✨ Exciting news to share ✨

Our documentary Trans and Pregnant has gone global, from winning the First Special Jury Prize at FIFO Tahiti, to showing at KASHISH in Mumbai, and now being officially selected for Out On Film in Atlanta, Georgia, this month!

Each screening reminds me that visibility is not just representation; for trans and queer families, visibility is resistance.

In my latest article, I reflect on:
Why visibility is a powerful act of resilience
How film festivals amplify intersectional truths
What we can do to rebalance power and privilege globally

“We don’t just want to be seen on the screen. We want to shape the systems behind the camera, the policies in the room, and the futures our children will inherit.”

I’d love to hear from you:
What does visibility mean to you?
How can we better support intersectional storytelling here in Aotearoa and around the world?

Read the full article here:

A documentary that has just been recognised in the FIFO Film Festival, Tahiti: Special First Prize of the Jury, The doco is about trans man Frankie and their husband Rāwā Karetai Wood-Bodley who allowed cameras to follow their journey from trying to conceive, to the heartbreak of miscarriage and finally carrying a baby to term and bringing new life into the world.

Listen here:

A Canterbury couple told Breakfast they hope viewers can see the "amount of love that trans people can experience" during their pregnancy journey. (Source: Breakfast).

The subjects of a new TVNZ documentary, Trans and Pregnant, which airs tonight, say they have been "really supported and loved" during their unique journey to parenthood.

The ‘first of its kind’ documentary, ‘Trans and Pregnant airs tonight.

A Cantabury couple told Breakfast they hope viewers can see the “amount of love that trans people can experience” during pregnancy.

Frankie and I are beyond excited (and a little nervous!) to share this deeply personal story with you all.

Directed by the incredible Ramon Te Wake, and produced by the wonderful Nicola Smith (She/her), this documentary follows our path to becoming parents, from navigating the health system and gender dysphoria to embracing the joys and challenges of building our family. We hope it shows that love, resilience, and community can overcome even the toughest barriers.

Why this matters to us:
- Demystifying trans pregnancy with care and authenticity
- Challenging outdated stereotypes about what family looks like
- Celebrating the diversity and strength of Rainbow whānau in Aotearoa

Frankie and I opened our hearts to share the real highs and lows of our journey, through love, loss, and everything in between. Our hope is that it inspires others and fosters greater understanding.

❤️ This is about love, family, and our shared dreams.

Thank you to Olly Hall and YOUR EX (formerly express) the incredible coverage and support leading to tonight’s premiere. Their feature captured the heart of our story and allowed us to reflect on the importance of representation and storytelling in Aotearoa.

Join us to witness a story that’s close to our hearts. We’d love your support as we shine a light on trans parenthood and the beauty of creating a family that reflects who we are.

hashtag#TransAndPregnant premieres tonight at 7:30 PM on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+.

hashtag#TransJoy hashtag#RainbowFamilies hashtag#RepresentationMatters hashtag#AotearoaStorie

In a thoughtful article by Katie Harris, Frankie Karetai Wood-Bodley [LLM LLB BA] and I open up about our journey to parenthood as a trans and rainbow couple in Aotearoa. Welcoming our son, Hiwa-i-te-Rangi, was a journey full of love, resilience, and, at times, challenges as we navigated the healthcare system and personal hurdles together.

Thank you to Katie Harris for capturing our story beautifully and to everyone who has supported us.

📣 Proud to share that Trans & Pregnant has been featured on Stuff and TV Guide! 📣

This documentary captures the story of my husband, Frankie Karetai Wood-Bodley [LLM LLB BA] and me as we navigate the journey to parenthood—from the dream of building a family through the heartbreak of loss to the indescribable joy of bringing new life into the world. It’s a story of resilience, love, and the courage to live authentically.

We’re incredibly grateful to producer Nicola Smith (She/her) and director Ramon Te Wake, whose dedication and understanding helped bring our journey to life with respect, compassion, and authenticity. A huge thank you to Melenie Parkes, the writer of this beautiful Stuff story, for her thoughtful words and care in sharing our story with New Zealand. Through Trans & Pregnant, we hope to shift perceptions, inspire others in the trans and rainbow communities, and show that family takes many forms.

Our story isn’t just about labels—it’s about love, the desire for family, and the strength to break barriers. 🌈💙

If you’d like a deeper look into our journey, check out Melenie’s Stuff article here: What it’s like to be Trans and Pregnant.

Catch the premiere on TVNZ 1 & TVNZ Plus on November 11th, and join us in celebrating the power of love and representation.