Get Nes to Brazil to represent NZ!

Tēnā koe! Kā mihi nui mō te koha, tautoko, manaaki me whakaaro. I’m genuinely humbled by the vibes and support – financial, emotional, and everything in between.

This boosted campaign was out of my comfort zone (as is a trip out of Aotearoa) yet here you are: showing up, backing me, and reminding me I’m “L’Oréal worth it” (shout out brainwashing ads of the 80’s and 90’s)!

If you thought you were contributing to send me away for good…sorry not sorry, I would never leave the best place in the world, it’s return flights. Two rawe friends (Carolyne and Laura), schemed and dreamed this campaign into fruition and my former work wifey Laura, was the absolute hammer making it all happen. Shout outs for putting up with me when I often sabotaged my own campaign by not wanting any part of it and telling people not to contribute haha! We can lol now that it's over right?

And now to thank the Academy and God…I mean, lovely humxn that is you - massive gratitude for thinking of me, the faff of donating in this climate, and the contribution and impact you’ve had in my life regardless of this campaign.

If I know you and you burned me – be better and thank you for this. If I don’t know you, and you’re hot – call me! If you’re a homie and we haven’t connected for a while – life gets busy, I still love ya loads and look forward to when we do hang. I’m lucky to know mīharo humxns and an amazing community of slayers (talented professionals), baddies (unsung heroes tirelessly working for the underdogs), and artists (genius misfits). You are likely one, or a few of these.

This week I mourn one of the greats from all three categories - Rose Kirkup. A dear friend and mentor who reminded me to be my best “lez” self, with “no chains” and to have full “rage” and claim my space as a Māori artist in a truthful and non-violent way.

This haereka mish to Brazil is dedicated to the fierce, the gentle, and the unrelenting, or what I am now calling - the “lez”. I’ll carry that lez legacy and all your aroha with me too. “Grateful grapefruit” always.

Last but not least: Toitū Te Tiriti, Freedom for Palestine, End the Genocides, End all forms of colonisation! It hurts us all, no matter our ethnicity, and as a species, we should know and do better already. Likely preaching to the converted but while I had the mic ya know? Haha. Thanks also to my agent. Chur!

*Insert talked for too long gentle instrumental music. Nes is ushered off the stage.*

Mauri ora Nes