding garden, cooking and consuming food, and travel are important leisure activities.
Cameron Wislang
Executive Member
he/him/his
Cameron is a young dad, business owner, author, and government employee from the Kāpiti Coast. He has worked mostly in supporting social services and recently moved into business specialist / people management positions in government.
He is the president of his children’s Montessori which he pulled out of debt a few years ago to a cash flow positive incorporated society. Off the back of his books “Woke Budgeting” and more recently “Budget Like A Legend” he runs a financial literacy business which supports people in growing their financial literacy and investments.
He identifies as bisexual and is passionate about queer rights, expressions, and challenging stereotypes.
Our Community
Patrons
Mayor Tory Whanau
Patron
I am delighted to be the Patron of Rainbow Wellington.
Rainbow Wellington promotes a strong sense of community for its members and represents them on broader issues. This is extremely important work. It is vital that all voices are heard and valued if we are to be a genuinely inclusive society.
I especially endorse Rainbow Wellington’s work to eliminate discrimination and prejudice against its members.
Email: mayor@wcc.govt.nz
Kevin Haunui
Tīwhanawhana Trust Vice Patron
Kevin is a founder of Tīwhanawhana Trust and guides Rainbow Wellington in our bicultural journey. This group provides support and community for our takatāpui whānau.
