March 07, 2023
Beyer leaves big footprints in Carterton
Former MP Ron Mark says the late Georgina Beyer confronted people’s prejudices and perceptions and shook up both central and local government politics.
Ms Beyer, who became Carter’s first Maori, woman and transexual mayor in 1995 and the first transexual MP in 1999, died yesterday aged 65 after a long illness.
Mr Mark became Carterton’s second Maori mayor after Ms Beyer, after serving alongside her in parliament.
He says her ability to win not only the mayoralty but the general election for Labour in a true blue area like Wairarapa speaks of the respect and love she instilled in people.
“She was no-nonsense, get on with it, gets stuff done, stops mucking around, call a spade a spade or even a bloody great shovel. She was mission-focused in everything she did. She never asked for a favour, or for people to treat her differently. She was Georgie and many times she would say ‘like it or lump it, this is me’ and get on with it. She has left a big set of footprints here in Carterton,” Mr Mark says.
He intends to do something for Georgina Beyer so Carterton never forgets her name.