Our New Kaiwhakahaere Matua | Director of RainbowYOUTH: Petazae Thoms!

We are delighted to announce our new Kaiwhakahaere Matua | Director of RainbowYOUTH, Petazae Thoms (Te Whakatōhea, Pākehā, and Papua New Guinea).

Petazae has been a stalwart in the Rainbow+ sector for many years. He has worked alongside rangatahi with InsideOUT Kōaro, served as General Manager for RainbowYOUTH in 2022, and rejoined our waka in 2025 as our Operations Coordinator.

Petazae brings wisdom, honesty, and the ability to lead from the front, the side, or the back as needed. His resilience through past organisational and institutional challenges - and the deep respect our kaimahi hold for him - affirm that he is a leader who will continue to shape and strengthen RainbowYOUTH’s future.

We now pass to Petazae to introduce himself and the energy he brings to this kaupapa. For now, join us in celebrating the humble and steadfast leader that is Petazae. ​ E rere ana ngā tai o mihi ki tō tātou kaiārahi hou, otirā ki a koutou katoa. ​ ​

— Caitlyn & Shawn (Co-Chairs)​ on behalf of the RainbowYOUTH Board.

“Petazae brings wisdom, honesty, and the ability to lead from the front, the side, or the back as needed.”

“Kia ora koutou. Halo olgeta.

Ko Petazae tēnei. I te taha o tōku Māmā, he uri ahau nō Te Whakatōhea, he Pākehā anō hoki. I te taha o tōku Pāpā, nō Central Province, Papua Nūkini ahau.

It is a great privilege to be introducing myself to you as RainbowYOUTH’s next Kaiwhakahaere Matua | Director.

Over the years, I have seen first hand the passion kaimahi have for working in service of our communities. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou, both kaimahi past and present, from whom I have learnt so much. Without their dedication, titles of leadership would carry no weight.

While my words may be brief, I hope you continue to see this passion. As RainbowYOUTH endures to create pathways for rangatahi to access community and advocates for an Aotearoa where Takatāpui, MVPFAFF+ and rainbow+ communities thrive.

Mauri ora! Wan Solwara!”

Petazae Thoms (he/him)
Kaiwhakahaere Matua | Director