Mama Tere

Mama Tere Strickland was a transgender woman from Auckland, New Zealand. She was a youth worker, transgender advocate, former sex worker and a life member of the New Zealand AIDS Foundation.

She was 'a mentor to many and a mother to all'.

Mama Tere’s biopic…

Mama Tere was born Charlie Tahere Strickland. A runaway at 11 years old, his new life was to be one of drugs, crime, prostitution, addiction, pain and self-destruction. Charlie, or Mama Tere, as he was known on the streets of Auckland, was to become institutionalised - living a life that was headed nowhere.

Until something happened to her that was to change her life forever.

Charlie went on to live her life as Mama Tere, a community worker, an outspoken campaigner for transgender rights and an outspoken advocate against decriminalising prostitution.

Mama Tere has since passed away. R.I.P. Mama