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Queer Aotearoa: We've Always Been Here
2025 0.0 (0 votes) 1 Seasons
Genres
Documentary
Networks
TVNZ+
Created By
Eli Matthewson

Queer Aotearoa: We've Always Been Here

Overview

Join Eli Matthewson for a journey through the untold history of New Zealand's queer community, celebrating the resilience of trailblazers who pushed for an inclusive Aotearoa

Top Cast

Eli Matthewson
Eli Matthewson

Presenter

Anika Moa
Anika Moa

Self

Mike Puru

Self

Dame Jools Topp
Dame Jools Topp

Self

Dame Lynda Topp
Dame Lynda Topp

Self

Amanaki Prescott-Faletau

Self

Ramon Te Wake

Self

Seasons

Season 1 (2025)

No overview available.

6 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Seeing is Believing: Queer Representation in Media
2025-02-01

Join Eli Matthewson for a journey through the untold history of New Zealand's queer community, celebrating the resilience of trailblazers who pushed for an inclusive Aotearoa.

Runtime: 23 min
Episode 2: Fighting for Our Rights: Homosexual Law Reform
2025-02-01

After six teens are acquitted of killing a gay man in a public park, the queer community rallies to fight for Homosexual Law Reform—sparking a fierce battle with conservative groups.

Runtime: 22 min
Episode 3: Resilience: New Zealand's Fight Against AIDS
2025-02-01

The first series to revisit New Zealand’s AIDS crisis and its impact on gay men. We meet Michael Stevens, diagnosed with HIV at 27 in 1988, who survived hospice stays long enough to access groundbreaking HIV treatments. The episode also honours Bruce Burnett, a pioneer in New Zealand’s fight against HIV, and Denny Marks, the first New Zealander known to die from the virus.

Runtime: 23 min
Episode 4: Beyond the Binary: Trans Stories
2025-02-01

Exploring New Zealand’s trans history on mainstream TV for the first time, this episode introduces figures like Peter Alexander, a trans man who fled Palmerston North due to public scrutiny, and Carmen Rupe, a pioneering trans icon who paved the way for Georgina Beyer to become the world’s first trans member of parliament.

Runtime: 23 min
Episode 5: Love Thy Neighbour: The Church and the Rainbow Community
2025-02-01

Notorious Christian speaker Sy Rogers once preached 'healing' from homosexuality, an experience host Eli Matthewson personally witnessed. We hear from Joan Bellingham, a nurse subjected to 12 years of electroconvulsive therapy due to her sexuality, and from former pastor Andre Afamasaga, who later became a leading critic of conversion practices after attempting to ‘fix’ his own sexuality. WARNING: Contains references to suicide.

Runtime: 23 min
Episode 6: Thank You For Your Service...But Not Your Identity: Queer in the Public Sector
2025-02-01

During WWII, Kiwi female impersonators played a vital role in maintaining morale. Yet, post-war, the Defence Force and Police classified homosexuality and trans identity as psychiatric disorders, with severe consequences for those serving. We also discuss the 2018 Auckland Pride Parade’s controversial ban on uniformed officers and its impact on takatāpui police officers working to foster understanding within the force

Runtime: 24 min

Videos

Queer Aotearoa: We've Always Been Here | TVNZ+

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