Story: Gender diversity

Rainbow Room

Rainbow Room

The Rainbow Room, a select committee meeting room in Parliament, was dedicated to New Zealand’s gay, lesbian, and transgender community in 2008. The tukutuku panel in the centre, known as ‘Mana Takatāpui’, was made by Elizabeth Kerekere, who later became an MP. Kerekere used her maiden speech in Parliament in 2020 to highlight issues faced by the takatāpui and rainbow community. Included in the selection of flags is the intersex symbol (the yellow flag with the purple circle) and the trans flag (pale pink, white and blue).

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How to cite this page:

Johanna Schmidt, 'Gender diversity - Human rights and discrimination', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/47406/rainbow-room (accessed 3 May 2024)

Story by Johanna Schmidt, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 4 May 2021 with assistance from Gender Minorities Aotearoa