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I grew up in Lower hut until the age of about 10. Uh, and then my mom decided she was gay and wanted to live the night life. So we moved to Wellington, and I've been there ever since. And you've lived a little bit in Australia, too? Yeah, I've lived in Australia off and on over the years. Just when I get bored, I'm a a bit of a gypsy, so I like to move around and keep things interesting. Uh, I kind of live out of a bag. So even when I'm in New Zealand, I [00:00:30] change location every couple of months. Where did you go to school? In Wellington. Uh, I went to Clyde Quay for intermediate and part of primary school. And then, uh, I went to Wellington east for a year, which definitely didn't suit me. So moved to high. And, um yeah, definitely enjoyed that. So what was the difference for you between, um, Wellington east and high? Well, after coming out of, um, [00:01:00] which is such an open and diverse school into a quite a, you know, strict school as Easters with girls and their attitude. I just didn't enjoy it. It wasn't me. It wasn't where I needed to be, and it held me back. So yeah, Wellington High is more open and more like minded people, I suppose. And everyone was kind of on the same level is where I was at. And as [00:01:30] a, uh, you were involved in the butch and Butch photo exhibition. Um, did you identify as a child or were you seen as a tomboy or anything like that As a kid? As a kid, I was definitely a tomboy. Um, ever since the age of two, my mom knew I was where I was going to end up. Uh, I just Yeah, I used to, um I mean, my mom let me wear boys clothes, and I mean right down to undies. Even [00:02:00] as a kid, I wanted boys undies, boy shorts, boys, shoes, boys, socks, no frilly things. Um, but my dad didn't really let me, so it used to upset me quite a lot. Not having a say in in my clothing and even even as young as five. I can remember feeling upset and and, uh, just not right when I was in girl's clothes. Yeah, I suppose so. I. I definitely have always been a tomboy. I mean, I suppose [00:02:30] when you get older, it just gets labelled as Butch. You stop being a tomboy when you start being an adult. I think Was that part of the reason you didn't like Wellington East so much? Yeah. Yeah, days were interesting. I I got, um, abused by a few teachers for, you know, entering a girls school. Um, um they didn't recognise him. No, no, they thought I was a boy, so Yeah, I got [00:03:00] verbally abused by a few teachers and questioned, um, and the girls. They just that they didn't feel comfortable with it. And and, you know, it just wasn't a nice situation. I don't think so. Going to high? That meant for you. You could wear what you wanted. Yeah. Yeah, definitely. I could. Yeah. I. I wore skate shoes. Dickie shorts. You know, t-shirts and skate hats every day. And no one ever questioned it. No one ever bullied [00:03:30] me. No one ever thought twice. It was just the norm. You know, everyone. Everyone was comfortable. What? They what they were wearing, You know, um, and I and I didn't hang out with a specific group that meant that I had to wear their kind of clothing. You know, I was even a gypsy back then. So every day was different. It was hanging out with the girly girls or the jocks or the nerds, you know, as you you'd confine them to those groups, you know, society does stereotypes, but so it was cool. We we all just wore what we wanted to wear and hung out with whoever [00:04:00] we wanted to hang out with. And every group had had the different characters and, yeah, it was a lot more open and accepting. Yeah, And did that mean that you, um well, obviously you had a better time at school. But did it mean that you could be more relaxed about your studies or what you got involved with? Yeah, definitely. So I I when I went to East, I played bowls because it was the only sport no one else was doing. Um, and I love it. Anyway, it's a great sport, but, um, is that outdoor [00:04:30] bowls? Outdoor boss, Lawn bowls? Yeah. The old guys loved me down there at the, uh, yeah, bowling club, but no, at high. I got I got more into all my sports, like rugby and basketball, because, you know, it was I was more accepted, so yeah. Yeah, definitely. And And at East, I kind of avoided changing rooms as well, you know, because, um, I was just uncomfortable. Really. It wasn't nice. [00:05:00] Were you out, then? Well, see. No, that's the thing. Like, everyone knew I was gay. I knew I was gay, but I never said it. It it was never a said thing. It was more of just a I know I was happy with myself. So everyone was happy with me and and it wasn't talked about. Hm. And, um, do you have brothers and sisters or do I have three half brothers? So, uh, my mom doesn't have any other kids, but my dad has three [00:05:30] half brothers who are the oldest is six years younger than me. The second one is nine years younger, and the next one is 11 years younger. So they they're quite young, but yeah. How old are you? 24. This year. So I'm 23. So the next one is 17, 14 and 12. And did you grow up a bit with them in the same household or no. So they were my dad and my stepmom. Um, I went [00:06:00] there What used to be every second weekend, I'd be at theirs. And then every other weekend, I was at my Nana's, um, so my mom could party, party the night away. Um, which was great. You know, it's cool. Going to see family and it, um, but yeah. So I grew up with my mom and then, yeah. So every second weekend, I was with my dad and my brothers. They I mean, they loved me. I was the older sister, and I was cool. And, you know, I was a skater and, yeah, so they weren't phased by with me, and and my cousins used to call me a boy. [00:06:30] You know, every time I saw them, which was, you know, every couple of months, it wasn't like we went years without seeing each other. They just thought I was a boy and and it was a bit different. And that's how they treated you as a boy. And did Did that bother you at all? No. No, I used to laugh. I just used to laugh. I used to get it everywhere. everywhere I went. So my own family doing it didn't didn't surprise me. So you talk before that? Um, once you moved to high, you weren't. There was no bullying had there [00:07:00] been bullying, um, for you earlier. Yeah, but I'm not the kind of person to take notice. My friends notice when I get bullied, but because, you know, I don't really take notice of negative things around me at all. So I just brush it off and and it it goes in one ear and out the other. And and I go on with my merry way, so I never noticed it, but, um, yeah, there was bullying. Yeah, um, but I just just left them to it. And [00:07:30] I used to hang out at the, um what was called the snow unit quite a bit with the special needs kids and have lunch with them. And, you know, just put yourself in positive situations instead of dealing with girls and their judgement. And you you just find a better way to go about your day. Yeah. So when you, um when you left school What? What did you do? I. I built I was a builder. That my whole way through school. So from 14 [00:08:00] onwards, I, I used to skip class and and build houses down the road. Um, at 16, I built a a recording studio across the road from Wellington High Who was employing you? My dad. Yeah. So? So, Dad, Dad was OK with me not going to school if I was working. So yeah, um, I passed. I passed every test. You know, I wasn't I wasn't behind I. I got Yeah, CS get degrees. So my teachers let me [00:08:30] know when I had to be there for a test or, um, anything like that and and would work. Obviously, I'd turn up one day a month and get everything done. So yeah, it was I knew where I wanted to be, and and at that stage, I wanted to join the army. So, um, I I passed everything I needed to pass, which which got me into the army. And then I And then I excelled and I got level two as well. So yeah, I was pretty happy with that. So you got into the army? How long were you in the army for? [00:09:00] Ah, well, II, I Yeah, I didn't actually go in, so I passed and I passed. Um, the men's 100 fitness club, which is I don't know if any other girl had passed it before. It was Yeah, I did. I did, um, exceptionally well at the fitness and the test for it and for orientation day. I didn't go because my girlfriend at the time said that if I joined [00:09:30] the army and had three months basic training, she wouldn't be there when I got out. So, yeah. So that's something that I probably should have done, but, oh, well, but you didn't because of your girlfriend saying that. Yeah. Have you ever regretted that? Uh, yes and no. But, you know, it gave me other opportunities. And, you know, II, I took other career paths that I wouldn't have chosen. So yeah, it was different. So what? What? Um, did you end up doing [00:10:00] security? A lot of security. Um, which got me quite far. I did it for about four years, so I went from, um, Armour guard to The Hobbit. I was a night security supervisor on The Hobbit, so that was pretty intense. 100 and five hours a week I don't know if it's legal or not, but yeah, that was a test. Um, and working with idea services as well. So IHC so that was That was amazing. Actually, that was more tiring than any building job I'd ever [00:10:30] done That was mentally draining, but amazing. How long were you with the IHC? About a year. A year? Yeah, when I was about 18. As a support worker. Yeah, as a support worker in House Respite And, um, yeah, programmes and stuff. And, um, what did you enjoy about that? Uh, just just the appreciation. You know, these kids don't have anything, really, like they they some of them struggle to breathe every [00:11:00] breath, and they're just so happy all the time. You know, they can't feed themselves. They can't wipe themselves, but yet they're the happiest people you'll ever meet. You know, they Yeah. And what drew you to that work? Um, well, I'd always done it at school. I'd always done it at school. I mean, I'd skip if I was at school. Even at Wellington High, I'd skip classes to take them to class, you know, they they'd not go to class and Zoe took them, you know? So I've always done [00:11:30] it, and I It had always been on my mind to do it. So, I, I guess I just I needed a job and I walked in one day and yeah, the ladies loved me and gave me a job. So and what else have you been doing? I think I'm a gypsy in the career department. Just as much as the houses I've done. I've done lots. Um, when I lived in Australia, I got my forklift ticket and my warehouse C three. So I did a bit of that. Um, I've done a bit of, like, concerts [00:12:00] and things like that. I enjoy doing work behind the bars. I know. Lots of stuff. Lots of different things. Yeah, but mostly mostly building. Are you building now? Doing labouring now or building? Yeah. So I'm unqualified, but I Yeah, I'm a builder. And, um, when we came to take the photo of you for this project, you were, um you were on site DNA. Um, can you describe what [00:12:30] you were wearing that day? Uh, my belt. Yeah. So about, um, t-shirt, uh, steel cap boots and my cargo pants. That outfit changes between stubby and cargo pants, depending on the weather. That's about all that changes. And you've got some great tattoos. Can you tell us a bit about those? Um, yeah, there's a few my mother's probably not [00:13:00] happy about. Um uh, Well, I just My latest one is a burger on my left elbow. Um, burgers on on Cuba Street. The best burgers in my life. I had I had them once. Enjoyed them so much that I got their logo on my elbow. You got a walking advert for them? Do they know that they do. They give me free burgers or or cheap burgers sometimes. So that's good. Uh, the other one would probably be my dog's name. That's that's I like [00:13:30] it. It means a lot to me, but, um, a lot of Bailey So and then my, um my lovely dinosaur on my right leg that I did myself after. Well, let's just say close to a bottle of gin. So that's always a good one. You did it yourself. What were you using? A tattoo gun? Tattoo machine. Sorry. Yeah, upside down. [00:14:00] Who who belonged to the tattoo machine? That's not yours. No, I do have a machine. But no, that wasn't mine. That was a friend who was tattooing another friend at a house. And I got a bit intoxicated and asked if I could cross cross something off the bucket list. It was on the bucket list. It was It was completely legit. Um, yeah, yeah, she she liked it so much that I actually she actually asked me to do it on her leg after. So I mean, it's on and it just is roar as well, So [00:14:30] yeah, yeah, it's a T rex because it's got little arms. But mum says it looks like a beaver. It it's like a cross between a T rex and a beaver. Um, what else is on the bucket list? Oh, God, it's a novel. It's an absolute novel. There's probably about 300 things on it festivals all of the festivals you could think of. Um, the seventh one is the world. Obviously. Travel [00:15:00] Asia on a motorbike. Um, pet a tiger swim with sharks. I've done that, actually. Um, lots of things skydive every everything you could ever imagine that would be on a bucket list is on my bucket list and then also things like, um, pay for the person behind me and, uh, do kind deeds and things like that. So, like the pay it forward type thing? Yeah. Pay it forward. Yeah, which II? I do as much as I can, but, [00:15:30] yeah, I just chuck it in my bucket list as a friendly reminder to do it more. Have you got anything on your bucket list coming up soon? Um, snowboarding. I've been crossing that off. I took that up, Um, after Caroline. So I took that up and then, Yeah, I've been doing that, um, wakeboarding. I'll probably cross that off soon. And skydiving. So I'm moving to Christchurch, so I'll definitely be skydiving [00:16:00] over, um, and that. Awesome. So just because people won't know when you referred to Caroline, can you just briefly say what you mean there, Uh, Caroline was, um what I would consider one of my aunties. So growing up, Mum had all of her, Um, you know, the gay community in Wellington, and because I was so young, everyone was a big influence in me, and I consider them all aunties. Um, you know, like Nick and and Caroline and Mickey. And Debs and, you know, pricey [00:16:30] and Jodie. The list goes on. And, uh, Caroline was a big influence. She used to take me surfing, and she was always just so positive and so happy. And And I didn't get to spend much time with her. Um, a little bit of vinegar hill. And if I popped into her house and that, but not a lot of time, I. I regret that. But, um, yeah, she she died, um, last year, the year before 2013, I think on Mount looking for a board and And I'd always wanted to snowboard, but [00:17:00] I don't know. I think the fear kind of got to me. But after that, I just thought bugger it, I'll just do it for her. And she'd be happy she'd be stoked that I was doing it. So yeah, I'm nervous every time I'm up there. Oh, every time. Every chair lift. I'm just scared. But it's scared. It's good fun. So it sounds like you're kind of into extreme sports in a way. Or is that right or No, I'm just stupid. No, no, I, I actually [00:17:30] know. No, I just like to If I'm scared of something. I like to do it. Yeah. So if I'm scared of spiders, I'll try and pick one up. Or if I'm scared of snowboarding, I'll do it because you shouldn't let things stop you. And you should at least try every Oh, I mean, I say that, but there's some things that's not I'm not gonna try, But you should try everything once you know especially things that you're scared of, like heights and things. So that's about the challenge. It's about [00:18:00] pushing yourself and and and because when you do it, it's It's better than any feeling in the world, you know, like you just become Oh, it's like a drug. You know? I didn't think I could do that. You know, I didn't think I could jump off that ledge or, you know, like I did bungee jumping and I. I stood up there for 30 minutes, convincing myself that I couldn't do it. And then I did it and I just wanted to keep doing it, you know? So I love that feeling. Not the not the adrenaline. Now I'm not an adrenaline junkie. [00:18:30] I'm just stupid. How much do you see your mom? Uh, not as much as she'd like. Yeah, uh, we have a We have a good friendship, I suppose. But yeah. I. I don't know. I don't see her too much. Uh, she doesn't like that, but yeah, she's in Australia. Right? So she's in Brisbane, So I stayed with her a little bit while I was over there between moving back. Um, yeah. So I quit my job and [00:19:00] stayed with her for a couple of weeks and then flew back. So she does get to see me, but yeah, probably not as much as she'd like. Yeah, she voices that quite a bit. Do you, um do you socialise much in the queer communities? Uh, well, everyone knows who I am, but I, I don't know most. Most of the people that I hang out with aren't queer. No, but, um, in saying that, you know, I do go along to events that mean something and, you know, try [00:19:30] and show my support and that, uh and I was the bouncer of IV. So I got to know a lot of people and and I'm I'm fortunate enough to know because of mum and because of like me being out so young. I know every age group of of, um, you know, the queer community right through. And I'm talking from, like, 17, right up to 60. I know all of those groups because they're kind of grouped off in, like, five year sections, [00:20:00] you know, or 10 year section. So the people you you hang around with now are they old school friends or who are they? So you know, just like my locations and my friends, I jump around. So I know like, uh, I hang around with all the mum's old mates. Um, I like to hang out with them. So, like Rihanna and pricey. And then then as well as, like, Mickey and Debs. And that, um I also like my mates. Some of them are from [00:20:30] school. Some of them are from, um the queer community as well. Yeah, I suppose. Yeah, I suppose. Actually, I know everyone. I get so bored. I like variety. I don't like one thing. Yeah, so, you know, everyone's got different views on things, and I like that. I like to be challenged, and I like to learn new things, and I feel like if you just have one group of friends. You just talk about the same things every week. It drives me podcast. Yeah, so, yeah, I hang out with lots of people. When we took your photo, there [00:21:00] was you were hanging out with one of your old mates? Yeah. Sam is a good bloke. He's a He's a cutie. Yeah, me and him have pirate life. So we go kayaking on the water and take blow out onto the water and things like that. That's why you couldn't make it to the opening of the exhibition. Because when you were out on the harbour, Yes. What a blow up he made for a pool. I was, like, literally in the middle of the harbour. And it took us hours to get there on a blow up. Dingy. That's, [00:21:30] like $20 from the warehouse. And we had to take a pump because it kept deflating and we had no life jackets. I don't know what we were thinking. And, um and I realised what day it was and where I was meant to be. And I tried to get a hold of you, and I was Oh, yeah, yeah, I missed the exhibition. because I was in the middle of the harbour on a blow up. Dingy. Yeah. You see a photo and we all looked at it and went That looks so fucking dangerous. He should be here on land at the exhibition right now. [00:22:00] Yeah. I also sent photos to my mother, too. She wasn't impressed either. Yeah. So, um, are you in a relationship at the moment? I am. Well, I'm seeing someone. Yeah? Yeah, apparently, I don't know. Yes. I don't know. I go with the flow. I do. How long have you been seeing her? Yeah, two months. Two months? Yeah. So just getting to know [00:22:30] each other, Which is cool. Yeah, she's very cool. Yeah. And what do you look for in a woman? Uh, they have to be easy going like me. Uh, otherwise, I would just stress them out. Um, fun. They have to be fun and and just ready to up and do something, you know, because I I don't plan things, you know, like, uh, like ending up in Russia. That just happened. I don't plan things. They just happen. [00:23:00] So if I If I get a girl who likes to plan things and, you know, work it all out over months. And actually, now that I'm saying that, I think she does. But that's OK. Um, yeah, yeah, they have to just be spontaneous and and and and down for a good time, you know, and and adventurous and want to jump out of the plane. Or what was that about ending up in Russia? So 2013, I, [00:23:30] my dad took up sumo wrestling and told me that I had to do it. So I went along and I actually enjoyed it for about a month. And then it kind of just happened that I was I got a ticket to Russia in October. So in in in April, I took up wrestling. And then in October, I was in Russia at the World Combat World Combat Games represent Oceana for sumo [00:24:00] wrestling. So, uh, that was pretty cool. So that's that's a bit of how spontaneous I can be. And my mom didn't know I was doing it, and I called her up and I didn't have the money at the time for the for the visa. I needed $75 for the visa and so I called her up. And I said, Well, I'll go to Russia in a couple of weeks. I need $75 for a visa. And she's like, What for? She didn't know. She had no idea. No one did. How did how did you go? Oh, I got my my butt handed to me. Yeah, the Russians [00:24:30] really know how to sumo. I was the lightest in my weight as well, so that didn't help. And I put on heaps of weight for it, too. So what sort of weight were you and what what sort of weight would you've been up against? So the weight divisions go 65 and under 65 to 85 and then 85 plus. And when I started, I was sitting on 90. Um, and I put on over those months, I got up to 1 30 so I really packed it on. Um, you know, people were asking me what's your training? And I was just [00:25:00] eating. I just needed to eat. And I was still the lightest. Yeah, 1 20 something. So, yeah, I just Yeah, and and I was up against girls who were 100 and 60 plus so and and with technique and strength. And they weren't lazy girls. You know, they weren't just big girls. They were strong and and scary really scary. And And when you when you finished that, um, competition did you carry on or No, I've been meaning [00:25:30] to like it, you know I can. You know I can. And I've been meaning to. But now I've been moving around too much. I have missed a few opportunities. I missed an opportunity to go to Colombia, which was I was a bit disappointed, but they they're always there. They'll always come around, you know? So what other sort of sports would you get into? Everything I've played? Everything. I enjoy everything. Cricket, rugby, bowls. I actually love bowls. Do you have all the whites? Do you have to wear all the whites for bowls? No. No, [00:26:00] I don't. No, I should, though. That'd be fun. I thought you did. I thought it was part of the rule. Who knows? No, I just wore a team shirt. Yeah, over in O. I did it over in a quite a bit. They they love it over there. They just drink and play bowls. All day. All ages, too. So I wasn't the only young kid, so Yeah, it was good. No, no, they're all colourful. Yeah. Yeah. I think if you compete, you have to, but yeah, I wasn't I wasn't that serious. My cousin plays for New Zealand. So what did you wear with for sumo? [00:26:30] Um, I wore so I wore the nappy thing. It's called a Yeah. So I had to wear that, um, And then I wore bike shorts and a single underneath. So I was covered. Yeah. Sounds gorgeous. Yeah, really sexual or sexy even. Yeah, but I was a bit worried, actually. Going to Russia, Um, a few years ago, I think it was 2010. I, um, had a heart heartbreak. And I got a tattoo [00:27:00] at the time, um, stars on my shoulders, which at the time, um, the internet told me not to get, and they're really dangerous. And I was advised of it, uh, because they're Russian mafia tattoos. But I thought to myself, and I said to this to my friend at the time, I'm never going to go to Russia. And if I go to Russia, why would I ever take my top off. And then there's me the other year in Russia with my top off in a single wrestling. And the moment [00:27:30] I I kid you. Not the moment I took off my top, my t-shirt and just had a singlet. The whole audience gasped. They're Russian mafia tattoos. It's really big. No, no, But nothing came of it other than they just squashed you. Anyway, they laughed at me. Um, this lady stopped me afterwards and was like you you look so big and tough. But you're so scared. Yeah, it was really embarrassing, but it was funny. Yeah, it was really funny. No, nothing happened. I got in trouble a few times [00:28:00] in Russia, though I thought I'd get in trouble more for being gay because of the whole, you know, they're quite conservative and that, but no, I got in trouble for wearing Jandal and a T shirt in the snow. I had pants on. It was really hot. Who Who Who told you off Just random ladies in the street. And like, abused me in the street for wearing jandal and a t-shirt? Yeah, in Saint Peter in Saint Petersburg? Yeah, it was snowing and that. But it was really hot because we were walking around. If I stood still, I got really cold. But they [00:28:30] were probably just a bit worried about you. I didn't know what they were saying, but it sounded aggressive. I know you don't like to plan, but what have you got coming up next few months? Next few months, I'm going to Christchurch. Um, going to save up some money, go snowboarding. Um, see, my godson, who was just born down in Queenstown and, yeah, cause havoc in Christchurch, I think, [00:29:00] and then save up. I really want to do my two year OE in Europe, so I'll save for that. And on the way to that, I want to spend six months travelling to Asia on a motorbike. So? So the next couple of months are all about saving and planning, which is not not what I like to do, but we'll see how it goes. I've told, um, I've I've told the girl I'm seeing to, uh, take my credit card or take my cards and give me an allowance. So hopefully that works.
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