Our People

Ben Willoughby

Master

Andre Aslund

Crew

Andre has gone from a trainee in 2020 to a volunteer, and now an employee. Andre has the most extraordinary balance and agility; he climbs the rigging with ease and is comfortable aloft sorting sails and trainees. His ability to get up and sort things out is an awesome asset for us! We appreciate his quiet humour, his epic pizzas and his enormous contribution to our organisation.

Jay Thompon-Milne

Master

Jay is a great example of where a life as a captain can take you. He started off as a deckhand in 1995, and has worked his way up whilst travelling the world. He has a broad set of experience skippering for various vessels, including the Spirit of Adventure. Now, he resides in Wellsford with his family, and makes the trip up North for the youth voyages.

Frank Allica

Master

Funding options

If you have secured your funding, please download the full application form

We work hard to get funding assistance to help young people to take part in our youth development voyages and encourage sponsorship for students. We are able to offer a payment plan with weekly or fortnightly payments of as little as $20. We also recommend you contact your nearest Lions Club, Rotary Club or Freemasons in your local community. The Fletcher Building Employee Educational Fund also offers their employees’ dependents funding for voyages (please apply direct). Thanks to the generous support of donations received, business sponsors, community groups such as Lions, Zonta and funding organisations such as Lotteries and Gaming Trusts we also have grants available and are able to reduce the cost of the voyages from $1,450 per child to between $200-$500 and in some instances at no fee, although a koha is expected.

If you wish to apply for a grant or sponsorship from the R. Tucker Thompson, please download the Grant Application form.

Download Form

Tom Macfarlane

Crew

Tom is one of our crew members and our conservation warrior. He’s a multi-talented member of our team and has an impressive background in Outdoor Education, research and Science Communication. With an honours degree in physical education and an impressive knowledge of Tikanga Māori, he has a lot of experience under his belt. His aim is to “keep doing everything possible in the now towards being a good ancestor for those to come in the future”.

Kymbali Dender

Crew

Kymbali is one of our crew members. She moved to the bay recently after finishing a bachelors in Marine Biology. She completed an adult 10-day trainee trip on the Spirit of New Zealand and fell in love with tall ships, this sparked her volunteering time with the Spirit as a watch assistant. She’s also a Girl Guide Leader, and has worked with young kiwi girls aged 9-17 to develop them through outdoor and leadership activities.

Zhané Harvey

Crew

Zhané Harvey is one of our crew members. She loves the outdoors has a background in outdoor education. She moved to the bay for the job and is making the most of her new surroundings, often out kayaking and exploring. Having worked as a whitewater instructor and glacier guide, we know she’s a great addition to take our trainees on new adventures.

Sophie Adams

Youth Manager

Sophie is responsible for liaising with schools and community groups explaining how our youth development voyages help students to make positive changes in their lives. Sophie has a background in business, marketing, management and more recently she has held the role as the Internship Manager and Quality Assurance Coordinator for QRC here in Paihia. She is a member of the Senior Management Team there and we are incredibly lucky to have her bring these skills to our organisation.

Jo Lynch

Chief Executive

Jo Lynch is our Chief Executive. Her background is in the ski industry, youth development through travel, business strategy and marketing. She has held many leadership roles in the outdoors and marketing and she combines a wide range of skills to lead our programme. Jo is of Ngati Wai and Pakeha descent and grew up in Northland. She spent 25 years chasing snow and has returned to Te Tai Tokerau to work with youth and the good people on The Good Ship.

Register Interest youth

PDF form also available here

Sasja Mazurkiewicz

Sales and Marketing Assistant

Sasja (pronounced Sasha) is the Sales and Marketing Assistant and she is our master of imagery, design and socials. She is head of communications and in charge of our newsletters, social media and advertising. Kerikeri born and bred, Sash comes with an eye for design and a wonderful way of dealing with our customers, young people and all of our team. Sasja is also a keen sailor, has her very own tiny home, and speaks a handful of languages. Drop a line to our multitalented Sasja!

Sarianna Crook

Operations Assistant

Sarianna is the Operations Assistant and so much more. Sari worked on the Tucker as a Skipper, was a cadet with the Spirit of NZ and is now a mum to one lovely little boy. Sari handles the operational side of the business and connects our ship and people through smart organisation and well-executed logistics. She is organised, thorough and has it all under control! Sari is the heart of the operation, bringing hands-on maritime experience, a solid work ethic and infectious enthusiasm for our kaupapa to the table. We are lucky to have Sari onboard this waka.

Josh Fitzgerald

Deckhand

Josh is Irish on the outside but he may just be Kiwi on the inside. This inspiring young man brings a spirit of positivity, adventure and fun to our team. His work with youth is underpinned by his work as a sailing instructor and with young people in the outdoors. He has a sensitive nature and is a perfect role model for our rangatahi. At the weekends you will catch Josh surfing, windsurfing or sailing in and around the Bay. Josh makes the most of life and inspires others do to the same.

Rangi Ferris

Bosun

Rangi is a shipwright and rigger and he works with us as our Bosun. He is passionate about square-rig sailing, woodwork, carpentry and steam engines, but mostly about working on traditional vessels. He came to us after spending 6 years at the Maritime Museum in Auckland, where he worked maintaining their fleet of vessels. Rangi’s Mum is from the USA and his Dad is from NZ; he grew up in Port Townsend, home of the Wooden Boat Festival. He is a sailing instructor and has his maritime qualifications. Rangi has his own boat and spends time working on both his boat and ours. We are very lucky to have Rangi in our team taking care of The Good Ship.

Guy Cunningham

Relief Crew

Guy Cunningham tags in to sail on our Youth Voyages from time to time. He has had a career in the Police force and he is a master of working closely with our youth. Guy sails in a local sailing race each Sunday, with a competitive bunch who often podium. Guy has a keen intuition for helping the kids on board our Youth Voyages: he has insight, wisdom and a wealth of experience working in tough situations. He is a straight shooter, a man of few words, but is always on-point. And it’s always handy having a Policeman on board! We are stoked to have Guy sail with us.

Abbey Franklin

First Mate

Abbey originates from the top of the South Island. She comes to us with a degree in Physical Education from Otago University, mentoring and leadership skills, and a wealth of tall ship experience on the Spirit of New Zealand. Working with youth is a common theme woven through Abbey’s travels, work and volunteering roles. She spent 3 months in Nepal, including a month on a mountain conservation project, another month trekking, and the third month in a hospital placement. She also spent 6 weeks on a teaching project in the Sacred Valley in Peru. She loves learning and teaching in equal measure but her special skill is working to develop our rangatahi. Abbey is a gem and she works her magic with our kids.

Eloise Goodison

First Mate

El is Goodison by name, good by nature. This young lady is a sharp operator. She not only knows her way our round our ship; she has spent a bunch of time on superyachts travelling the world. She is deeply connected with the ocean; both in it and on it. A keen surfer, you will find Eloise chasing waves up and down the coast in her backyard of Northland. Eloise is one of our more senior crew and she helps to develop our programme and strengthen our team like a boss. She is working towards her skipper’s ticket and growing her skills as a mariner. El is a sailor and surfer, in equal measure.

Register your interest

Jane Hindle

Executive Trustee

Jane has been involved with the R. Tucker Thompson since 1998, initially as a business mentor to Russell Harris when he owned the ship. When she moved to Russell in 2000, she continued working with him assisting with administrative and business management functions. In 2006, she helped Russell transfer the ship into a Trust, and since then has been the Executive Trustee, a title which really means keeping the ship afloat financially and doing whatever needs doing at the time. She has sailed on board for a number of offshore voyages, in 2002 and 2005 down the West coast of Canada and USA and in 2006 from Rarotonga to Tonga. She’s also been cook on a number of adult sailings but these days considers it a treat if she ever manages to get on board for a sail. She and her husband Geoff got married on board and their son did a youth voyage, so the ship holds a special place in her heart.

School Sailing Request

Suz Te Tai

Trustee

Suz is currently the Pakaiahi (Kaiwhakahaere Matua) of the new and innovative Nga Kaitiaki o te Ahi marae-based programme at Karetu Marae. Prior to this she has worked alongside Pou Herenga Tangata at He Iwi Kotahi Tatou Trust in Moerewa for seven years, initially as a Whanau Ora Navigator.
In 2014 she completed Te Tohu Huanga Maori (PGDipBus Māori Development) at the University of Auckland Business School. She has a wealth of life and work experience across Te Kohanga Reo, Kura Kaupapa Maori, Adult & Community Education, Out of School Care, Moerewa Senior School support and the New Zealand Education Institute.
As a keen outdoors advocate weaving experiences based in, and caring for, the Taiao Suz has been a huge driver in this area for whānau, hapū and community. Suz is a highly respected leader within her hapu, Ngati Manu and at Te Karetu Marae. She is the Chair of the Karetu Maori Committee and a Trustee of Te Mana Moana o Ngati Manu Trust, Te Mana Moana o Ngati Rongo ki Mahurangi Trust and the Ngati Manu Rangatira Trust. She is also the Hikuwai Harawene Tupuna Representative on Te Tāhuhu Nui o Ngāti Manu (PSGE).

Tim Yeates

Trustee

Tim has spent his entire working life within the marine industry. His first working experiences were on motor ships and and as a Deckhand on board the R. Tucker Thompson. From there, Tim was the Operations Manager of Marine Contractors Limited for eight years, based in the Bay of Islands. Tim then spent two years as Construction Manager for Northland Piling and Contracting (based in Opua). This company, which he now co-owns, now trades as Total Marine Services Limited. Tim can attest to his extensive experience in salvage work and construction knowledge.

Mike Simm

Trustee

Mike is an experienced company director/trustee. Chair of Northland Youth Development Trust and former Deputy Chair of Top Energy. Former Executive Director Fullers Bay of Islands, member NZ Tourism Board, member of NZ Conservation Authority, Chair of Enterprise Northland and Destination Northland. He is a Kerikeri resident.

Bronwyn Hunt

Trustee

Bronwyn is of Te Rarawa, Ngapuhi and Te Roroa descent. She is the Area Manager for Bay of Islands, Department of Conservation. Previously she was the Principal Advisor, Strategy & Policy with Te Runanga o Te Rarawa, primarily responsible for Treaty Settlement claims, environmental matters, Iwi and Hapu planning. Community positions include Director with CBEC, and previously on the board of Reconnecting Northland. An avid gardener and keen sailor, Bronwyn is also a proud nana to three grandchildren.

Russell Harris

Trustee

Russell has worn many hats over the years: farmer, crop sprayer, master storyteller, ship and aircraft builder, and along with Tod Thompson, Russell is the original builder, and former owner and Master of the R. Tucker Thompson before transferring the ship into the Trust in 2006. Russell sailed the R. Tucker Thompson around the world and throughout the Pacific. He also sailed the Good Ship to Mururoa with the peace flotilla in 1995.

Kim Borgstrom

Trustee

Kim has more than 70,000 miles of ocean watch keeping experience on sailing ships including Bounty, Soren Larsen and Rainbow Warrior. Involved with the R Tucker Thompson since 1985, he sailed aboard for the circumnavigation in 1987-1988. He skippered the ship to the Pacific Islands in 1993. He now operates his own sailing tourism business based in the Bay of Islands. Kim is a resident of Opua.

Mike Daniel

Chair

Former stockbroker and merchant banker, Mike has held Directorships with Force Corporation Ltd, Northland Health Ltd, Northpower Limited, SKYCITY Leisure Limited, Elders Norstock Limited (Chair), Northland Port Corporation Limited (Chair) and former Chairman of Airwork Holdings Limited. He is Chair of N3 Limited and FMCTV Limited He is a keen surfer and enjoys golf.

Terry Dunn

Relief Master

Terry grew up in Wellington, learning to sail in extreme conditions and spending his formative years in the Sea Scouts rowing around on pitch black nights playing Smugglers and sinking the enemy. He has never lost his love of just “playing around in boats”. He moved to the Bay of Islands in his twenties and purchased the classic gaff cutter Aorere. It was also the start of many years cruising the Bay of Islands, the Northland coast and offshore voyages to the Pacific.
In 1990 he started Great Escape Yacht Charters and Sailing School teaching to provide affordable sailing options in the Bay. Over the years he operated a fleet of 14 yachts, passing on his enthusiasm and love of sailing to Kiwis and international visitors alike.
After he and his wife Cindy sold Great Escape, he joined R Tucker Thompson as a relief skipper and he is a welcome addition for our youth voyages and day sails alike.

Sophie Camplin

Youth Coordinator

Sophie job-shares our youth programmes with Pauline, and looks after the adminstrative side of the youth development voyages. A young mother of two girls, Sophie started her career with the R. Tucker Thompson as Deckhand. She then progressed to Master, where she was responsible for skippering tourism sailings as well as the youth development voyages. She therefore knows the ship and how the Trust operates extremely well. With two young daughters to look after, Sophie now works mostly from home, juggling a number of roles to ensure that berths are filled with the right students on any given voyage.

Ships Schedule

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Sophie Camplin

Terry Dunn

Sophie Adams

Rangi Ferris

Andre Aslund

Abbey Franklin

Eloise Goodison

Josh Fitzgerald

Tom Macfarlane

Zhané Harvey

Ben Willoughby

Sarianna Crook

Kymbali Dender

Frank Allica

Guy Cunningham

Jay Thompson-Milne

Jo Lynch

Sasja Mazurkiewicz

Trustees

Tim Yeates

Suz Te Tai

Russell Harris

Bronwyn Hunt

Mike Simm

Kim Borgstrom

Working for us