26 June 2009 (Te Ao Māori )
Our brothers unite to promote HIV Awareness. Jordon Harris (NZAF) talks to some of the Safe Sex Warriors about the Toa Takatāpui campaign and their commitment to this kaupapa. Jordon talks to Taurewa of the Tuhoe Nation, one of the HOT team’s longest volunteers.
Jordon – what did you enjoy most about the Toa Takatāpui campaign?
Leading into the campaign, getting all the volunteers together, the models, going down to Te Unga Waka Marae, Teaching the haka, having our wananga, leading right up to the photo shoot, it was all good.
Jordon – what do you think people got from the campaign?
People have their own point of views on things, you know a painting doesn’t just depict one thing it depicts a lot of things, and they have their own run down in their mind on what it’s about. The majority of people who I’ve talked to about the poster, what comes out to them is awareness around HIV. They saw awareness in the takatāpui community.
Jordon – Whay are you committed to this kaupapa?
I guess what keeps me going on with the Hauora Takatāpui team is you know, we are there to put information out there, mātauranga out there, and hopefully it gets to the people out there. There are people who will fall through the gaps but there are a lot of people we are going to get it too and they are the ones that are going to network it through on to other people and that’s the main thing for me is. That people start talking about it, to bring it forward to the community, or Aotearoa or even the world.
I think I’m a great advocate to be seen with a moko. That’s my whole focus about being takatāpui is to put information out, that they can see and read, so they can have a different outlook on things instead of being negative about our culture, about HIV or takatāpui.
Add comment
You need to login to be able to comment.
Not a member? Join now!