Board

Moira Clunie

They/Them

Moira Clunie (Te Rarawa) has held leadership roles in rainbow, mental health and disability non-government organisations over the last 15 years. 

Moira’s current work focuses on improving the mental health and wellbeing of New Zealand’s rainbow population. They are project lead for Te Ngākau Kahukura, a national initiative working towards an Aotearoa where rainbow young people feel safe, valued, and that they belong in the places where they live, learn, and access healthcare and social support. 

Moira has specialist knowledge of population approaches to LGBTI+ mental health and suicide prevention, and currently serves in rainbow advisory roles to the National Depression Initiative, Auckland and Waitematā DHBs’ suicide prevention strategy and Statistics New Zealand. They are currently undertaking Masters study focusing on rainbow community leadership.

Frances Arns – Treasurer

She/Her

Frances Arns is from Auckland, her mum is pākehā (from Central Otago area) and her dad is German (from Cologne if anyone knows Germany!). Her work experience is in finance, strategy and governance. Frances has a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting and Management, and was at ASB Bank for three years working in Finance and then Corporate Strategy. She’s now the Executive Director of RainbowYOUTH. Frances was lucky to have a privileged upbringing as a queer cis woman in Aotearoa. She’s passionate about using the skills and experiences she’s been afforded to improve the outcomes and experiences for others in our communities. OUTLine provides such a crucial service for Rainbow folks across Aotearoa and she is excited to contribute to the organisation.

Grace Abbott – Secretary

She/Her

Grace (Ngāti Awa, Tūhoe) hails from beautiful Waiariki, but was born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau. She has a law degree from the University of Auckland, where she works as the Pouāwhina Māori at Auckland Law School and is also currently studying a Masters in indigenous law. She is passionate about indigenous rights, upholding tino rangatiratanga and supporting rainbow communities.

Ricky Te Akau

He/Him

Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Hinemihi, Waikato/Tainui, Ngaati Maahanga

He aha te mea nui ō te ao . . .  he tāngata.

Ricky Te Akau is working in the Rainbow sector and has over a decade volunteering as well as being employed in the sector and now given an opportunity to be able to lend a hand and some insight into being Takataapui in Aotearoa today. He is currently working within Community Engagement through the NZ AIDS Foundation and providing educational opportunities for organisations, clinicians, whānau and those involved in the support of our people at risk.  He also had a background in Event Management, with many corporate clients and gigs under his belt.

Fortunate to live on Waiheke Island amongst the native birds and bush which provides a space to reflect and ponder the good things in life.

Luca Bree

He/Him

Luca has been active in LGBTQI organisations since the 1970’s, including the campaigns for Homosexual Law Reform and the Marriage Amendment Act. In 2019 he transitioned his gender, to acknowledge the man he has always felt himself to be.

Luca graduated with a Master of Health Science, moving from a Home Birth Midwifery Practice to 23 years with the Auckland District Health Board High Risk Team. His research followed Rainbow families planning pregnancy through their experiences with maternity care, and was cited in changes to Youth and Family law.

Early involvement with HIV activism led to providing midwifery care for all women living with HIV in the Tamaki Makaurau region, chairing the Board of Positive Women Inc, and he is the Maternity delegate on the National HIV Forum.

Luca has lived beside Grey Lynn Park for almost 40 years. His home has been a Wharenui for children Rose and Liam, grandson Hugo, and many housemates/friends.