In her research, she found that Māori were gender diverse and sexualities were accepted in pre-colonial Māori societies.
“We can tell this because we did not have a mechanism of punishment for it.
“And because when the colonists and missionaries arrived, they were shocked by it and they wrote about it in length. They tried to suppress it, change it and they introduced penalties and laws to make it illegal.
“On top of that, generations and generations of Christianity and the colonial way of thinking had made it ‘not so normal'.”
When she moved back home (Gisborne) she found something new in acceptance within Māori communities.
“I found that if you grew up in your own tribal area and were takatāpui, it was easier to be accepted because they knew who you were (as a person and connection).
“People who grew up somewhere else and then came home were received differently, with suspicion. That opened my eyes completely.
“However, I think there is something special about Tairāwhiti. I think that we have had a really strong tradition of takatāpui here and for longer.
“We were openly accepting of our takatāpui whānau for a long, long time so there's that confidence then to be who you are without any fear.”
■ “Te Ao Māori is a very accepting place and takatāpuitanga has always been a part of it”, says Jordan Walker, star of He Takatāpui Ahau.
He Takatāpui Ahau is a part of the Someday Stories short film series, showcasing the experience of a takatāpui, gender non-binary person's experience of returning home to their marae.
It was written and directed by takatāpui filmmaker and multi-disciplinary storyteller Alesha Ahdar.
Jordan is of Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Porou and Ngāi Te Rangi descent and comes from Te Tairāwhiti.
They work for Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival as a line producer and identify as gender non-binary.
“I wanted to audition for this kaupapa (project) because the character of the lead, Blayke, who is also takatāpui, gender non-binary, resonated with me . . . it was like portraying myself.
“Also the story of Blayke returning to their marae and being confronted with whānau members who may or may not understand their sexuality or chosen identity really resonated.
“I haven't experienced that too much in my whānau actually but I know the struggles of people not completely understanding who you are.”
Jordan is yet to reconnect with their marae, especially in Tairāwhiti, they said.
“But I have been to marae in Gisborne growing up and also most recently, Rongopai Marae, even though it was for my mahi (work). I was not looked at as being different. I was welcomed.
“If you offer to help in the marae, it will be the same for everyone. You will be asked to get in the kitchen and make some kai or do the dishes.
“I've always found marae space to be very accepting.”
Looking back 15 years ago when they first came out as lesbian, Jordan said they never experienced any conflict with their identity in Tairāwhiti
“It wasn't very common for people to come out. There was no conflict but people were still confused by it.
“I think that because of having already ‘come out', it has been a nice stepping stone for me unfolding my identity here in Tairāwhiti as non-binary.”
They said they hoped the short film would give confidence to rangatahi who were on a journey to be who they are, and “not to be afraid of who you feel you are inside, and definitely not to hold it back just because you are apprehensive of how someone might perceive you”.
“Te Ao Māori is a very accepting space and takatāpuitanga has actually always been there.
“Especially in indigenous cultures, we should never think this is something we need to hold back.”
■ Rihari Campbell-Collier said all the stigma about being takatāpui came after colonisation.
“Before colonisation we were a part of the community and we were highly recognised as protectors.
“I remember a story my uncle told me about takatāpui whānau. During the land wars, we (takatāpui) would stay back to protect women and children because we were among the best fighters of our marae, iwi and hapū.
“But after colonisation, our views changed on where takatāpui sit in our community.”
In Tairāwhiti, he said he had been welcomed in the whānau.
“I feel loved for who I am with my feminine side.
“It's just been a joy being here in our kura.
“When I lived in Hamilton, I was excluded from males but here I am a part of the community.
“I have never felt any hatefulness at any marae actually,
“One of my takatāpui uncles even does the karanga at marae.
“This shows how appreciated and well-respected we are here.”
