Team Introductions

Jonathan Gee
I’m Jonathan aka Jon, Jonny, Jono (whatever you wanna call me!), a 16 year old political nerd from the North Shore of Auckland. As I’ve mentioned, I have a strong interest in politics, as well as international relations/diplomacy - I’m a regular participator in Model United Nations (really, it’s not as nerdy as you may think!). I also have a passion for youth empowerment - I’m a member of the Shore Youth Council, which has exposed me to how talented we can be.

I’m currently in year 12, studying English, History, Economics and Business Studies. At uni I hope to study a Law/Arts conjoint, with Arts majoring in, you guessed it, politics & media/journalism. After uni I’m hoping to work in either politics or media, possibly as a magazine editor or press secretary to a politician. Last but not least, I’m an total Facebook junkie!! Although I am trying to limit my usage… trying… Add me on Facebook

Tom Yan
My name is Tom and I live in (central) Auckland. I grew up in China, and moved here when I was 8. My parents like travelling and so do I. I’ve visited a lot of places in China, but in terms of natural beauty, I have to say, NZ is pretty much unrivaled.

I wanna study abroad for my tertiary education: I just feel that NZ is too detached – not just geographically – from the rest of the world. So hopefully I’ll be heading off to Canada or Australia or maybe the US in about a year or so. Not sure what I want to do though. Music wise, I’m into ballads and R&B type songs mixed with a touch of techno. You know like Jason Derulo, Jay Sean flavoured music.

The team at Capital House

Jenny Eastwood
Hey everyone! My name’s Jenny Eastwood and I live in the small town of Whakatane in the Bay Of Plenty. I don’t enjoy it much, I think it’s a bit too small for my liking. I was born in Hamilton and lived there for 11 years before moving to and living in Tauranga for one year and eventually ended up in Whakatane with my family.

I have plans to study at Massey University doing media and journalism, I love writing and spend the vast majority of my free time either writing stories or articles. I post a lot of my writing to my blog: http://jennylikestorun.com I loveeee music, my favourites are the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Placebo and Radiohead.

Logan Madams
I’m Logan, 17, from Hamilton or ‘the Swamp’ as it’s not-so-affectionately known. I’m quite involved in drama (at the moment I’m rehearsing almost every day for ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ which is so much fun - the dialogue is both brilliant and insane) and politics on a local government level. It’s always nice to network with like-minded people so I’m happy to be part of the Just Write team!

Roya Timmo
My name is Roya and I’m from Hamilton.  I’m currently a year 13 student and once I finish school and uni the plan is to become a journalist.  I’d like to be either some kind of foreign correspondent or a features writer for a fashion magazine.  At the moment my passion for writing is mostly consumed by being the editor of our school yearbook and keeping a blog at http://dreamroyalife.wordpress.com.  I’m also hugely into literature and music - I play the flute and guitar and listen to (to name a few) Lily Allen, Nirvana and the Sex Pistols.  That’s pretty much life in a hundred words or less!

Sarah Fagan
My name is Sarah, and I live on an apple orchard in the sunny Hawke’s Bay. Currently I’m 16 and in Year 12. I am really interested in what happens around the world and can’t wait to travel more and get more involved. I also love music, sport (canoe polo and volleyball mainly) my friends and summer. I’m not entirely sure what I want to studyafter high school yet, but it has to be something international, and I would love to do some of the study overseas.

By a strange giant shoe box in Civic Square, Wellington

Maria Paringatai
My name is Maria or Ma. I am year 12 at He Huarahi Tamariki, a school for teenage parents. I currently live in Paraparaumu, outside of Wellington but I am from the East Coast. I have never been off the north island but I love travelling. I also love music and all genres. I love to sing and write songs. I also love sports like rugby, soccer and basketball. I especially enjoy creative writing.

Eunice Sison
Hi all, I’m Eunice and I live in Wellington, 15 years old, from St Mary’s College. I’ve only been in New Zealand for a little over two years and am originally from the Philippines. I’m into music – listening, playing, creating – and am involved in the school choir. I’ve been playing the piano for about 4 years. Big fan of Pre-Twilight, Paramore and lots and LOTS of Hersheys. I also like numbers because they make sense to me. I play badminton.

I think it’s very important to keep kids kids. Otherwise, everyone’s going to turn all serious and set on trying to make things better for themselves. Where’s the fun in that? We’ll never really succeed unless we find it.

Jamie Bulling
Hey, my name is Jamie and I live in the deep south of New Zealand in Thornbury, so I get really frustrated when you call Dunedin the deep south. I love music, especially Green Day and Bullet for my Valentine, I love reading books, writing my novel, called Born in Flames. A lot of my friends call me Teabags, no idea why myself?!