Maria was born in Wellington, New Zealand, where she attended primary school in Upper Hutt and secondary school in Wellington. She began her hairdressing career at George Janis Hairdressing, where she was honoured as a magazine cover winner by L'Oréal.

Married to Aaron, Maria is blessed with three children. Her lifelong goal is to help everyone she encounters experience the love of Jesus through acts of service and solid teaching. By the age of 23, she had already travelled to 23 countries to share the gospel message. In her spare time, Maria enjoys tending to her garden, and working out at the gym. In addition to her hairdressing career, she has experience in real estate, working in a school office, and dedicating 25 years to youth ministry.

In her current role at Focus on the Family, Maria leverages her strong listening skills to truly understand and meet the diverse needs of families. Her interpersonal skills are crucial, as New Zealand is home to a wide range of family dynamics that require effective communication. As a confident leader, Maria is not afraid to make tough decisions and guide others in the rewarding mission of helping New Zealand families thrive in Christ.

Meet the team

Maria Boddington

Elaina Milnes

Ellie Whittaker

Veronica Rayner

Alana Patching