Ross Davis
Director of Youth and Community Projects
Director of Youth and Community Projects
Ross grew up with his parents, Francis Davis and Fay Paterson, and sisters Helen, Jane and Mary in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), te whenua o Ngāti Whatua (local iwi). His connection with Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) goes way back, however – his father's great grandparents arrived here from Ireland in 1845.
Ross has been the director at BGI since 2002 and he and his wife Anna brought up their three tamariki Andrew, Eve and Claire in Wellington. Ross and Anna are Pākeha and their tamariki have whakapapa Māori and Ross has roots in Wellington through his great great grandparents who lived in Willis street and are buried in Bolton street cemetery.
At BGI, Ross' role is Director of Youth and Community Projects. This has required understanding the ins and outs of BGI's history to develop projects which both further the vision of our founders and honour Te Tiriti.
Ross is not new to working with rangatahi (young people) – he was running youth groups through his church when he was just 20 years old! He's always loved learning from young people. Between then and now, he's been a qualified accountant and business co-owner, doing lots of sailing, sports and te ao Māori study on the side.
Given the chance to support his younger self, Ross says, "I'd reassure him that God really does love him – and that a life driven by giving to his community will energise him and spark joy. I’d encourage him to stay excited about the love of God, don’t go to church too much, learn Te Reo, art, and the guitar and keep practising your whole life."
Kahukura Ritchie
Youth Work Manager | Kaiārahi Māori Development Team Lead | Kura Wānanga co-Coordinator
Youth Work Manager | Kaiārahi Māori Development Team Lead | Kura Wānanga co-Coordinator
Kahukura grew up in Whaingaroa/Raglan and is Ngāti Kahukuraawhitia, Ngāti Moe, Ngāti Kahungunu, and Rangitāne ki Wairarapa.
In 2018, BGI offered him an internship to study at Praxis (a network of youth development practitioners) where he got involved with a rangatahi Māori leadership development programme called Tuia.
Kahukura loves video games, cooking, diving, whānau, and his dogs. He is our Youth Work Manager, Kaiārahi Māori Development Team Lead and Kura Wānanga Lead. On top of all this, he continues to mentor rangatahi 1:1.
Kahukura realised at his first BGI information evening just how helpful a mentor would have been for his younger self. Now, through helping others, Kahukura has found pride in his identity and a passion for deepening his connection to his whakapapa.
Michael Person
Team Co-Lead at Te Whare Taiohi (TWT) | Garden and Volunteer Coordinator
Team Co-Lead at Te Whare Taiohi (TWT) | Garden and Volunteer Coordinator
Michael was born in the USA in Spokane, Washington. At 13, he moved to the UK to live with his mother, and in 2014 he came to Aotearoa.
Before taking on the role of Head Chef with us, Michael had worked as a restaurant chef for over ten years. At BGI, he’s dedicated to waste prevention and sustainable consumption practices, running creative Cooking on a Budget classes in the Community Kitchen and developing BGI's community garden spaces.
Michael loves ocean swimming, capoeira, dance, music (drumming), video games and comic books. He’s been a youth sports coach and capoeira teacher, which laid the foundations for his work at BGI.
Michael would have encouraged his younger self to begin dance earlier – he believes artistic self-expression is key to building confidence in young people.
Īhāia Puketapu
Team Co-Lead at Te Whare Taiohi (TWT)
Team Co-Lead at Te Whare Taiohi (TWT)
Mary Major
Funding Manager
Funding Manager
Mary recognises the privilege of having grown up with a large, close and loving family in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland). She spent many years living in the Wairarapa with husband, Geoff, a handful of sheep & chickens, and a kitten called Tui, but has recently moved back to Tāmaki Makaurau to be closer to her parents.
Mary’s background is in teaching English – she’s currently writing a novel – and she came to BGI to work on ideas for funding future projects. Mary has worn many hats at BGI, and is now focusing on Funding .
She says her greatest achievement is being a mother to her three grown-up children. And when asked how she'd support her younger self, Mary says she’d tell her to "follow your passions and don’t be afraid of failure – be afraid not to try."
Carey Young
Outreach Director | Gallery Director
Outreach Director | Gallery Director
Carey comes from a background in the arts, running dealer galleries and fostering opportunities for artists young and old to experiment, take risks and create.
She spent her childhood in Te Matau-a-Māui and moved to Australia with her whānau in her early teens. A unfettered urge to return to her homeland landed her in a turreted villa with an eclectic mix of musicians, artists and actors when she was 17 years old. The energy and opportunities this city offers has bought Carey back to Pōneke time and time again, it feels like home.
Carey takes on the roles of Outreach Director and Gallery Director at BGI, where she passionately champions the importance of meaningful connections and actively works towards establishing BGI as a strong Te Tiriti partner. In her position, Carey assumes responsibility for various areas including funding, communications, marketing, and overall outreach efforts with an overarching mission to stand with young people to create great communities.
Jordyn Katipa-Martin
Senior Youth Worker | Challenge for Change Coordinator
Senior Youth Worker | Challenge for Change Coordinator
Jordyn is a descendent of Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Maniapoto and Ngāti Ruanui but was born and raised in Ōtepoti (Dunedin). She started teaching kapa haka and te reo Māori at 14 and fell in love with youth work and teaching.
After High School she continued to foster her passions by completing a Bachelor of Arts Majoring in Indigenous Development with a minor in Education at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, University of Otago.
During her time at University she continued teaching and mentoring throughout the community to put the knowledge she was gaining at University into practice. Jordyn has worked in many different facets of youth work ranging from one on one peer mentoring, to high risk youth, to governance.
Jordyn brings a fresh new perspective and a wealth of experience to BGI as a Senior Youth Worker.
Flick her an email to get in touch today! Jordyn@bgi.org.nz
Joanne Nowak
Senior Youth Worker | Anamata Motuhake Programme Lead
Senior Youth Worker | Anamata Motuhake Programme Lead
Joanne grew up in Te Awa Kairangi / theHutt valley, she hails from Ngāti Awa and holds a Bachelor in Youth Development. Joanne joined BGI as a Senior Youth Worker and helps coordinate our youth entrepreneurship programme, Anamata Motuhake
Her background is in supporting young people in mental health and addictions, where she focused on building trust, creating meaningful opportunities, and helping them develop confidence. Many faced challenges in securing or sustaining work or study, which highlighted the importance of connection and skill-building.
At BGI, her goal is to empower young people through our entrepreneurship programme, grounded in the Mana Taiohi youth development framework. The programme aims to enhance young people’s mana while developing skills in business literacy, leadership, communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. She also connects participants with mentors and supports them in applying for seed funding through the King’s Trust.
Andrew Kasonde
Senior Youth Worker | Global Village Coordinator | Tuāwhana co-Coordinator
Senior Youth Worker | Global Village Coordinator | Tuāwhana co-Coordinator
'Andrew was born in Zambia and now calls Te Whanganui a Tara home. Andrew is passionate about providing tools and spaces that help young people thrive so they can be a blessing to their families and communities. Andrew coordinates the Global Village school-based programme for our Rangatahi of refugee/migrant background. The purpose of this programme is to strengthen belonging and help build connection through fun activities.'
Jonty Godfrey
Youth Worker | Tuāwhana co-Coordinator
Youth Worker
Jonty started off life in rural Australia and floated between New South Wales, Queensland, Whangārei, Darwin, Hawkes Bay and Ōtepōti before putting down roots in Pōneke. He studied at Te Herenga Waka, undertaking a Bachelor of Arts and Honours degree focusing on international politics, human geography, migration and identity.
Over the last few years, Jonty has sought out opportunities to engage with and support a diverse range of youth and vulnerable people. He has volunteered in a football-based youth centre in Ghana, co-facilitated extra curricular homework programmes for refugee background children, provided disability support in residential and live-in systems, and coordinated volunteer activity for students within Wellington's charity scene.
Coming now off another long-term overseas sojourn, working with BGI within the Te Whare Taiohi programme offers a new set of challenges and opportunities.
Mikaere Hiroti
Youth Worker | Grow Your Place Coordinator
Mikaere@bgi.org.nz
Youth Worker | Grow Your Place Coordinator
Ko au te awa, ko te awa ko au
Mikaere has whakapapa to Whanganui (Te Ati Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Apa, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa). He grew up there most of his life.
In 2020 he moved to Pōneke, pursuing change and character development.
Welcoming 2025, Mikaere was offered a scholarship through BGI to study youth development with praxis, whilst also securing a casual/part time position at BGI as a youth worker. This has been invaluable in expanding his horizons and enriching his work with rangatahi.
Tom Gould
Youth Worker | Anamata Motuhake Programme Lead
Youth Worker | Anamata Motuhake Programme Lead
Tom was born in Belfast and spent his childhood traveling before his family eventually settled in the Swansea Valleys in Wales. He moved to Bristol to study for a BA in Business Team Entrepreneurship at UWE Bristol, which is where his journey into entrepreneurship work with young people began, particularly through coaching and mentoring.
Tom started working as a youth worker for Swansea Council and spent over three years in youth work and youth engagement roles in Wales. During that time, he initiated and led a youth-led entrepreneurship project where young people organised tea parties to reach out to older generations. The project the Rangatahi developed was so successful it was rolled out across the whole city of Swansea and won the Equalities, Inclusion and Cohesion award at the Wales Safer Communities Awards in 2024.
As Programme Lead for Anamata Motuhake, Tom is here to support Rangatahi to turn their ideas, passions, and curiosity into something real, whether that's a business, a creative project, or just a bit more confidence in what's possible.
Donné Minnaar
Youth Worker
Youth Worker
Donnés journey with BGI began as a volunteer for the Paper Bag Lunch programme, and with her professional dance background was the perfect person to inspire movement and active rec in our young people. Donné became co-facilitator of PBL in early 2024 and does one on one mentoring with our Challenge for Change young people. She also supports Sportsbreak, the Community Kitchen and manages the compost hub in the Community Garden.
Donné was born in South Africa and migrated to New Zealand on Waitangi Day 2006. With a deep love for culture and travel, she embarked on a global journey in her early 20s, starting with a one-way ticket to the UK. This adventure led to exploring Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Cook Islands, working in backpackers and visiting museums along the way. She encourages exploration of one’s own interests and passions, broadening the horizons in our young people and with exposure to diverse cultures appreciates different perspectives, fostering an inclusive environment where young people feel seen and respected.
Donné also enjoys creative arts and runs a term long project with the TWT young people designing sneakers which they wear with pride.
Donné believes that all young people deserve opportunities to try new things and explore who they are becoming in a judgement free environment and works to bring this energy to all Kaupapa she is involved in.
Jahzalia Hollis
Youth Worker | Sports Break Coordinator
Youth Worker | Sports Break Coordinator
Ko Taiwānanga te moana
Ko Taupiri te maunga
Ko Te Atihau te marae
Ko Ngāti Hikairo te hapū
Ko Rongomaiwahine e Ngāti Porou ngā iwi
No Māhia ahau
Ko Emily toku māmā
Ko Jahzalia toku ingoa
Jahzalia (Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Porou) hails from the great peninsula of Māhia, Hawke's Bay. She's been involved with BGI since she was in Year 10, as a young person on Journeys, an after-school youth programme that has now concluded. Later on, she began helping to run the programme during weekly sessions and school holidays.
These days, Jahzalia is an experienced Journeys team mate and youth worker. She feels grateful to have received a scholarship to study youth work after year 13 and loves now being part of the BGI team!
Te reo Māori is what Jahzalia enjoys practicing, both in her own time and through working with rangatahi Māori. It enables her to learn more about her whakapapa and Māoritanga. It's also connected to her love of singing waiata. At BGI, you'll often hear her before you see her!
Thinking back several years, Jahzalia says having help with her time management definitely would've set her up for success. She's developing that skill now.
Kuīni Blade
Youth Worker | Kura Wānanga co-Coordinator
Youth worker | Kura Wānanga co-Coordinator
He uri tēnei nō Muriwhenua. I tipu ake ia i Te Whānganui-a-Tara, i Wairarapa hoki.
Kuīni was in Year 12 at Wellington High School when she became a teina within the Kura Wānanga. This experience allowed her to grow into herself and deepen her connection to her taha Māori. Through her time as a teina, Kuīni developed a strong sense of servitude, which inspired her to pursue a career in youth work. The support she received from her tuakana (mentors) was highly formative, and she is committed to giving back to the rangatahi in her community.
Currently, Kuīni is in her first year of the full immersion reo Māori program, working towards a Poutuarongo Reo (Bachelor in Te Reo Māori) at Te Wānanga o Raukawa. She has a passion for music, mahi toi, whānau, and her haumis.
As a kaiārihi for the Kura Wānanga, Kuīni is driven by her understanding of the significance and impact that tuakanatanga can have for rangatahi. Her journey within te ao Māori and growing her understanding of where she comes from ground her in shaping her future.
Billy Paratene
Youth Worker
Youth Worker
Billy has lived in Pōneke his whole life and has whakapapa to Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahungungu and Rangitāne ki Wairau.
He first connected to BGI in high school through the Kura Wānanga, where he went on to come back to volunteer as a tuakana before eventually starting his work at BGI.
Billy is currently studying Heke Poutuorongo Reo (full immersion Māori) at Te Wānanga ō Raukawa. Billy has a strong passion for music, videography, art and all things creative.
René Davies
Numeracy Teacher / Kaiako at Te Whare Taiohi
Teacher / Kaiako at Te Whare Taiohi
René was blessed to grow up in beautiful Waihi Beach, loving the bounty of outdoor pursuits it provided and producing a feeling of being at home in nature. From that background he went on how to protect it through studying Environmental Science, and then on to becoming a registered teacher.
Just as you can not learn kaitiakitanga from a book, you can not learn to surf from a book. Being a kaitiaki and a surfer connects you to the Earth. Good surfers use all their senses to learn. René is a good surfer and he, like most of us, learns best when we do something - this is his style of teaching.
Rose McIlhone
Literacy Teacher / Kaiako at Te Whare Taiohi
Literacy Teacher / Kaiako at Te Whare Taiohi
Rose grew up in Ōtautahi (Christchurch) but now calls Te Whanganui-a-Tara home. Her whānau whakapapa to Ireland and Cornwall.
Rose's BGI journey started over a decade ago when she volunteered as a mentor for Challenge for Change. This sparked a passion for working with youth and she went on to train as an English and social studies teacher.
She has worked across both mainstream and alternative education settings. She is currently studying a Master of Educational Psychology, and is particularly passionate about trauma-informed practice and supporting rangatahi who have disengaged from school.
Rose is excited to be back with the BGI whānau, working as a literacy kaiako at Te Whare Taiohi. She sees literacy as a powerful tool for storytelling, a way to make sense of our lives, and the world around us. Rose values ako, the reciprocal process of teaching and learning, as central to her practice.
Helen Craig
Community Kitchen Support
Community Kitchen Support
Helen grew up in Ōtepoti/Dunedin and now lives with her whānau in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. From a young age, she’s loved kai (food). She fondly remembers cooking interesting dishes with her dad and baking with her grandmother as a child.
Helen and her family have whāngaied their two younger children who whakapapa Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tūhoe, and Ngāti Kahungungu. Through BGI, they've had some amazing opportunities to visit marae around the motu (country) and deepen their connection with te ao Māori (the Māori worldview).
Helen loves working with rangatahi, community members and fellow BGI staff who are just as passionate about food and whānau as she is. Looking back, she wishes she’d been encouraged to build confidence in herself sooner. At BGI, she's teaching youth how to feed themselves well, and back themselves while doing it.
Ruth Prentice
Youth Programme Support
Youth Programme Support
Ruth Prentice was born in Leeds and grew up in West Yorkshire. She moved to New Zealand in 1998 after studying and working in Edinburgh. She calls Wellington home now and has three children who were all born and raised here.
With a professional background in strategic HR, Ruth has been drawn into the refugee resettlement sector over the last decade, whilst navigating the world of neurodiversity through her youngest daughter.
She is the parenting facilitator on our Challenge for change team, where she can empathise and support other families who find themselves in similar situations, with children who may struggle to fit into a neurotypical world.
She loves the nurturing and inclusive culture at BGI, with the community kitchen/ garden/cooks always there to create a nourishing welcome.
Outside of BGI Ruth runs a community initiative "Aroha Afternoons" which is all about breaking down barriers and bringing people together from different backgrounds, cultures and religions to share lived experience over kai and kōrero.
Music often features at these sessions as she also plays a blue electric violin and loves nothing more than to connect with different musicians from other parts of the world.