Laura O'Connell RapiraLaura O'Connell Rapira

Laura O’Connell Rapira (Te Ātiawa, Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa) is the director of ActionStation. ActionStation is campaigning for policy and funding change that would ensure every person in this country is taught about local hapū and iwi history, the context and content of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, colonisation and its impacts.

Why we need Māori wards

by

If we’re serious about improving youth participation in politics, we need the Don Brashes of the world to get out of the way, writes Action Station’s Laura O’Connell Rapira. When I was in sixth form (year 12) I was elected as the student representative on my school’s board of trustees. My primary school principal, Mr. … Read more

Don’t fall for the government’s spin on the TPPA

by

The new government’s attempts to soften up public opinion for the return of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement is a masterclass in spin, writes ActionStation’s Laura O’Connell Rapira. As outgoing RNZ news director at Brent Edwards recently said, we need to stop treating the goings-on of our democracy as a carnival or sport. Too often we … Read more

I thought you had my back, Marama?

by

On Friday the Māori Party issued a press release that criticised Labour for legalising same sex marriage. An aghast Laura O’Connell Rapira responds. It’s never easy being takatāpui. Within the queer community, we can be subjected to exclusion and discrimination based on our culture and heritage. In the Māori community (and indeed in society as … Read more