Te Mahurehure Marae in Auckland's Point Chevalier will host a Hui this weekend which aims to celebrate "our life, our Takatapuitanga – our Takataapui Identity." This year's theme for Hui Takataapui is Ahakoa Te Aha – he Tangata, he tangata, he tangata –"Regardless of who we are, we are people we are people we are people". "The Hui Takataapui is a time to come together and address issues relevant to Māori who are gay, bisexual, lesbian and transgender," organiser Jordan Harris tells GayNZ.com. "To help us build healthy communities we need avenues like Hui Takataapui which allow us to maximise our opportunities to develop leaders and ambassadors who will take our messages back to their communities," he explains. "Last year we saw the highest ever rates of HIV amongst men who have sex with men, so we need all of our community promoting condom use to all our whanau." A BUSY SCHEDULE Harris says this year's sponsors and generous discounts from venues have allowed Hui Takataapui to include more than ever before, says Harris. "We will begin with a Powhiri at 5pm this Friday 2 October, and have seminars designed to help celebrate our lives as Takataapui in the 21st century, including Te Tiriti O Waitangi and legal rights, HIV in relation to me, Kapa Haka, traditional medicines and traditional healing. "Fashion shows will showcase the fabulous work of our community, and a 'Tiki Toa' will be a bus tour around the city giving the history of our great big camp community," he reveals. "This is all about empowering and informing our community in particular our Rangatahi our younger generation. To encourage them to be proud and informed to make healthy choices for them and their partners." One highlight of the Hui is the Takatāpui Awards Night, a formal dinner acknowledging leaders and pioneers who have contributed to make the community what it is today. More information and a registration form for this weekend's Hui Takataapui is available here.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News Staff
First published: Tuesday, 29th September 2009 - 4:38pm