AKANUANUA - Geoff Rua’ine

Geoff Rua’ine (he/him) has lived with HIV for the last 26 years.

(Disclaimer: This episode of Akanuanua contains language that may be deemed offensive, refers to sex and HIV)

Of Te Arawa and Kūki ‘Āirani whakapapa, he is one of the few Māori and Pacific Islanders willing to openly speak about living with HIV, Geoff quickly became an advocate for this community in New Zealand and in the Pacific.  Wellington, always emphasising the need for safe sex. For a time, he was a health promoter for the NZ Aids Foundation where is recognised as a life member. 

Geoff now resides in Rotorua, where he works as a nurse. 

"It wasn’t until I really lived in Sydney that I found out self-acceptance as a gay guy. I was walking home from a Sydney Mardi Gras dance party and this little voice said ‘you know it’s okay to be gay, go and tell your mum and dad’. So I did." -Geoff 

You can listen to Geoff on the Akanuanua Podcast here: