User:AuteWayOfWeaving/Selena Pirika

Selena Pirika (born December 06, 1977) is a Māori trans woman, dancer, actress, singer and cultural advisor. She whakapapa back to Ngati Raukawa, Ki te tonga, Ngati kikopiri and Te Arawa.

Biography
Pirika grew up with Maori trans women and people of takatapui which helped her transition and build confidence in her identity and mana. She also discovered a lot about herself as well through the transition of Kapa Haka to poi growing up and the cultural metaphor of growth into womanhood.

As a proud Maori trans woman, Pirika is actively involved with the LGBTQIA+ community, especially those identifying takatapui - with this she founded the House of Poi. A house that was created through pirika teaching poi classes at the Marae and that was non gender specific. It was a space where those could feel safe within their culture and gender identity, specifically those of takatapui. Pirika has danced professionally around the world, held workshops, involved with community work, produced and starred in shows that highlight representation of indigenous queer lives and stories throughout the years.

Pirika featured in an all POC queer play entitled 'The eternal queers' in 2021for Wellington pride. Written by Estelle Chout, produced by Chinwe Akomah and directed by Krishna Istha. Pirika played Carmen Rupe, who already had a close connection with as she had shared many moments and memories together, whilst mentioning that she's related to her family. A fictional story of four real-life rainbow activists set in an afterlife - in 2079 - This stars international icons, including New Zealand's own Carmen, attending a lavish event when they are suddenly thrown out and trapped in a room with no explanation. Also starring Samoan fa'afafine activist To'oto'oali'i Roger Stanley, Chinese gay activist Gary Wu and American gay civil rights icon and entertainer Stormé DeLarverie. It is also believed to be Aotearoa's first play created and performed by people of colour who identify as part of the rainbow community

In 2021 Pirika also opened up for 'He Tangata' with her kapa haka group, created by Pounamu Rurawhe and Paris Elwood. A work that not only centres takatāpuitanga but glorifies takatāpui existence. A glory that has been ignored for too many generations - He Tangata draw from Tūtānekai and Tiki’s queer love, one of the few surviving stories of takatāpui identities, as a beacon of takatāpui identity.

In 2022 Pirika was part of the exhibition 'If the show fits' - fourteen members of Porirua and wider Wellington’s Māori and Pasifika rainbow communities. Using shoes as a metaphoric and literal representation of the struggles and stories of MVPFAFF+, Takatāpui, and LGBTQIA+ communities - The exhibition was developed and curated by Sevia Saviour Nua, the inaugural Aniva Arts Resident, funded by Creative New Zealand through the Pacific Arts Strategy 2018 – 2023

In 2023 Pirika produced a show for Wellington pride festival called 'Tē Karanga'. A celebration of Takatāpui, MVPFAFF and BBIPOC LGBTQIA+ communities through performing arts, story telling, kapa haka, waiata, ballroom, and poi. It isn’t the first time Wellington Pride Festival had an indigenous and Māori centred opening show, having put on He Tāngata in 2021.

“Karanga is used to welcome manuhiri (guests) onto the marae, and bring them into the realm of the home, people’s ātea (space),” Pirika said.

There would be three karanga during the show to welcome and invite rainbow people into the space, “to receive our loved ones to be with us, and to activate the sacredness of this space and accept the welcoming from Wellington Pride”.

It was a celebration of “indigenous excellence” – to explore the “intersection of the margins within the margins”. “Tē Karanga unites us, receives the call of those gone before us, and clears the pathway ahead of us.”

Pirika continues to share her knowledge, creativity and most importantly her cultural and gender identity as a Maori trans woman.

Exhibition
If the show fits - 2022

Shows
The Eternal Queers - 2021

He Tangata - 2021

Tē Karanga - 2023