GayNZ.com – By Matt Akersten
Rua’ine, health promoter at the NZ AIDS Foundation’s Hamilton HQ, was sponsored by the Pacific Islands AIDS Foundation to co-facilitate a training workshop as well as attend the launch of the island’s support group for the ‘queens’ of Rarotonga.
Rua’ine has a strong whanau link to the islands: “My mother is Maori and dad a Cook Islander,” he explains. “Because of my family connection, I identify as Takataapui (gay and Maori) as well as Akava’ine (gay and Rarotongan).”