BBNZ Employees

About BBNZ > Staff

Phil Hathaway - National Director

My name is Phil Hathaway, and I am very excited to be taking up the role of National Director. Although I am aware I have huge shoes to fill, I am looking forward to all that lies ahead. I have a vision and a passion to see this organization expand and grow, as more boys join up and grow in confidence and faith. It is a privilege to see God’s Kingdom come, and His will done in the lives of these boys.

I live in west Auckland, and have been a ‘Westie’ all my life (sold the Holden a long time ago, though!). I was brought up in a Christian home, (a ‘PK’ (Pastor’s Kid)), have been blessed to have a rich heritage of faith.

I have been married to Victoria for 17 years, and we have three awesome sons.

I became involved with ICONZ when my two oldest sons joined the local group. I was impressed with what it had to offer boys, and was quick to take up a leadership role. I am currently running the group at Northwest Baptist Church.

I’m a practical person, having run my own construction company for over 15 years. I love the outdoors, and enjoy a wide range of interests, including fishing, surfing, tennis, camping, and rugby. I also love music, and am not too bad on the drums!

I have a heart for mission and have travelled several times to Kolkata, India. I believe the more we look out and understand poverty in a global aspect, the more we can appreciate what we have in our country and in turn focus on the needs of people in our local communities.

I look forward to meeting you all, and enjoying this great adventure together.

Murray Donovan - Executive Officer

A born and bred Aucklander and walking with the Lord since 1959. Married to Marilyn , we have 2 married children, one of whom has 3 little treasures.

I joined Lifeboys as a 9 year old, and progressed through to become a Corporal in the Company Section of the 8th Auckland.

I have worked mostly in sales administration / stock control / warehousing positions related to electrical and electronic components and lighting products. Since 1976 I have been involved in the administration of my Church (Glenfield Baptist) as Deacon, Church Secretary, Church Treasurer. I am currently part of a volunteer chaplaincy team regularly visiting inmates in Auckland Prison.

Interests are gardening, grand-parenting, amateur photography.

Stu Thompson - ICONZ New Zealand Project Director

Stu has over 24 years experience in a wide range of children's ministries including holiday & after school care, camping, Bible in Schools & Sunday School teaching is well qualified for the job of writing programmes suited for boys. One of four brothers raised in a rural Manawatu family. Brought up in the Baptist Church, Stu has fellowshipped at New Life Churches in addition to St Peters in Tauranga.

Stu Graduated from Bethlehem Institute of Education in 2002 with a Diploma of Children's ministries, he is a Qualified Carpenter, he's worked in Sales & Marketing & in addition to his ICONZ New Zealand role, he works as a supervisor at a local primary school's after school & holiday care & recreation programme. He's a self-employed swim teacher & entertainer where he gets the laughs as Skyte the Clown (among other characters), for adults & children with gigs up & down the country. Stu & his wife Karen, married since 1984, have three sons & two daughters aged between 16 & their youngest born at the beginning of 2004 who, Stu says, brings much joy to the family.

Al Ronberg - North Island Development Manager

Hi there... I am Al Ronberg and I am the North Island Development Manager for Boys' Brigade and ICONZ. I love traveling around and meeting with our volunteers across the country and find the challenges and triumphs of my role incredibly exciting.

I am married to Christine and we have a gorgeous daughter that has me wrapped around her little finger. In New Zealand I have worked as a Youth Pastor with 2 large churches, as well as having worked as a Youth Ministry Consultant and Chaplain in the UK. I look forward to bringing some of the experiences and knowledge from this to my role. Outside of work I love to play Golf, Soccer, Cricket and a whole bunch of other sports. I am seldom seen without a camera too far away from me, and I love to travel. Christine and I have climbed Mt Kinabalu in Borneo and love to go tramping and hang out at the beach. I also like to sing and play my guitar and love entertaining people with a bit of music every now and then...

I am a very passionate person when it comes to reaching out to young people so I am VERY excited about what lies ahead of us here at the Boys' Brigade and ICONZ!!! I look forward to chatting to you soon!

Al

Mike Robb - South Island Development Manager

I was born in Rangiora, Nth Canterbury, in 1957. I was a member of Life Boys for a number of years, and became a Christian at 20 years of age. I married at 23 to the retired Anglican Bishop’s daughter in Christchurch (1980), then went to the mission field in Papua New Guinea 1981 and continued there until 1993.

On my return, I served as a Pastor with the Apostolic Churches of NZ for 10 years (1994-2004), and then served Director of Asian Outreach in Cambodia, 2004-2006. Following a return to Christchurch in 2006, I completed a Bachelor of Ministries degree at the Bible College of New Zealand (now Laidlaw College).

I have always loved hunting, fishing, camping, building, mechanics etc. - all the things boys (and those boys who pretend to be men) used to do, and should still be doing. Since in my early 20's I have always had a love and passion for seeing and helping youth/young men develop into strong responsible Christian leaders in their own right. I see Boys' Brigade/ICONZ as a good fit and a further natural outworking of this driving passion.

I consider that I am an effective communicator (both one on one and publicly), and I have been told I have a good sense of humour, (even if slightly warped).

Harley Ware - Southland Development Manager

My name is Harley Ware and I have been married to my wife Beks for just over four years. We have one beautiful 21 month old girl called Brianah, who keeps us on our toes and we are expecting our second child. Although born in New Plymouth, I shifted to Gore when I was about six and I am now proud to call myself a Southlandererrrrrr!!!!!

Previous to the role of Southland Development Manager I had been involved in Community Development work and I also served as a Youth Pastor at a local Baptist Church for about three years.

I enjoy waterskiing, snowboarding, playing rugby and pretty much the whole outdoors.

I am very excited about what God is doing in the lives of many men and young men in New Zealand. I believe that if we can empower passionate men to reach a younger generation for God this nation will be hugely impacted. I consider my role to be a privilege and where else can you get paid to hunt stuff, make stuff, burn stuff and blow stuff up.