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.
Michaela Kamo
Michaela works as the Kaiwhakahaere Hauora Māori / Director Māori health for Pegasus Trust in Ōtautahi/Christchurch and has a background in radio broadcasting, business ownership, marketing and events.
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.
Errol Brain
Errol and his wife Tracy own The Drug Detection Agency Bay of Plenty/The Lakes and have done so for the last 10 years.
He is the father of 3 daughters Molly, Isabella & Scarlett-Rose.
With a long background in professional rugby, he is still involved in the game in a Governance role as a director of The Chiefs Super Rugby Club.
Errol has said he is very honoured to be involved with Bravehearts and looks forward to meeting new people and being of service to the trust.
Brave Hearts Family addiction support
FREE PHONE: 0508 272 834
EMAIL: support@bravehearts.nz
Unit 1/52 Girven Road, Bayfair, Mount Maunganui
