Ambassadors | Rainbow Games 2024

Our ambassadors

Our Games ambassadors are committed to upholding the values and spreading awareness of the Rainbow Games Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland 2024. Find out more in their bios below.

Honey Hireme-Smiler

Rugby Union, Rugby League and Rugby 7s,

Honey is one of New Zealand’s most talented cross-code female athletes, representing her nation in Rugby Union, Rugby League and Rugby 7s, over the course of 18 years. She was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to the game in 2020. Since retiring in 2020, she continues to advocate for sport through various ambassador roles, while working as a Disability Sport Advisor for the Halberg foundation and commentating for Sky Sport. Family is very important to Honey. Alongside her wife, they have three teenage sons and one granddaughter.

Campbell Johnstone

Rugby Union

Campbell made history when he became the first All Black to publicly come out as gay. His career includes representing the All Black in three Tests in 2005 and winning 3 super titles with The Crusaders. In 2008, he took his skills overseas and played in France, Wales, Russia and Romania, before returning home. Campbell is passionate about helping others in sport to achieve their goals, with the underlying message that your goals are not determined by your sexuality, race or religion.

Kate Weatherly

Mountain Biking

Kate was 17 she first came out as transgender and has been navigating her way in the sporting world ever since. In 2018, she became the Aotearoa Downhill Mountain Biking national champion after years of racing in the men’s field while undergoing a medical transition without public knowledge. The subsequent media attention empowered Kate to focus on being open and honest about her identity with the aim towards creating a sporting world that is more inclusive, diverse and not limited to one kind of person.

Hugo Chou

Badminton

Hugo was the Leader of LGBTQI+ group at Westlake Boys Highschool and initiated the school’s attendance to the Lil’ Gay Out 2022, where Hugo took the courageous step to publicly come out. He has been a member of New Zealand’s national Under-19 badminton squad since 2020, finishing runner up in the 2022 Junior National Championships and ranked in the Top 10 for singles and doubles. This year, he started studying Biomedical Science at UOA and is excited to spread awareness for these all-important Games.

Jaiyah Saelua

Football

Jaiyah Tauasuesimeamativa Saelua is a footballer who plays as a center back for the American Samoa national team. Saelua is a fa’afafine, a third gender present in Polynesian society, and is the first openly non-binary and trans woman to compete in a FIFA World Cup qualifier. She has competed in the Pacific Games, FIFA World Cup qualifiers and is a FIFA ambassador for equality and LGBTQI+ athletes.

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