Board Member - Chair

Felicity Palmer was born and raised on the unceded land of the Cammeraygal people of the Eora Nation in Sydney, Australia. Before moving to Te Tau Ihu in 2021, she spent twenty years in the United States, where she built extensive experience in the nonprofit and charitable sector. She served as Vice President of Development and Communications for Executive Service Corps of Southern California, overseeing fundraising and external communications, and held board roles with both the Angeles Chorale and the Los Angeles chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Felicity holds a PhD in Comparative Literature from Columbia University and is deeply committed to anti-racism, equity, and fostering welcoming, diverse communities. An immigrant twice over, she appreciates the natural beauty of Nelson Tasman and the warmth of its people. She is excited to bring her energy, professional expertise, and community leadership skills to support the vision and work of Multicultural Nelson Tasman.

Board Member - Deputy Chair

Marie came to Aotearoa New Zealand in 1990 after working with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Since then, she has worked across both the public and private sectors, including with the Department of Internal Affairs, ACC, and Nelson City Council, where she gained extensive governance experience as the Mayor’s PA for 15 years.

In 1992, while at Internal Affairs, Marie organised the very first meeting of the Nelson Multi-Ethnic Council, which has since grown into today’s Multicultural Nelson Tasman. Alongside her professional work, she has consistently dedicated her time to community volunteering. This commitment keeps her grounded in grassroots issues and allows her to build strong relationships with individuals and groups across diverse cultures, ages, and genders.

Marie continues to put her governance training into practice as a Board member of community organisations, including MNT. Her advocacy extends to tangata whenua, former refugees, vulnerable communities, interfaith networks, sustainability initiatives, and volunteer projects.

Board Member – Secretary

Monique was born in South Thailand at the Isthmus of Kra to a Malay-Chinese mother and a Thai father. She came to NZ in the seventies on a Colombo plan scholarship to study in Canterbury University.

She trained as a teacher then pursued careers in nursing and midwifery. For three decades in Sydney and rural Australia, she worked in health and education, gaining experience in diverse communities. Monique holds Master’s degrees in Nursing, Midwifery, Counselling, and Genetics Counselling. She completed a PhD in Psychology in research focusing on familial mutations in breast and ovarian cancer.

In 2017, Monique moved to Nelson after accepting a role as Lecturer in Nursing at NMIT. Her commitment to multicultural communities was shaped earlier as a Lifeline counsellor in Parramatta, Sydney, where she supported people from many cultural backgrounds. Today, she continues that passion through working with Multicultural Nelson Tasman.

Board Member – Treasurer

Bill was born in Sydney, Australia and lived there for 61 years. During that time he was employed as an engineering draughtsman at Otis Elevator Company. After retiring from work he came to live in Nelson, New Zealand and studied a course in Architectural Draughting.

Bill believes in the rights and freedom of all human beings. He is very keen to offer his assistance for the improvement of the living conditions of other people.

Board Member

Mary Bronsteter, born and raised in South Korea, holds a BA in Political Science and East Asian Studies, and a TESL certification. Growing up under a dictatorship, she witnessed corruption and injustice firsthand, inspiring her lifelong commitment to ethical governance, human rights and environmental sustainability. Together with her husband, Jürgen, she deepened her understanding of cultural empathy and social responsibility through sponsoring Tibetan refugees in the United States. In 2004, motivated by strong convictions against war and the misuse of power, her family relocated to New Zealand, a nation renowned for its principled stance on nuclear disarmament. Professionally, Mary has served as Manager and later as a Board Member at Multicultural Nelson Tasman. A lifelong advocate for justice, she is committed to strengthening New Zealand’s bicultural foundation while promoting cultural diversity and harmony. “Unity in Diversity” (Kotahitanga i roto i te kanorau).

Board Member

Tie Jian is a teacher of Middle Eastern and Chinese heritage whose life journey has taken him across many cultures and continents. He has lived in the Middle East, China, South East Asia, Canada, and New Zealand, and has travelled to more than 20 countries worldwide. In each place, he has immersed himself in local communities, building deep relationships and developing a strong understanding of cultural diversity.

Since settling in Aotearoa New Zealand, Tie Jian has been active in his local community, contributing his time and experience to initiatives that promote inclusion and cross-cultural understanding. Recognising his unique background and his ability to connect with people from many walks of life, the Waitaki Multicultural Council encouraged him to join the Multicultural Nelson Tasman team. He is valued for his multicultural perspective, collaborative spirit, and skill in linking people and organisations to work together toward stronger, more cohesive communities.

Board Member

Originally from Yorkshire in the United Kingdom, Carol has lived in Aotearoa New Zealand since 2004. She has a strong background as an English language teacher and youth and community worker, with particular expertise in supporting young people whose first language is not English. Her international career included work with the British Council in Singapore, as well as teaching new migrants and former refugees in the north of England and in South Auckland.

In 2008, Carol became the International Dean at Waimea College, a position she held for 12 years. She was known for her strong advocacy for students and their families, always striving to ensure they felt welcomed and supported. Since retiring, she has continued to serve the community as a volunteer with the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Carol is also a long-standing supporter of Multicultural Nelson Tasman, helping establish the Speak Out programme, supporting the Multicultural Festival, and encouraging the MYNT youth group.

Board Member

Julia is a writer, ASMRtist, biologist, and community development specialist with a passion for people and stories. Born in Ukraine, she lived in Poland before moving to Aotearoa New Zealand in 2014, a place she now proudly calls home. Over the years, Julia has worked extensively in the non-profit sector serving on governance boards, managing community projects, and volunteering to support social inclusion and wellbeing.

Her work reflects a deep belief in connection, creativity, and compassion. Through writing and ASMR, she explores ways to bring calm and comfort to others, while her background in biology gives her a strong appreciation for nature and life in all its diversity. Julia joined Multicultural Nelson Tasman because she wants every migrant to feel valued, supported, and truly at home. She believes Aotearoa is one of the best places in the world for people to find belonging and reach their full potential.

Board Member

Karen Ramirez is originally from Peru and has called Aotearoa New Zealand home since 2010. After first arriving in Auckland, she and her family eventually settled in Nelson, which she now considers the perfect place to build community and opportunities. She believes Nelson offers not only a welcoming environment for newcomers but also a fantastic base for entrepreneurs to grow and thrive.

Karen brings experience from both the nonprofit and private sectors. She has worked with NGOs such as the Red Cross, where she supported the settlement of refugees, helping families adjust to life in their new country. Alongside this, she has developed strong skills in sales and business, giving her a broad perspective across community service and enterprise.

Karen is excited to contribute her skills and experience to the dedicated team at Multicultural Nelson Tasman, supporting their growth and helping to strengthen connections across the region’s diverse communities.

Board Member

Rajai was born in Jordan and grew up between Jordan and Palestine, experiences that shaped his deep appreciation for cultural diversity and resilience. After completing his studies in mechanical engineering, he travelled through several countries before settling in Aotearoa New Zealand, where he has lived with his family for the past 20 years.

Rajai now works as an automotive tutor at the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT), where he shares his technical expertise with the next generation of learners. Alongside his professional role, he continues to live by his belief in the right to freedom and dignity for all people, a principle that guides his community involvement.

He is keen to contribute to the work of Multicultural Nelson Tasman, offering his perspective as a long-term migrant, his professional experience, and his commitment to human rights to help strengthen connections and celebrate diversity across the Nelson Tasman region.

Board Member

Rym traces her ancestry to the Imazighen people, the Indigenous peoples of North Africa. She grew up in the south of France and later spent 12 years in Montréal, Canada, working in the field of social innovation. In 2022, she moved to Aotearoa New Zealand, where her journey of reconnecting with her Indigeneity began to deepen.

Currently, Rym is based in Wai-iti, where she lives with her whānau and is active in the Wakefield community. Alongside her community involvement, she is pursuing a Master’s degree in Indigenous Studies at the University of Auckland, furthering her knowledge and strengthening her commitment to Indigenous perspectives and ways of being.

Rym brings to Multicultural Nelson Tasman a valuable combination of lived experience, academic insight, and grassroots community engagement. She is particularly focused on contributing a decolonial perspective to the organisation’s work, shaped both by her Indigenous heritage and her rural lifestyle in Te Tau Ihu.