James & TJ Bassett

Currently support raising.

James, from Orewa, New Zealand, has had an interest in planes since he was a child. At the age of 17 he went for his first solo flight and then progressed to complete his CPL and Instructor rating at an Aero Club North of Auckland. James heard about MAF as a young teenager and was interested in the way MAF used aviation to bring help and hope to people in an industry that often is self glorifying. Wanting to pursue missions more, he took a faith step and studied for two years at EastWest College of Intercultural studies. There he met TJ who shared the same heart for overseas missions. After getting married in January 2024, they moved to Auckland where James worked as a B-Category flight instructor with a focus on international students.

Tayla-Jay, or otherwise known as TJ, grew up in Manawaru, New Zealand. She recalls being fascinated by the stories of MAF missionaries at her church and reading the MAF newsletter at her grandparents house. TJ trained as a primary school teacher at Waikato University and then pursuing a God-call went to EastWest College of Intercultural Studies where she met James. She has a heart for cross-cultural missions and is inspired by the practical help that MAF provides missionaries and locals. After getting married, she worked as a primary school teacher at KingsWay School in Auckland.

James and TJ have been married now for 2 and a half years, and lived in Orewa, Auckland before 

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.