Georgina Beyer Former Labour MP Georgina Beyer will stand for the Mana Party in Te Tai Tonga, the South Island Maori seat. Beyer has been suffering from kidney failure, but says her health is “steady” and “it's great to have a new challenge”. "I'm really excited and things are already full steam ahead for the campaign,” she says. Beyer was the world’s first trans mayor, then in 1999 famously beat Paul Henry in Wairapara to become the world's first trans MP. She remained in Parliament as a Labour MP until 2007. She says when she was approached about standing for Mana, there were a few things to consider. "Taking on this role is my way of making amends to Maori for voting for the foreshore and seabed bill which I was forced into and which totally broke me. I'm very proud to stand with Mana." Mana leader Hone Harawira says it’s great to have her on board. "She's strong-minded, stands up to be counted, and has fought for the rights of those who haven't had any - and won. That makes her an ideal fit for Mana." He says Mana wants to raise its profile, increase its representation in Parliament and help change the government. “Georgina's a respected household name in politics so she's an important part of helping achieve that goal. We feel honoured to have her,” Harawira says. Beyer, who lives in central Auckland, is friends with Harawira’s Executive Assistant Jevan Goulter and the pair are frequently seen in each others' company. Harawira paid tribute to her in Parliament last year ahead of a fundraiser to help her out as she battled kidney failure. "She may have been in a different party, and she may have lived a completely different life to me, but Georgina is a knowledgeable and forthright advocate for human rights, who teaches us all to be strong in our beliefs to be true to our history, to never back down from a challenge, and to respect all those who want to be positive contributors to our society regardless of sex, race, creed and gender,” Harawira said.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 27th July 2014 - 3:36pm