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Is celebrating its 20th, uh, years of existence really in the LGBTI and community here in Wellington. So here we are, in Wellington at the Thistle Hall. Um, and we're getting together to acknowledge 20 years celebrate, tell a few stories, show a few, um, pictures show a few artefacts that have been collected, uh, along our journey. [00:00:30] Um, And as I say, it's really a celebration and a and an acknowledgement that here we are, 20 years later, still going quite strong. And, um and it's something we should be really proud of. How did begin? Well, um, Doctor Elizabeth as she is now, um, was the, uh, person who who was the leader really behind forming and its initial, [00:01:00] uh, gathering as a group of Maori, Uh, and also those in the queer community who had got together and were going as part of the team Wellington to the Gay Games in 2002. So in 2001, uh, when, uh, Elizabeth got the group together, uh, and started floating that idea that we should have a a particular show our identity within the wider identity of the LGBTI Q community of [00:01:30] Wellington. Um And that's how really it started. Uh, that genesis gave a focus. Uh, and then after that, we kept on using that focus around, uh, having a an identity and a place and a space, uh, in Wellington City, but also, um, to highlight what could have been or what could be an option for other in centres around the country. [00:02:00] So we were trying to show a model, uh, of what could happen. And I think it's a fairly sustainable model, as I as I say, we're celebrating 20 years. Yeah. How many people were involved at the start? So the the initial group that was practising was actually a huge group, something like about 30 to 40 people. Um, we used to meet at the community centre, um, on Sundays and [00:02:30] practise for a couple of hours. And it was during those practises that you start to work out. Now, what is it that we can do culturally? Uh, well, how do we fit in in terms of, uh, identity or pan tribal identity? Uh, what are the appropriate for us to be singing and all those sort of questions, um, started to come, uh, as we were practising together. And so it also started to highlight to us that [00:03:00] perhaps we should think about creating our own our own, uh, celebrating our stories in our own particular way So that we are didn't have to so much worry about any any, uh, clashes with other identities, whether it's Maori or whether it's, uh, LGBTI. Yeah, so that that was that was how it started. Those were the groups of people that came together, but underneath it all was effectively [00:03:30] Elizabeth assisted by, um, two other, uh, woman who came along to to actually, uh, teach. And that was Dale Ferris, who was one of the early members of as well. And, um is the name of the other. And I was there, um, in a supporting role you mentioned, um, place and, um, having lived here for [00:04:00] all all my life. Now, um, to for the last 20 years has been a cornerstone for so many events and organisations. Where do you see the place of in Wellington's Rainbow Communities? Well, um, goals are are threefold. Basically, one of them is to tell our own stories. The other is actually to build community. So when we talk about building community. We're talking about it in the most [00:04:30] inclusive sense that we can think of. So that's in terms of, uh, creating community within the LGBTI Q community. Uh, creating community with Maori community. Uh, so we see ourselves as, uh, at that particular intersection. Um and so we're wanting to encourage, um that those relationships, uh, inform those relationships in all those different directions because we believe that's, uh, [00:05:00] that represents who we are. Uh, and it represents the ideals that we we want to see, um, for, uh, our community, but also as that's I think, what we believe in as well. So, uh, that's why we made it. It was a strategic decision so that when we talk about building community, we're going to go out there and form those relationships with all the other organisations that we can, whether it's [00:05:30] with youth groups or whether it's with uh, older established groups. Uh, didn't matter what um, part of the rainbow community you came from, uh, we saw it as our job to help support each and every one of those, uh, organisations and also promote, uh, Maori through those relationships as a cornerstone for them, uh, is, uh, as a community group from New Zealand. So that's, you know, maybe that was a bit [00:06:00] of a underhanded way. Perhaps, but I don't think it's meant like that. It's just what we saw as the New Zealand Society Society was a combination of both. And so we wanted to make sure that the Maori do was there within our community, Uh, as well. Um, so my name is and, um I'm of, um, descent, and I am very pleased to be doing this interview [00:06:30] for you. Um, OK, so for I had heard about, but they were practising down at the library and, uh, we just moved into our new office, which is on Willow Street, the new NZ PC. And one day I saw Kevin. I saw Kevin and I said to him, Are you the leader of and he And he said, Yes, I am. And I'm like, you know, I've always wanted to join a Kapa Haka group. Where [00:07:00] are you practising? And he said down at the library. And I said, You know, we've got a new space. I said, What I could do is I could, you know, ask my boss if you could use our premises. I said and I can sit there and wait till you finish, and then I can look up after. But really, I really that was really my push to to to to really, um, join. So So So after a couple of weeks, uh, that's what I did. [00:07:30] I opened up and they practised. And, um, eventually I joined in. I joined in. And, um, it was that feeling that everybody had that that that that that family feeling that, you know, people have, especially in our community. And it's really, really tight. And it's sort of when I when I when I saw that, I was like, you know, that's a part of me that's kind of missing because I work, I go home and I don't [00:08:00] do anything else. And, um, joining has been a real pleasure, and, you know, because I was I have I have a little a little bit of skill at the point. I decided to join and help. And the thing with is that everybody in you don't have to be Maori, you know, we had, we had, we've had we've had Japanese. We [00:08:30] had American and, um, you know, it doesn't matter who you are, where you come from, what race you are. It's actually a safe space. And that's been our number one is is not a committed group. It's a place where you can come. You can sing, you can you can mingle with other people, uh, eat food and, um, just enjoy yourself. [00:09:00] And that's how we've always been, uh, I've been with I think about, oh, gosh, maybe six years, maybe longer. But I'll tell you what. Um, my my my biggest enjoyment with is opening events for our community because, you know, with us being kiwis, that's that's what we do. We, we we, uh, as as as a Maori culture group, [00:09:30] you know, you open events because that's the and it's always been. And it's always been what we've done and what we've always wanted to do and what we continue to do. I mean, started a long time ago, probably around about as far as I know, 2001. And, um, there are one or two original members, but, um, but we have so many people that have come and joined, um, and, [00:10:00] um, I just I just enjoy being with the group and being a part of being a part of something And, you know, at a time like this, which is the pride, you know, this is the time that really comes out and supports, um, all the events or most of the events that people ask us to do. And and we do that and we do that we don't ask for anything. We do it because it's what we love to do for our for [00:10:30] our community. And, um, Auckland has their version of us, and they they're really stunning. And they're called and, um, they they they do a lot of support for, um the big gay out. Yeah. So it's our two cities. I think the only city that's missing is that Christchurch. And it would be nice because, you know, one day we could all come together and, um, you know, have, like, a real big That would be that would be amazing. But Christchurch [00:11:00] is, um you know, each city is different in terms of the communities. Christchurch may be a little bit smaller than the rest. Wellington and Auckland. Um, you know, they have their They have their communities. But it'd be nice if we had one in the other main city as well. That would be great, you know, But just being a part of of this of this whole, this whole thing, and just seeing people coming. [00:11:30] And some people, some people are like, I don't even realise they know. And they're like, Hey, you And I'm like, uh, yeah, like, and I've never met them before And they're like, Well, I saw you the other night. Da, da, da. And I'm like, Oh, well, you know, And it's really nice because that is the way people that that's your payback for for, uh, supporting your community. The people come up and and some of them you don't even know or you've never met them. And it's just an honour and a privilege [00:12:00] to be part of of this group 20 years on, it's a long time. Chanel, Can you describe for me what it was like that first time you performed with the OK? Oh, gosh. I'm trying to remember the first time I performed with the I think it was at, um I think it was at and, um, I just remember standing in front of, um, in front of people and and And these were people from the marae and [00:12:30] they'd never really seen a group. And, um, just standing as a person before, before your people and just watching them smile, you know, when? So I grew up in an era where, um I never thought about my culture because I didn't think that I was deserving enough to be in, in in, uh, or perform [00:13:00] because I didn't know how how our people felt about about that. And But as as time has moved on, people's minds are a lot more broader, you know, Um, you know, a lot more broader in terms of, um, performing Trans woman performing like in In In the Big You know, years ago there was that there was a Trans woman and she had a little bit of stick [00:13:30] back in the eighties. But, you know, um, the Internet has opened the world to to the different diversities of people. So it's a lot more broader, and people are more accepting of, um of you these days, uh, particularly Maori people and, um, to stand before them and perform and just see their faces light up when we did the to me was like, Oh, God, that's so nice. It was such a good feeling. And, um, I think, yeah, I think was the first [00:14:00] place I perform, and I'll never forget it. It was it was amazing. Um, so we're currently at the 20th anniversary of the community Kaha group. Um, and we've got quite a few people here at the moment who are all making their way in. And we're here to celebrate. Yeah, and what it's been doing over the past couple of decades. And Cassie, I just saw you before bringing in, um, a gorgeous photo of [00:14:30] Vic. Yes. So this is Victor and this this photo, um, actually was given to me to just look after at a, um, possibly three years ago. Um, So Vic was a key part of when he was based in Wellington. Sometimes he was up in, and But when he was here, he would often come along to our kaha practises and be a constant presence with with us. So I thought [00:15:00] I'd bring this this photo back to so that he could be with us today. And it's a real joy to see some of us here, actually. Yeah. What is it like for you being here today? Um, I just got emotional in, like, two seconds. Um, to be honest, it's overwhelming. I've never, um, experienced something like this before. I didn't even know my uncle was part of a group like this until [00:15:30] the till. He died till he had passed away. A few days before he had passed away, I found out that there was this whole group. Um, yeah. Can you describe that? Oh, he was really staunch. He was a staunch man. He really was. No one messed with him in our in our area. Um, very humble, Beautiful. Um, I got I got [00:16:00] little memory of my uncle. I wasn't I was hardly around, um, of that side of the family. Not just because just my uncle, but just the whole family in general, I wasn't really a part of that. So I didn't really know my uncle like you too. But the connection I did have with him was, uh, was beautiful. Yeah, a few times he did ask me to come and live with him, but well, I don't want to Yeah, and I just came here today to [00:16:30] show face because, well, my uncle and, um, Dean, she had asked if I wanted to come, and I just thought, Yeah, that'll be awesome. Yeah. And, Casey, what about your memories of the Oh, yes. That was very staunch. He was often, um, you know, wasn't shy to question what was going on in the group and saying, Why are we doing that? Or why are we doing this? And [00:17:00] what's that all about? Um, but I learned so much from him from him because he really taught me that it's OK to question what is happening around you in the world. And actually, sometimes you need to be staunch, and you need to use your voice and put your feet in the sand and say, This is where you're at. So for for me? Um, yeah. Vic was a huge mentor within the community and believed in me at a time when when Not many people did. So he means a lot to me. Yeah. [00:17:30] I feel like this is actually quite a big moment for you. And I hadn't realised so it's emotional. Especially when the photo came in. Yeah, I think It's really important to remember the people who have been a part of our communities and our who who always stood by and and showed that as well. [00:18:00] And, um and and we should remember them as well. And it's It's not always the most glamorous people at the front. But sometimes it's the quiet people at the back who are keeping keeping the waka moving and and doing that with a real, um, with real integrity. And that's what Vic always did for us. Uh, I'm Jim. Um, about five or six years ago, soon after I started my transition as a trans woman. I [00:18:30] started to network amongst all the community groups in Wellington, and I don't know how I heard of, but I went along to say hi. And, um and then maybe, like a year or two later, I started to go back as a regular and, you know, started performing with them from time to time. Yeah, And what what drew you to to, um it just seems like it's a little jewel in the heart of the rainbow community in Wellington. Um, just on a personal level, I wanted to improve [00:19:00] my and I thought that, like singing regularly would help with that. Yeah, it was just a way into that world. Can you recall your feelings that the first time you practised with the um, yeah. Actually, I wasn't so nervous because I have been in Kapa Haka groups before, and it was very hard as a beginner to get into it. You know, you just felt like every time you made a mistake, it was awful. And it was all going too fast and you couldn't pick anything up, but, um is so [00:19:30] welcoming. It's really great for beginners. They don't have a lot of expectations on beginners. And, um, so I felt much more comfortable, Um, and that haka group than I had and others that I've tried out with. Yeah. What are what are the most memorable things that that that you've taken part in with? Um, Well, I wasn't nervous practising the first, the first actual performance, which was something in at fringe Bar that we were participating in. And, um [00:20:00] yeah, I was very, very, very, very nervous. Um, when you're performing, things go a lot faster than when you're practising. So that was memorable. But the other more generally speaking was just being welcoming the crowds that out in the park each year, that's that. That, for me is the big highlight. Yeah. What would you say, um, to place in, uh, the rainbow communities in in Wellington is, um Well, [00:20:30] I think, like, in any any part of our society, a reminder that, um, indigenous people are and an important part of our culture is including their culture and having them having some indigenous group sort of open a community, I think is pretty essential. Yeah, um, and I think I think people enjoy it. Uh, just, um, people love singing. Yeah. [00:21:00] Um, I, I remember, like at Elizabeth Carey Carey's maiden speech in Parliament. Like, um, we were there for some of the previous speakers who were just, like, very, very. It was very dry and dull. And then Elizabeth gets up and speaks, and suddenly people are laughing. And then we did our at the end. Um, I think just everybody who was there, uh, whether they were there for Elizabeth or not enjoyed, um, having that being a part of our culture. [00:21:30] Oh, hi. My name is Dianne. Um, I am a queen I've been here with for about, oh, a few years now. How I got involved with was Chanel asked me to come along and not a and not a po dancer or anything like that. I was a bit apprehensive and thinking. Oh, well, I don't know. I don't think, but anyway, she really, really persuaded me, so I came along. So And can you remember that that first time [00:22:00] that you came along, what was the feeling like? Shying, scared, embarrassed. And then I everybody was just so welcoming, you know, it was just that open arm, feeling hugging, feeling good factor and everything. So yeah. Yeah, And after the first week and then I have a look back, and I think we're going on to so many years. I've counted it 10 years, but yes, yes, over that 10 years. What? What's been the most memorable? [00:22:30] Um, events You've been to the events, the whole lot of them that, um, being at parliament, I don't know how many times you've been to parliament meeting all the politicians and everybody, um, and then going out performing for all the different areas here in, um, Wellington city. I mean, it's just been so enjoyable and giving back to the community what LGBT Q I people are able to do to sing and to yeah, and do action songs [00:23:00] and everything and the back to the community. How do you think has changed over that time? Wow. How How have we changed? I think we're more open. We're not as shy as we used to be. And, um yeah, yeah. And of course, we've got some brilliant leaders like KC um, Doctor Elizabeth MP for the Green Party. And of course, our our one and only, um Kevin. So yeah, I think it's we've just opened up to the LGBT Q I [00:23:30] and so many people are so interested in our grape. So yes, just looking around tonight because we're here at the 20th celebrations for Can you describe who's here? Ok, be up over here is Kayla. She's our co. She's our she does all the arranging of all the food and everything. I mean, that is one of her expertise and everything. And then we've got some visitors. Oh, will, will works for one of the gay. There's a whole array of other um [00:24:00] LGBT Q I people from around here in Wellington that have come to support our group and to wish us all a very happy birthday for our 20th birthday celebrations. And yes, and some lovely people I haven't seen for ages then yet, And now, um, yeah. Tell me, how do you think, um, fits into, um, the Wellington community? Um, a need. It's a very, very desperate need for LGBT Q I [00:24:30] people and Maori and Pacific Pacific and Asian, you know, to be able to come out here into Wellington And because Wellington is one of the most beautiful cities throughout the whole wide world that I know of that a all the LGBT Q I people into our kaha group to, um yeah, yeah, to say hi and to, um, meet and to Yeah, yeah, and to grow as a, um LGBT [00:25:00] Q I family and everything. So yeah, called. Um um um uh, but, um, brought up in Wellington, and I, um I went to the [00:25:30] Gay Games in 19. 0, I was gonna say nine. It wasn't. It was 2001 in Sydney and in the run up to it, um, I I was aware that Elizabeth was doing this fabulous work to get Wellington organised as a team, and I only I went to a, um a very few things. Well, because I was very. I was working full time and sort of busy with other things then. But, um, it was so amazing [00:26:00] when we got to the gay games that we went on leading all of, um, with AAA strong, indigenous sort of presence. It was so powerful. And everyone there, I think it just raised the tone, frankly, of the whole gathering. And it put a on the on forward in in A in a beautiful way. And it it put us ahead of, um, say because they were so dispersed [00:26:30] and they hadn't, I think even hadn't got together as a group. And so I've just always been so grateful for Elizabeth's vision and and seeing that that would be a really powerful thing to do. And, um, thanks to that, I really I saw this lovely sort of place I could feel part of, um, when we came back, uh, I I wasn't always able to go, but, uh, and and also I'm not AAA great singer [00:27:00] or and I'm hopeless with poi uh, I should practise more, but I loved going and, um, I sort of tend to back out when it comes to public performances, because I'm sure I'm gonna put the wrong foot forward. But I, I, um it it has been wonderful. And as the who he said today, it's just been really significant in people's lives. And it feels really, uh, important part of my now as well. [00:27:30] Yeah. Can you describe, um, to place in, uh, Wellington? Oh, wow. Isn't it wonderful that from that beginning of really sort of feeling like we were closeted within the gay games, um, to lead to Sidney? Um, And then suddenly we we are out and proud and a, uh, and and and and indigenous No, no matter [00:28:00] who we are, we're indigenous when we and it's just been a wonderful part of the outing of the rainbow community into Wellington, and I have loved the opportunity, it's it's given to be part of, um, some some fabulous events. And when I haven't been part of it, like now I've got a sprained ankle. But I, I I've also I've been away tramping getting a sprained ankle, but to come [00:28:30] back and see this beautiful performance on Saturday. Um, opening the Pride festival. I mean, I, I think Wellington is so lucky to have us just so I hope. I think a lot of Wellington people know how lucky they are to have us and at Pacifica to open Pacifica. It was, um, again, I was in the audience and I took some good photographs for for them. It was I just felt very proud. Yeah. [00:29:00] No. So, Elizabeth, we've just finished, um, the wonderful celebration for 20 years of, of, of, of being, um, of being, um can you describe what the evening has been like? It's been a really beautiful evening. In typical fashion. It's chilled out, It's relaxed, there's food, there's singing. And there's talking. Uh, we always combine all of those things. So it's been lovely. We've had people who [00:29:30] were there from the beginning, Uh, people who have come in and out over the years, uh, and people sharing really beautiful memories this year. Well, last year has been a particularly big year for you. Um, being a new member of parliament. Um, just a couple of weeks ago, you were giving your maiden speech. Can you tell me what was that like? Uh, that was an incredible thing. And over the years, when times have been hard and especially on the campaign trail, uh, I would just close my eyes. [00:30:00] Imagine myself giving my speech surrounded by all the people I love. And it would give me strength, and it would sort out my attitude and get on with the work. And it was incredible. We had over 230 people come from all over the country, and I sent the call out. Let's paint Parliament purple, and we absolutely did everybody there and just so many shades of purple and and being able to speak in the house [00:30:30] about issues for that why rights is a treaty issue. How much work we need to do to uplift the mana of our trans non-binary and intersex and just having to do my for me and do the And it was just I thought, I'm home as long as I know I had them all behind me and all my family, all our friends, Uh, but our community is That's [00:31:00] the mandate I need to do the work I need to do in this house, and already you can see the impact. A week later, we launched our petition for, um conversion therapy 160,000 names in a week. Uh, it is the largest verified, uh, petition that's ever happened in this country. Now, the government's committed to, uh, bringing that forward, but also starting work on the birth, Death, marriages and Relationships Registration [00:31:30] Act. So we know that this is all flowing out because none of those things were on the record before. None of those things were on the table, and now they're all happening. The the last piece of things that I want to get this done this year is, uh is amending the Human Rights Act to add grounds of discrimination for gender identity and gender expression and sex characteristics. Uh, because the particular type of discrimination, our face, [00:32:00] that needs to be addressed, and it's an overarching thing, but it gives us the impetus then to make all the rest of the changes that we need to make. So I'm excited, Got plenty of work to do, and I'm looking forward. Well, I feel like I've hit the ground running and I don't I do not intend to stop. And you were saying earlier this evening that to holds a very special place in your heart and gives you gives you energy, it absolutely does, and founding [00:32:30] it 20 years ago, seeing the need and the fact that the leadership we have, particularly with Kevin Nui being based here in Wellington, Um, we're a national trust. But, you know, the heart of our is a group here in Wellington. I live in Gisborne and I come down here all the time, but it it's our shared leadership that makes things work. Where do you think will be in 20 years from now? Oh, well, we'll still be going. [00:33:00] There is Number one is fun. Uh, because of that leadership. And it might not always be me and Kevin that are there, but I believe that space where you can come into the city be Maori in a way that honours your diverse sexuality or genders or or your sex characteristics. I believe there will always be a need for that. And if it's not in this form, it'll be in one way or another. But it's also why we must document our histories as we go, Um, [00:33:30] because we're just living it. We're doing it and and is in demand. There's nothing that happens in our community in the Wellington region that is not part of. And that's for an indigenous LGBTI Q group. There's nothing like this in the world. What does is absolutely world leading, and we need to make sure we capture that, and we we record it ourselves. We we talk about leaving a legacy, but the story of [00:34:00] how we operate, that's that's a story in and of itself.
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