Media advocacy
I recognise the important role media can play in effecting positive change for human rights and lived experience issues. As a former spokesperson for the NZ Human Rights Commission, and in my personal capacity as a community leader, I have advocated for lived experience issues, such as Racism (race relations). Rainbow rights, Conversion practices prohibition, religious settings to be more inclusive, Pacific people's issues, Social Cohesion, and more. On these occasions, I am able to weave in relevant lived experience, while also discussing legislation, policy and the evidence-base.
Following are links to media , Op-eds (not including ghostwriting for others, available upon request), interviews, quotes, and/or mentions in numerous NZ and international outlets.
I am also available for media commentary on relevant issues.
My appearances have also been cited in academic writings (PhD and MA dissertations, academic journal articles and books), as well as reports to ban conversion practices globally. Some of my media interviews have made it to university course reading lists in the United States, UK, Australia and NZ. This makes me very proud to know that my views are being used to hopefully promote and foster greater understanding and acceptance for lived experience peoples and issues.
See my LinkTree for a comprehensive list of mentions and interviews in the masthead logos above.
Such as AM Show, SBS Australia Samoa Radio; Maori TV, RNZ Nine to Noon, Pacific Media Network, The Australian, The Guardian, NZ Herald, Spinoff, Newstalk ZB, and many more.
Radio interview - 95bFM - NZ Research that equates conversion practices as a form of religious abuse
TV interview - 1News - Conversion Practices research (link to come)
Social media interview - ABC Pacific Facebook interview (Ezra Mam/Spencer Leniu saga)
Quote - Sydney Morning Herald article - Ezra Mam/Spencer Leniu saga - racism
TV interview (Breakfast 1 News) - Conversion practices scheme
Magazine opinion piece (E-Tangata) on intersection of religion, culture & sport
TV interview (Te Ao with Moana/Maori TV) on Manly Sea Eagles jersey
Radio interview (NZ) - RNZ Checkpoint on Rainbow safety of students in religious education settings
TV interview (NZ) - Breakfast TV on Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Act passing
Radio interview (531 PI) - Pacific human rights analysis of Posie Parker visit
I was honoured to be interviewed by Moana Maniapoto as a TV panellist in a historic national broadcast to mark the inaugural Matariki public holiday in New Zealand in 2022.