Season 1 Plot
Queer and Here is a 6 part factual series that pays homage to the LGBTQI+ pioneers and changemakers across the decades while exploring the modern day rainbow community in New Zealand
Queer and Here Season 1 aired on May 22nd, 2025.
Season 1 Episodes
1. The Journey Begins
Aniwa takes his first HIV test, he overcomes some childhood trauma by throwing the ball around with one of Aotearoa's two gay rugby teams the NZ Falcons and he looks at the services offered by queer support service Rainbow Youth.
2. Activating our Activism
Aniwa is inspired by the compelling story of LGBTQI+ pioneer and intersex advocate Mani Mitchell. He catches up with MP Chloe Swarbrick at the Auckland Pride March and spends time with former MP and double sports international Louisa Wall.
3. Holding Space
Aniwa performs with LGBTQI+ kapa Ahakoa te Aha,and hangs back stage with Half Queen before her headlining set at the Big Gay Out. And he heads to Masterton to meet up with trans male and Tik Toker Lyrikz Rimene.
4. The Road to Healing
Aniwa meets filmmaker Alesha Ahdar, who found healing through turning to film. He goes to the Auckland's Pride Parade and meets up with some bears.....wait what is a bear?
5. Preservation
Aniwa learns about Aotearoa's (New Zealand) queer history from non-binary trans masculine historian Will Hansen and he heads north to meet young trans wahine (woman) Phoenix Atkins and her whanau
6. It's about whanau (family)
We wrap up season 1, Aniwa with introducing us his whanau (family), he hangs out with icons house mother Jaycee and Queen of Tonga, Lea Pao and heads to Wellington to meet gay couple Rawa and Frankie who are trying to have a baby.
