She is also dismissive of the amount of money Caitlyn Jenner had for her rebirth.
It's tougher here in Wanganui. For instance, there is no endocrinologist to give hormone treatments to stop libido, said Tyra. "The closest are Palmerston North or Wellington."
Tyra was brought up in Marton and Ratana and moved to Wanganui with her family when she was 10.
She was accepted without a word in her family.
"I was called babe or girl."
She eventually named herself after supermodel Tyra Banks. "I became Tyra later on - we are both strong black women."
Her mum supported her 100 per cent.
"When we went swimming at school I wanted to wear a top. I wanted to cover my breasts and wailed to my mum about it. She just said, 'We'll say you have got leprosy and have to cover up'."
Her mum also bought her a bridal gown of blue velvet for her 21st birthday present.
The first boy at Wanganui Boys' College who called her a faggot was threatened with being dropped from the top of the tower block, she says. "It was the last time anyone did. All the other boys were cheering."
As an adult, it's been harder for Tyra to sort out getting a job.
"I've been to so many interviews. I really struggled, but it always the phone call and 'Sorry you didn't get the job'.
"And you always know why."
Recently she's had more luck.
She has been a commercial cleaner for eight years and cleans Countdown supermarkets in the evenings. She also works at Te Oranganui Iwi Health Authority. And after achieving a level 4 health, disability and aged healthcare qualification at Training For You, she has just got a job in that sector.
Asked if Caitlyn Jenner has given the transgender community a boost, Tyra says "no".
"Georgina Beyer gave us a boost," referring to the former Carterton mayor and Labour MP.
"She was the one who went out in public and showed we could make it to the top."