Our Team

  • Smiling woman with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a red floral dress outdoors with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.

    Michelle Gear

    INTRO
    I was born and raised in the great state of New York, in the USA. I moved to Tauranga in 2010 and have called this land my home ever since.

    I have been graciously welcomed by the tangata whenua and have had the privilege to marry into the beautiful Ngāti Ranginui and Ngāti Tapu. I enjoy cooking, being active in the stunning NZ outdoors and spending time with my little whanau.


    CLIFTON STRENGTHS
    Belief, Individualisation, Strategic, Responsibility and Arranger


    ENNEAGRAM NUMBER
    1


    ROLES
    Operations Lead
    Trust Secretary
    International Leadership Team

  • A woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing glasses and a black top with lace trim, smiling outdoors against a background of green foliage.

    Marie Juge

    INTRO
    Je suis Marie - Mélanie Juge, née d'Orlan de Polignac. Mon mari Jonathan Juge, mes deux enfants Noémie et Matthias et moi même sommes originaire de la région de la Brie, dans le département de Seine et Marne, en France.


    CLIFTON STRENGTHS
    Connectedness, Woo, Strategic, Activator and Ideation


    ENNEAGRAM NUMBER
    3


    ROLE
    International Leadership Team

  • A woman with shoulder-length brown hair and green eyes, smiling, wearing a green top, standing outdoors with green leafy vines in the background.

    Cora Dawson

    INTRO
    Ko Mauao te maunga
    Ko Tauranga te moana
    Ko Air France te waka
    No Parani taku Papa
    No Peina taku Mama
    Ko Waimapu te marae
    He whangai ki te taha o Ngati Ruahine


    CLIFTON STRENGTHS
    Includer, Connectedness, Developer, Context and Belief


    ENNEAGRAM NUMBER
    2


    ROLES
    Design Lead
    Certified Mentor
    Certified Trainer
    Strengths Coach
    Enneagram Coach
    International Leadership Team

  • Portrait of a man with a beard and short dark hair, smiling, wearing a white shirt, standing outdoors with green foliage in the background.

    Matt Dawson

    INTRO
    I was raised on the beaches of Tongva and Chumash lands in California and am now so blessed to live in Aotearoa NZ [my dad’s homeland) with my beautiful family. I love seeing relationships healed, spending time with my favourite people, and surfing.

    Ko Mauao te maunga
    Ko Tauranga te moana
    Ko SS Summerset te waka
    He whangai ahau ki te taha o Ngati-Ranginui
    Ano hoki ki te taha o Ngati-Ruahine ki Waimapu Marae


    CLIFTON STRENGTHS
    Strategic, Communication, Positivity, Self-Assurance and Woo


    ENNEAGRAM NUMBER
    3


    ROLES
    Partnership Development Lead
    Trustee & Trust Chairperson
    Certified Mentor
    Certified Trainer
    Hub Leader [New Zealand & France]
    International Leadership Team

  • A woman with shoulder-length wavy brown hair and blue eyes, wearing a dark jacket with floral embroidery, outdoors with blurred green foliage in the background.

    Rachel Hewitt

    INTRO
    Home is many places for me. Born in Australia, I love to pioneer. Reaching back to my Celtic ancestry, I love deep-rooted wisdoms and traditions.

    Having called Aotearoa my ‘tūrangawaewae’ (my place of standing) for the past 20 years, I love the rich tapestry of hospitality, knowing and being known, woven together in a genuine community.

    All this, makes for Restoring Connections being a perfect ‘home’ for me!


    CLIFTON STRENGTHS
    Communication, Relator, Strategic, Activator and Responsibility


    ENNEAGRAM NUMBER
    2


    ROLES
    Special Projects Lead
    Trustee & Trust Treasurer

  • A man with curly dark hair and a goatee, wearing a purple collared shirt, standing outdoors in front of green foliage

    Michael Lefebvre

    INTRO
    Ko Nakiska te maunga
    Ko Battle te awa iti
    Ko Métis Nation te iwi
    Nō Kelowna, Canada ahau
    Kei Tauranga Moana tōku kāinga ināianei
    Ko Micheal tōku ingoa


    ENNEAGRAM NUMBER
    2


    ROLE
    Podcast Production

  • A woman with shoulder-length dark hair, smiling, wearing a light blue button-up shirt and standing outdoors in front of a leafy tree with sunlight filtering through the leaves.

    Pauline Bennett

    INTRO
    Ko Putauaki toku maunga
    Ko Ngati Awa toku iwi
    Ko Te Orini toku awa
    Ko Taewhakaea toku marae
    Ko Mātaatua toku waka
    Ko Ngai Taiwhakaea te hapu
    No Whakatane ahau


    CLIFTON STRENGTHS
    Empathy, Restorative, Responsibility, Context and Developer


    ENNEAGRAM NUMBER
    1


    ROLE
    Graphic Design

  • Smiling middle-aged man with a beard, wearing a black shirt, outdoors with a tree branch and green leaves in the background.

    Royce Pedersen

    INTRO
    I am privileged to live in sunny Tauranga, Aotearoa NZ, an ideal place for outdoor enthusiasts.

    I am passionate about helping people realize their full potential, uncover their true selves, and cultivating enriching relationships with others.


    CLIFTON STRENGTHS
    Empathy, Developer, Harmony, Connectedness, Responsibility


    ENNEAGRAM NUMBER
    9


    ROLE
    Trustee

  • A man with curly brown hair smiling outdoors in a natural setting during daylight.

    Ben Goodgame

    INTRO
    I spent ten years of my childhood in East Africa before moving to the United States. My wife, children, and I have lived in Rotorua, New Zealand, since 2018. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to Restoring Connections and believe strongly in the healing vision of their work.


    CLIFTON STRENGTHS
    Achiever, Deliberative, Learner, Intellection, Context


    ROLE
    Trustee

  • A middle-aged man with short, light-colored hair outdoors, wearing a dark gray sweater, with a blurred natural background of trees and blue sky.

    Peter Capes

    INTRO
    Born in Tauranga and now living in Papamoa. I am grateful that my family call this place home.

    I have a heart for seeing business and personal relationships thrive. For me, there is nothing better than being around passionate people with a common goal.


    CLIFTON STRENGTHS
    Futuristic, Adaptability, Restorative, Ideation, Relator

    ENNEAGRAM NUMBER
    2


    ROLES
    Strategic Development
    Trustee

  • A smiling elderly woman with short dark hair standing outdoors near a tree with green leaves in the background.

    Vicky Roberts

    INTRO
    Ngā Ruahine/Te Atiawa
    (coming soon)


    CLIFTON STRENGTHS
    Connectedness, Belief, Individualisation, Ideation, Includer


    ROLE
    Trustee

  • Smiling elderly man with white hair and beard, wearing a black jacket and red-checkered shirt, standing outdoors in front of green leafy bushes.

    John Dawson

    INTRO
    I was born and raised on the west coast of Tāmaki Makaurau [Auckland], but left Aotearoa New Zealand at 19 years old to serve the rapidly expanding global movement known as Youth With A Mission (YWAM).

    I currently serve as an international ambassador for the YWAM Medical Ships in Papua New Guinea and Melanesia and as a convenor within the wider movement.


    CLIFTON STRENGTHS
    Strategic, Input, Futuristic, Context, Belief


    ROLES
    YWAM International Liaison
    Research and Development

  • A man with glasses and long gray dreadlocks smiling, wearing a blue shirt, indoors with decorative wooden beams and red and white patterned rafters overhead.

    Ray Totorewa

    INTRO

    Ray is a remarkable leader throughout Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond. We are incredibly blessed to have had his support and guidance from the inception of Restoring Connections.

    A true bridge builder, Ray spends time with communities of people across the globe, encouraging indigenous and non-indigenous people alike to take their place and stand true in their true identity.

    ROLES
    Advisor
    Paihere - YWAM New Zealand

Our Certified Mentors are available to support you, your family, or your team.

Our Mentors
A man and a woman working on laptops in a cozy home office, with a framed bird picture on the wall behind them.
A woman standing near a whiteboard giving a presentation to a group of people. The whiteboard has a pie chart with the word 'Communication' written above it. The setting appears to be a casual meeting or class.