Lynda Johnston moved to Tauranga in January 2019. What attracted this world-renowned social scientist, president of the New Zealand Geographic Society and chair of a Gender and Geography Commission at the International Geographical Union to our town? focus finds out.
WHY TAURANGA?
The fastest-growing city in New Zealand is a very interesting place to live in. For many years people came here to retire; nowadays Kiwis come for business and lifestyle. More and more people from different cultures and ethnic groups have also arrived. So, it’s a really interesting mix of an oldergeneration and a younger – surfing and having fun – crowd, and people building new lives here. I think this mix of people may work the region’s .
TAURANGA DOES INDEED HAVE A STRONG ‘BEACH’ IDENTITY. ONLY, I THINK, IT HAS CHANGED FROM A ‘BEACH VILLAGE’ WHERE AUCKLANDERS USED TO COME AND SPEND CHRISTMAS, INTO A VERY ACTIVE ENTREPRENEURIAL COMMUNITY WITH A FOCUS ON HEALTH AND WELLBEING.
You’re right, coastal communities all around the world demonstrate this huge interest the wellness industry. Take LA in the US or Byron Bay in Australia. Tauranga is no exception. So many people here walk up The Mount every morning and spend days at the beach – a great business mind will quickly identify the demand in activewear, healthy food stores other wellness . Hence a lot of start-ups and entrepreneurs! But we also have to be mindful of people who are not able to easily access these businesses, like those on lower incomes. How can we make our city a great space for everyone? It’s up to us – you and me, businesses, institutions and NGOs – to create an inclusive vibrant community.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT?
Only an ongoing conversation between the different groups and communities can create vibrant and inclusive cities. There is poverty and there are very wealthy people here. We don’t want that gap to grow any further. We’re now coming up to elections and I hope citizens will vote with a mind on the future of Tauranga. We need a sustainable and prosperous Tauranga region.
ARE YOU SAYING A STRONG LEADER IS WHAT WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO BE MORE TOLERANT AND UNDERSTANDING?
A lot depends on the people in power. It was very telling when we saw Jacinda Ardern during those horrible days
in Christchurch and her continual message around care and inclusivity resonated with a lot of people. Ifwe care about people, we’re more likely to become an inclusive society. Transformational leadership that promotes diversity and care is more likely to build strong and cohesive communities.
I KNOW THAT YOU WORK WITH GOVERNMENT BUT I BET YOU CAN’T JUST ORDER OUR LEADERS TO DO THIS OR THAT?
Indeed. But what we can do as academics, and with organisations such as the New Zealand Geographic Society, is put submissions to a Government around different issues. For example, next week I’m flying to Wellington
to help launch the research on spaces of belonging and disabilities to Ministers. I‘ve been working on this project with the University of Waikato, Imagine Better and DPA (Disabled Persons Assembly). This research covers five key things: creating more inclusive disability spaces, attending schools as a disabled person, workspaces for the disabled, the challenges of public encounters and, finally, dating and relationships. We hope when the Ministers review existing policies in these areas our research will help them to make the right choices. We’re also working on a review of geography as it is taught at schools. There are special standards for each secondary-school subject and we can have an impact on how students learn geography. Social and cultural characteristics of places, for example, are dynamic and shaped by relations between people, economic activities, and cultural conventions.
WHAT WAS GEOGRAPHY LIKE WHEN YOU WERE AT SCHOOL?
Oh, it was my subject! Our teacher didn’t stick to the curriculum. It was back then when I how important interactions are between people and places. At university, I was able to match my deep interest and understanding of people and with places. That’s what social and cultural geography is. I personally in feminist and queer geography, so I get more specific about gender and sexual identities in different places – from micro-spaces, like a café, to a whole country.
AND YOU’VE WRITTEN A BOOK ABOUT THIS, HAVEN’T YOU?
Yes! Transforming Gender, Sex, and Place is a result of many years of research which started with my master’s thesis
on women bodybuilders. Later, I interviewed people in Aotearoa and the US about their gender identity. The book is divided into spaces – from bodies, bathrooms and homes to spaces of activism, workspaces, cities and nations. I’m exploring the complex relationships between transgender, agender or non-binary people and these spaces.
DO YOU FIND IT EASY TO TALK ABOUT THIS TOPIC IN NEW ZEALAND?
It depends on where you are. In smaller settlements, people still prefer to avoid talking about being genderqueer or transgender. I’ve spent a long time in Hamilton and this city has been quite conservative. In fact, it wasn’t until 2007 that we put out a call to a local Hamilton rainbow community to a festival here. Many people avoid discussing aspects of gender and sexuality because of cultural taboos or religious backgrounds. But what people really need to understand is that there is gender variance in all societies, all across the world, and it’s important to accept not only the environment you’re growing up in but also who you are as a person. It’s especially important for our younger people – they need to know it’s ok to be who they are and that there are always people ready to support and talk about what they’re going through.