Our Community
Committee
Melissa Wells
Co-Chair & Grants Coordinator
they/them
Melissa brings experience in governance, policy, and community advocacy. They have worked in senior roles across local government and healthcare in disability equity and accessibility, with experience in service design, data and systems improvement, and Universal Design. Melissa is active in both rainbow and disability communities and draws on their experiences as a disabled and queer person in their work.
Paul Giles
Co-Chair
he/him
Paul (Ngāti Kahungunu) has called Wellington home for almost twenty years. He brings experience from being on Boards for other volunteer organisations as well as from a diverse working background spanning the public sector, not for profits and private businesses.
Julz Darroch
Committee Member (Events & Communications)
she/her
Julz may be known to you as an organiser of the regular Polari Fantabulosa drinks. She is a public servant, working in the education sector. She organises a number of our fundraising and social events.
Craig Watson
he/him
Committee Member (Events & Fundraising)
Craig Watson (He/Him) is an advocate, and organiser dedicated to creating inclusive spaces where LGBTQ+ people can thrive. He has served on the board of Rainbow Wellington for 7 years, where he has fundraised over $10,000 for the grants programme, established Pride in Tech at Wellington High School, founded the new Wellington Pride Parade and leads a sport inclusion and safety programme, Proud to Play NZ, for the Wellington region. Craig also founded of Diverse Church NZ, a national organisation supporting LGBTQ+ people of faith and working towards more inclusive faith communities. Passionate about storytelling, community building, and social change, Craig is committed to helping create a future where everyone can participate fully and authentically in their communities.
Sam French
Secretary
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
Bayley Bouzaid
Treasurer
he/him
Bayley is a proud Hutt Valley local with more than 14 years of experience in retail leadership and management. Throughout his career, he has led teams across the retail apparel sector, delivering strong commercial outcomes while supporting the growth and development of staff across multiple locations.
Bayley brings extensive experience in people leadership, operations, and strategic planning, with a strong passion for developing talent and fostering inclusive, customer-focused environments.
Dylan Teague
Committee Member (Communications)
they/them
Dylan is a busy volunteer, working with a number of community groups. They have a passion for design and is committed to raising awareness and promoting queer rights. As a committee member, they manage our social media.
Angela Naui
Committee Member (Fundraising)
she/her
Angela is a structural engineer in the energy sector, working on projects across Aotearoa.
Outside of work and Rainbow Wellington, Angela has established a Butch Club aiming to provide safe spaces/events for the butch/masc community.
As a proud Filipino butch, she is also passionate about celebrating and supporting queer people of colour.
P Jensen
Committee Member (Memberships)
she/her/ia
P is a proud Wellingtonian whose advocacy is rooted in lived experience. She brings a people centred approach to her advocacy, drawing on her experience improving workplace inclusion and supporting grassroots community organisations
P believes advocacy is most powerful when it’s personal, and grounded in care for the community.
Madyson King
Committee Member (Events & Grants)
she/her
Madyson has been involved with community organisations since she was a teenager. She has been working in the event industry for nearly 20 years. She is excited to bring her experience with events and community organisation to the Rainbow Wellington team.
Our Community
Patrons
Mayor Andrew Little
Patron
Hon Andrew Little has been Mayor of Wellington since 2025.
He was previously a lawyer by profession, a union leader, a Member of Parliament, and a senior Cabinet Minister. As Minister for Justice, he presided over the passing of the Criminal Records (Expungement of Convictions for Historical Homosexual Offences) Act 2018, introduced by Hon Amy Adams of the previous National government.
He lives in Island Bay with his wife Leigh, and their border terrier Harry. The couple have an adult son.
Andrew’s twin sister Val, and her wife Pat, are the co-founders of Paekākāriki Pride Festival.
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.
