Our Community
Committee
Sam French
Chair
he/him
Sam 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
Julz Darroch
Events Coordinator
she/her
Julz may be known to you as an organiser of the regular Polari Fantabulosa drinks.
Craig Watson
he/him
Events Coordinator
Craig is a diversity and inclusion professional, with a background in projects and events, having developed a number of events and initiatives for the community, including restarting the Wellington Pride Parade.
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.
Paul Giles
Events Coordinator
he/him
Paul is a communications and engagement specialist at top advisory firm, and proud Rainbow Wellington corporate member, MartinJenkins.
Melissa Wells
Grants Coordinator
they/them
Melissa brings experience in governance, policy, and community advocacy, with a strong focus on equity and accessibility. They are active in both rainbow and disability communities, drawing on lived experience to champion equity and representation. Melissa is committed to ensuring that diverse voices are heard and valued in decision-making spaces.
Wayne Jackson
Secretary
he/him
Wayne grew up in the South Island and has lived in Wellington since 1988. Before that he lived in London and France and has travelled 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 Committee.
Dylan Teague
Committee Member
they/them
Dylan is a new committee member, assisting with social media, and grant applications.
Michael des Tombe
Governance Coordinator
he/him
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.
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.
