RIP Georgina Beyer

Former Wairarapa MP Georgina Beyer has died aged 65. I knew her a wee bit, but not that well.

I recall when she was elected Mayor of Carterton and then MP for Wairarapa. She wasn’t elected to either role because she was transgender, or in spite of being transgender. The vast majority of the good voters of the Wairarapa didn’t care. She was re-elected Mayor with 90% of the vote, because she had done a good job. I think this showed that very few Kiwis are prejudiced, and they judge people as individuals, not simply by their demographics.

I liked her sense of humour, and recall her once saying that whenever she had to debate Brian Tamaki on TV, she’d always make sure she’d pat him arm, just to make him tense up.

My condolences to her family and friends.