Te Ngākau Kahukura works towards an Aotearoa where rainbow people grow up feeling safe, valued, and like they belong in the places where they live, learn, and access healthcare and social support. They aim for systems change through five strategic activity areas – educating decision makers, embedding rainbow competence in professional training, building inclusion in services, developing accessible information, and growing rainbow support sector infrastructure. Their work benefits rainbow people across Aotearoa by making communities safer and more inclusive.
Te Ngākau Kahukura grew from a need for national advocacy at a decision-making level to build understanding of rainbow inequities and resource solutions. TTF supports Te Ngākau Kahukura as the work they do supports equity and inclusion. Rainbow people face discrimination in a range of forms including violence, family rejection and social marginalisation which can lead to higher rates of serious negative outcomes including suicidality, homelessness, and addiction. Addressing these requires affirming and effective practice and Te Ngākau Kahukura are leading the way in many of these areas.