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The Māori Party is backing a Member’s Bill by Green MP Elizabeth Kerekere to strengthen the rights of takatāpui.
The Human Rights (Prohibition of Discrimination on Grounds of Gender Identity or Expression, and Variations of Sex Characteristics) Amendment Bill amends the Human Rights Act 1993 by adding gender identity or expression, and variations of sex characteristics to the list of prohibited grounds of discrimination.
Co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says the Māori Party’s values and policies as Te Pāti Māori are about supporting whānau to be who they are.
She says tangata whenua always acknowledged diverse gender and sexual identities and celebrated diversity as whānau – until colonisation started criminalising and oppressing people for being who they are.
She says Dr Kerekere is one of te ao Māori’s foremost experts and advocates for the rights of takatāpui communities.
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