Our Board
David Benton – Chairperson
David Benton recently retired as Clinical Director of Hanmer Clinic Tauranga, an NGO providing outpatient alcohol and drug addiction treatment programmes, that he and his wife Michael Ann began in 1999.
David has a master’s degree in Health Science, endorsed in Mental Health, from the University of Otago. A former High School Principal, he trained initially in the United States. Returning to New Zealand, he was Programme Director for the Salvation Army Bridge Programme on Rotoroa Island. David then went on to manage the Auckland Methadone Service and after moving to Tauranga worked with CADs and co-ordinated the Lakes Methadone Programme for ten years.
David brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the board.
Rosalind Potter
Co-founder of Brave Hearts NZ, Ros is the owner of a business in Mount Maunganui and the mother of two daughters.
Ros had a tumultuous six years with her daughter who struggled with meth addiction. Having come through this experience, Ros is now committed to helping family and whānau through the support phone and groups.
Pikiteora Russell
Piki joined the board of Brave Hearts NZ in 2020.
Ko Taranaki temaunga
Ko Pateate awa
Ko Aotea te waka
Ko Nga Rauru, ratou ko Ngati Tuwharetoa, ko Ngati Ruanui me Ngati Raukawa oku iwi
Ko Rangitaawhitehapu
Ko Wai-o-turitoku Marae
Ko Pikiteora (Whānau) Russell takuingoa
Piki has completed a Graduate Diploma in Professional Supervision, and is now pursuing a Masters of Professional Practice at Bethlehem Tertiary Institute. As a mother of five grown up children and ten grandchildren, Piki needs only to look at the grandchildren to give her the reason why she does what she does and loves what she does.
Michaela Kamo
Michaela works for the Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation (WBOP PHO) and has a background in radio broadcasting, business ownership, marketing and events.
In addition to being a Brave Hearts NZ board member, Michaela is the chairperson for Ngāi Tahu ki Tauranga Moana keeping Ngāi Tahu whānau connected who live outside of their rohe (region).
Michaela is committed to helping the community with Brave Hearts NZ by supporting education seminars and whānau who are struggling with their loved one’s addiction.
Michael Mills
Michael has an undergraduate degree in Education and Psychology, and a Masters Degree in Planning Practice (2002) from Auckland University. He began his professional career as a social worker before extending into community development.
Since 2002 he has been actively engaged in crime prevention and community safety activities at local and national level: commencing as Team Leader, Safe Waitakere for five years and then for nine years as the first coordinator of Tauranga and Western Bay Safe Communities. From 2012 until 2020, Michael had a national role with the Safe Communities Foundation NZ as the Community Engagement Advisor.
In 2021, Michael commenced working with Ngai Te Rangi Iwi providing mentoring and specialist expertise in the field of alcohol and drugs. In 2022 he was appointed to the Board of Western Bay of Plenty Neighbourhood Support, and has now joined the Board of Bravehearts.
FREE PHONE: 0508 272 834
EMAIL: support@bravehearts.nz
Unit 1/52 Girven Road, Bayfair,
Mount Maunganui
