Te Rōpū Kaitohutohu Take Hapori Iwi Takatāpui
Rainbow Communities Advisory Panel
The role of the Rainbow Communities Advisory Panel
The Rainbow Communities Advisory Panel offers advice based on their experiences living as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex or queer (LGBTIQ+) people, to help us improve outcomes for this community.
They will:
identify issues that are important to members of rainbow communities
provide advice on our regional strategies, policies and plans
help us to effectively engage with rainbow communities.
Members of the 2025-2028 panel
Ashe Black
Ashe (he/she, 28 years old) is genderfluid, bisexual and disabled, born with Septo-optic Dysplasia, a rare disorder that affects early brain development. He is visually impaired, autistic and also has no sense of smell. She has lived life as transgender for over 10 years and has recently come out as genderfluid-nonbinary in late 2025.
Ashe is eager for his second term with the Rainbow Communities Advisory Panel to learn and grow more into the truest version of himself.
He began working in the youth sector in 2022 as a trainee youth worker at Shore Junction, Auckland's biggest youth hub in Takapuna with over 6500 members. Ashe continues working there part time today as a youth worker and LGBT+ specialist. Her role involves building connections with rangatahi and giving them a safe space to grow, connect with others and thrive. He helps run a youth-led events group called Rainbow Junction within Shore Junction.
She also began a secondary position as the Rainbow and Disability Coordinator for YES Disability Resource Centre in September 2025, working specifically with disabled young people and has created a group called I.Pride which focuses on building nationwide social and advocacy spaces for LGBT+ and MVPFAFF+ An acronym used to encompass the diverse gender and sexuality expressions and roles across Pacific cultures. disabled youth.
Ashe has also been a volunteer for disabled youth-run group I.Lead since 2023 and enjoys creating art, playing video games and spending time with her partner in her free time.
Ben Bonné
Ben Bonné is a passionate advocate for rainbow communities who believes inclusive leadership and strong communities are essential to the future of Tāmaki Makaurau.
He is the Deputy Manager of Student Support at the University of Auckland Students’ Association, where he champions inclusive systems and supports the team in delivering a range of support services for university students.
Ben also serves as a board member of the Pacific Rainbow Games, a multi-sport LGBTQIA+ event that celebrates diversity and creates safe, affirming spaces for rainbow communities.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Sociology and an Honours degree in History from the University of Auckland.
His experience spans governance, policy analysis, research and community engagement, and he is committed to ensuring the voices of takatāpui and LGBTQIA+ communities are meaningfully represented in decision-making.
Outside of work, Ben enjoys hiking, travelling, reading and being part of several rainbow sporting groups in Auckland.
Eric Chou
Eric Chou is a second-term member of Auckland Council’s Rainbow Communities Advisory Panel and an active leader within Auckland’s multicultural communities.
Originally from Taiwan with heritage from Taiwan’s indigenous peoples, he brings lived experience of migration, cultural identity, rainbow and community connection to his work.
Eric serves as Secretary-General of a regional Hakka association and is involved in cross-cultural and civic initiatives across Aotearoa and Oceania. Through community engagement and digital storytelling, he works to strengthen dialogue between diverse communities and local government.
He believes Auckland is a shared home for people of many cultures and backgrounds and values contributing thoughtfully to Auckland's growth and wellbeing.
Grayson Coutts
Grayson Coutts is an Auckland-based professional who lives and runs a business in the city. He brings strong communication skills and experience working with people from diverse backgrounds, with a focus on listening, constructive engagement and delivering effective outcomes.
As a member of the Rainbow community, Grayson is committed to ensuring lived experience is reflected in local decision-making. He contributes a pragmatic, evidence informed approach to the advisory panel, with an emphasis on good governance, measurable impact and responsible stewardship of public resources.
Artie Ho
Artie (he/him) is a queer advocate, a first-generation Cantonese immigrant who grew up in Tāmaki Makaurau and a queer trans man.
He currently studies law at Waipapa Taumata Rau / the University of Auckland. At the university, he founded the UoA Queer Students Association, the general club for all queer students and allies on campus. He has also previously served on the Trans on Campus executive team.
Currently, Artie is the Queer Rights Officer at Te Rōpū Kahikatea AUSA, doing advocacy work both inside and outside of the university, caring for the campus’ Queerspace, coordinating events and initiatives and supporting queer students directly.
Artie credits his work to the local queer community’s support. He is passionate about extending that support to all members of the queer community in a genuinely intersectional manner.
Deborah James
Deborah recently finished full-time work after a career in the public and community sectors.
Her previous roles include Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Auckland Council, advisor to the Minister of Local Government and deputy commissioner at the Health and Disability Commission.
Deborah works part-time at the The Charlotte Museum (Te Whare Takatāpui-Wāhine o Aotearoa)as an exhibition coordinator.
Mish (Michelle) Mascoll
Mish (Michelle) is a Londoner of Afro-Caribbean heritage who now lives in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. She is deeply rooted in her communities and widely recognised for turning connection into action.
As the founder of Same Same But Black, Mish creates safe spaces for BIPOC Black, Indigenous and People of Colour. queer voices through podcasts, screenings and empowerment initiatives that explore culture, identity and resilience.
In 2022, she co-founded the Ethnic Rainbow Alliance to carve out space for conversations and collaboration across Aotearoa’s diverse communities. An unyielding advocate and disruptor, Mish actively networks to uplift marginalised voices and to build practical bridges between cultural groups, media platforms and civic institutions.
She also co-founded the Black Sound Society, further amplifying Black creative expression and opportunity within Aotearoa’s cultural landscape.
In addition to her community work, Mish serves as a Justice of the Peace.
Her work is grounded in a commitment to inclusive, equitable outcomes and accountable leadership. Mish remains dedicated to cross-cultural dialogue and community-driven change that strengthens Aotearoa’s social fabric. Her approach blends compassion with accountability, inviting diverse communities to participate, learn and collaborate toward a more equitable, resilient and connected New Zealand.
Remy Schwenke
Remy Schwenke (she/they) is a proud Samoan fa’afafine A Samoan person who identifies with a gender role that is different from male or female. born and raised in South Auckland.
Remy is a freelance artist whose work focuses on storytelling. Their practice explores what it means to exist as a fa’afafine across physical and digital spaces.
They created Masina’s Love, an online Pacific queer platform where gamers gather and connect. The platform grew from their streaming channel, The Hot Girl Lane.
With a background in design, fitness and community support, Remy continues to learn, create and support their communities. Their work is grounded in their lived experience and the intersections they navigate.
Shu Wang
Born and raised in China, Shu is a first-generation immigrant who moved to Aotearoa around eight years ago.
Shu currently serves as the chair of Chinese Pride NZ, an organisation dedicated to supporting the Chinese queer community in Aotearoa.
Professionally, Shu works in the tertiary education sector within engagement and partnerships, connecting students with industry and supporting them to become career-ready beyond graduation.
Shayde Young
Shayde Young (Te Whakatōhea, Ngāpuhi) identifies as takatāpui (she/her/ia) and is the founder and executive director of GendAffirm.
She established GendAffirm to strengthen pathways for trans and gender diverse communities into safe, inclusive workplaces, while supporting organisations to develop meaningful gender affirmation policies.
Grounded in lived experience and community leadership, Shayde is deeply committed to equitable outcomes, particularly for South Auckland communities and for takatāpui and MVPFAFF+ people.
Her previous mahi includes advancing inclusive workplace practices and gender affirmation policy development, alongside grassroots community work with rangatahi and rainbow communities.
Through GendAffirm, she facilitates awareness workshops, partners with employers and leads a peer support group focused on connection and empowerment.
Shayde is a Life Member of RainbowYOUTH and continues to advocate for rainbow communities across Tāmaki Makaurau.
Meetings of the panel
The panel has a mixture of open formal business meetings and closed workshops each year. The panel meets approximately every six to eight weeks, excluding December and January.
Formal business meetings are open to the public and any elected members of Auckland Council.
Workshops are used for discussion between panel members, Governing Body members and relevant council staff.
