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Kōrero: Gender diversity

Peri Te Wao

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Peri Te Wao

Peri Te Wao (Te Arawa) was born into a female body but always regarded himself as male. He says he is heartened by Māori elders who embrace all whānau members and recognise potential leaders regardless of their gender identity. Te Wao founded FtM Aotearoa (a female-to-male transgender support group) in 1999. 'I am firstly Māori, secondly a husband, and thirdly a friend to many communities.'

Human Rights Commission, 'To be who I am'

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Human Rights Commission - Te Kāhui Tika Tangata

by Rebecca Swan

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Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Johanna Schmidt, Gender diversity – Māori and Pasifika gender identities, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/28836/peri-te-wao (accessed 10 July 2026).

He kōrero nā Johanna Schmidt, i tāngia i te 30 March 2011, reviewed and revised 4 May 2021 me te āwhina o Gender Minorities Aotearoa.