Kahu Carter for Christchurch Central

A few weeks back, I was given the incredible honour of speaking at Kahu Carter's campaign launch. She's running to be Christchurch Central's electorate MP, and it was maybe the fastest I've said 'yes' to a speaking engagement. I think she didn't expect me to say yes so quickly, but that speaks to who she is - and that it was such an easy yes speaks to the work she's done over the last three years.

Kahu and I didn't know each other before she became an MP, but somehow, in amongst the incredibly busy schedule of an MP dedicated to her communities we've got to know each other well since then. I don't know how she does it, but she always makes time - for me, for PATHA, for Qtopia. For everyone, honestly, because I see her everywhere and everyone I talk to has had a similar experience with Kahu.

I know it's the job of a politician to make you feel like they care. I also know that it's not just a job for Kahu. She cares, she shows up, she does the mahi, and she doesn't seek accolades for it.

So here's the speech I gave. I'm sharing it here because I'm proud of it and proud of Kahu. Karawhiua!

Ko wai au? Nō Ingarangi, nō Kōtirana ōku tīpuna. I tipu ake au kei raro i ngā korowai o Kai Tahu me Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei hoki. E noho ana au kei kōnei, ki Ōtautahi. Ko Victoria tōku māmā - he tangata Tūri ia. He kaiwhakahaere au i Qtopia me PATHA hoki. Ko Jennifer Shields tōku ingoa.

Who am I? My whānau whakapapa back to England and Scotland, but I was brought up under the korowai of Kai Tahu and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. I've lived in Ōtautahi and Waitaha most of my life, but lived in Tāmaki Makaurau for ten years and moved back home to Ōtautahi around ten years ago. Since then I've been privileged to be a part of a lot of communities.

I love Ōtautahi - I moved back at such a good time to get to see this city begin to stretch its bones as its new form took shape. I feel really passionately about this city. Moving away and coming back contributed - I have to admit that being in Tāmaki during my teenage trans years made it easier than staying in Kirwee or going to pre-co-ed St Andrew's College. It means I hold no resentment for this city, and it meant I worked hard to make sure no other queer teenager felt like their life would be less possible here.

Mine were one of the many whānau who returned because of what they saw from afar in 2011. I remember - aging myself - watching the live broadcasts in my school hall in West Auckland. I remember my mother describing the ache for home. So when she returned in 2013, I wasn't far behind just a few years later.

And when I got here, I got to see a city that did new, different things - one that supported its artists, one that had a surprise around every corner as 'placemaking' became a verb everyone involved in the development of Ōtautahi was using. Through that vibe I saw that this city is made up of its people. Being a part of a community, you get to know the faces in it and you know that when those people thrive, the city thrives, and so do you.

Kanohi kītea is a lived practice here. Turn up to an art opening, a market, a community event, Smash Palace on a Friday night and you will recognise faces and be recognised. But this city is growing, too. Now we get the best of both worlds - being part of thriving communities AND no longer knowing absolutely everyone in them.

When I went to Kahu Carter's first campaign launch three years ago, I didn't know her. But I immediately recognised the crowd as full of people I knew, people I loved, people I trusted. That was a sign that Kahu Carter is a real one.

This election is a big and important one for a lot of communities. For my trans community, my mother's Deaf and disabled community, for Māori - there have been real attacks in the last three years, almost too many to count, that are creating real-life harm, today, that won't be stopped unless someone takes action. Te Pāti Kakariri is our best bet for that action.

When the Government announced the puberty blocker ban last year, Kahu and the Greens immediately understood what our communities needed to hear - a firm commitment to repeal the ban, beyond vague affirmations of support. The Green Party stood by PATHA - publicly and loudly - when the Minister directed Te Whatu Ora to withhold our updated gender affirming healthcare guidelines.

In my work across both the arts and queer sectors I've been really privileged to work alongside the current MP for Christchurch Central. I rate him. I think he's been great. The last three years, I've been privileged to work alongside Kahu, too. Needless to say I rate her! Kahu has been there not just for us but for countless orgs in Ōtautahi over the last three years. She's been doing the work of an electorate MP, even though she only ran a one-tick campaign last time.

This might be bold of me but I think I'd describe Kahu Carter as the natural successor for Christchurch Central. She's kanohi kītea. She already is my representative - just this time I finally get to give that green tick twice.

Queer communities talk about allyship a lot - I know I'm not the only one tired of that word. I think allyship as we've come to know it isn't what we need right now. We need accomplices and defenders - people who refuse to stop fighting alongside us, even for a second. That's why I'll be voting Green.

At the national day of action against Marcroft's 'definition of woman' bill one sign stood out to me: "not an ideology, not a distraction, I'm your neighbour." Because behind all the politicisation, behind the attacks, behind being the latest political football, we are neighbours. We're affected by the cost of living. We live in houses - many of them cold and damp. We pay power bills. We make decisions about what we won't buy this week at the supermarket.

We're neighbours. We live in this world as real people, not as an abstract concept for political parties to score points with.

That's why I'm voting Green. That's why I think Kahu is the best choice for Ōtautahi. Because the Green Party is the party that will not just stand up for trans people - speak out explicitly in our support while other parties play the comms game - they'll stand up for everyone. Their tax policy would leave the vast majority of us better off, while making sure the super-rich are paying their fair share. They're the party that will take the climate crisis seriously. The Green Party will protect Te Tiriti o Waitangi as our founding document - as the thing that gives me the privilege to be sheltered and nourished by this whenua.

It's such an honour to be able to endorse Kahu as your Christchurch Central candidate and to put my full heart behind this campaign. Karawhiua!