TE RAUKURA O’CONNELL RAPIRA: He Takatāpui Ahau

Te Raukura O’Connell Rapira (Te Ātiawa, Ngāruahine, Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Whakaue) has been described by their peers as one of the most strategic minds of their generation. For the past 14 years, they’ve been behind some of the biggest community-led campaigns in Aotearoa. They’re currently the CEO of 350.org in so-called Australia, a global community organisation committed to a world free of fossil fuels.

Unlike other people Jen has spoken to on this podcast, Te Raukura isn’t a songwriter. They became friends through a waiata group in Naarm (Melbourne) fondly known as Takatāpui Tuesdays. In this episode, Te Raukura speaks to the complexities of being Māori and working on Aboriginal land – and how singing their cultural songs with other queer and trans Māori has brought them joy and connection.

Find out more about Te Raukura O’Connell Rapira:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Te_Raukura_O%27Connell_Rapira