To all those who have supported out development,
NGĀ MIHI AROHA!
The mīro berry.
The sweet, tangy fruit of the mīro tree. Or, within te ao Māori, a jewel of knowledge and wisdom; nourishment for not only the belly, but the mind.
As the saying goes:
Ko te manu e kai ana i te mīro, nōna te ngahere. Ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga, nōna te ao.
The bird that eats the mīro berry owns the forest, but the bird that feeds on knowledge, owns the world.
Te Kete Ngātaierua, Ngāti Haua
The development of Ōhanga Rearea was the result of many mīro berries shared with generosity, and without restraint.
Some very special takatāpui and rainbow people have provided their whakaaro leading to the development of this framework, and it would not be right to provide this framework without acknowledging their mentorship, support, and guidance to the development of this kaupapa.
While not an exhaustive list, we would like to acknowledge:
Dr Elizabeth Kerekere - takatāpui activist, artist, and founder of Tīwhanawhana Trust whose own work He Whāriki Takatāpui was referenced many times in Ōhanga Rearea’s development. Dr Elizabeth Kerekere was also one of the first reviewers of this framework.
Dr Keri Lawson Te-Aho - takatāpui psychologist, and suicide prevention specialist. Dr Keri Lawson Te-Aho has, probably without knowing it, inspired a generation of takatāpui young people to embrace their takatāpuitanga - and create a better Aotearoa.
Tabby Besley - founder and managing director of InsideOUT Kōaro, mental health practitioner, and youth activist. Tabby Besley’s work has launched countless initiatives for the benefit of takatāpui and rainbow people across Aotearoa - and the country has never been the same.
Mani Mitchell - intersex activist, counsellor, and founder of Intersex Aotearoa. Mani Mitchell’s tireless advocacy has brought the rights of intersex people to the forefront of the minds of New Zealanders - and they are a true taonga for our nation.
InsideOUT Kōaro and Tīwhanawhana Trust -both charities which do such vital work for our rainbow and takatāpui communities have been a bedrock of learning contributing to the development of Ōhanga Rearea.
Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington and Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa | Massey University - the students and staff of these institutions contributed to much of the structuring of rainbow and takatāpui inclusion leaned on in this resource.
Wellington City Council - for inspiring and testing an early form of this Framework via the Takatāpui and Rainbow Advisory Council.