Laura O'Connell Rapira

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

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 34–35)
New Zealand
OccupationActivist

Biography

O'Connell Rapira was born in Taranaki[3] 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.[4] 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.[5][6]

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.[7][8]

O'Connell Rapira held positions at Greenpeace and Oxfam when they were living in the United Kingdom.[7] 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.[9]

In 2014 they became the director of campaigns at social justice organisation ActionStation, where they focused on digital campaigning.[7][10][5] 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.[11][12][13]

O'Connell Rapira is a contributing writer to New Zealand news website The Spinoff.[14]

Recognition

In 2017 O'Connell Rapira was nominated for the Te Whetū Maiangi Award for Young Achievers.[15]

Personal life

O'Connell Rapira identifies as queer bi-sexual[16] and is frank about this being a driver for them to seek social justice and equality in society.[5] Their identity and stand about a range of areas has made them a target for online abuse.[16]

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