Laura O'Connell Rapira
O'Connell Rapira at a reception for Wellington Sexual Abuse Help! Foundation at Government House, Wellington, New Zealand in June 2019
Born1988 (age 35–36)
New Zealand
OccupationActivist

Te Raukura O'Connell Rapira[1] (born Laura O'Connell Rapira; 1988) is a grassroots leader, speaker and community activist from New Zealand.[2][3] They advocate for equality around ethnicity, gender and LGBTIAQ peoples, the environment and political power for youth.

Biography

O'Connell Rapira was born in Taranaki[4] and later moved to West Auckland where they attended Green Bay High School. They are Māori of the iwi Te Ātiawa, Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa and Ngāti Whakaue.[5] They were inspired to work on big festivals in the United Kingdom and went on to work on both the Glastonbury Festival and the Secret Garden Party.[6][7]

As a young person they were part of an accelerator programme for social enterprise initiatives. From this O'Connell Rapira co-founded RockEnrol in 2014 to encourage young people to enroll to vote in New Zealand's general election.[8][9]

O'Connell Rapira held positions at Greenpeace and Oxfam when they were living in the United Kingdom.[8] In 2012 O'Connell Rapira raised awareness of the environment in their local area of West Auckland by proposing an environmental education centre and ecological retreat.[10]

In 2014 they became the director of campaigns at social justice organisation ActionStation, where they focused on digital campaigning.[8][11][6] An advert for a new director appeared in October 2020, and in November O'Connell Rapira let people know they accepted a new role at the Foundation for Young Australians where they are the Executive Director, Movement Building.[12][13][14]

O'Connell Rapira is a contributing writer to New Zealand news website The Spinoff.[15]

Recognition

In 2017 O'Connell Rapira was nominated for the Te Whetū Maiangi Award for Young Achievers.[16]

Personal life

O'Connell Rapira identifies as queer bi-sexual[17] and is frank about this being a driver for them to seek social justice and equality in society.[6] Their identity and stand about a range of areas has made them a target for online abuse.[17]

References

  1. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  2. ↑ Rapira, Laura O'Connell (15 July 2018). "Free speech as a cover for hate". Medium. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  3. ↑ Ani-Oriwia Adds (21 July 2017). "Rising Star finalist Laura O'Connell Rapira the new face of activism". Māori Television. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  4. ↑ McLaren, Esther (18 July 2017). "Laura O'Connell Rapira". The Generosity Journal. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  5. ↑ "Our staff and volunteers". ActionStation. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 "On culture, young people and activism by Laura O'Connell Rapira". Storyo. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  7. ↑ "Laura O'Connell Rapira". Māori Television. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  8. 1 2 3 "Laura O'Connell Rapira". NZHistory, New Zealand history online. New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  9. ↑ "Laura O'Connell Rapira". Inspiring Stories. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  10. ↑ Vaimoso, Hinerangi (11 July 2012). "$1 from a million people". Stuff. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  11. ↑ "Laura O'Connell Rapira". TEDxChristchurch. 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  12. ↑ "Director". Do Good Jobs - NZ's #1 ethical jobs board. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  13. ↑ Action Station e-newsletter 9 Nov 2020
  14. ↑ "Laura O'Connell Rapira". FYA. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  15. ↑ "Laura O'Connell Rapira". The Spinoff. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  16. ↑ "Te Whetū Maiangi Award for Young Achievers". Māori Television. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  17. 1 2 "Case Study – Laura O'Connell Rapira". Amnesty International NZ. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
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