The title of this recording is "Vigil for Zena". It is described as: Audio from the Vigil for Zena Campbell, held in Civic Square on 20 March 2018. It was recorded in Civic Square / Te Ngākau, Civic Square/Te Ngākau, Wellington on the 20th March 2018. This is a recording of an event and features the voices of Bella Simpson, Brian Dawson, Chris Campbell, Fleur Fitzsimons, Jan Logie, Jem Traylen, Kassie Hartendorp, Kevin Haunui and Tīwhanawhana. Their names are spelt correctly, but may appear incorrectly spelt later in the document. The duration of the recording is 29 minutes, but this may not reflect the actual length of the event. A list of correctly spelt content keywords and tags can be found at the end of this document. A brief description of the recording is: Audio from the Vigil for Zena Campbell, held in Civic Square on 20 March 2018. Zena died on the 11 February 2018 in Wellington. A special thank you to Bella Simpson and the Campbell family for allowing us to record this event. Note: some wind noise and distortion happen at points in this recording. The content in the recording covers the 2010s decade. A brief summary of the recording is: The summary of the recording titled "Vigil for Zena" encompasses the events of a gathering held in Civic Square/Te Ngākau, Wellington on March 20, 2018, to remember Zena Campbell, who passed away on February 11, 2018, in Wellington. The vigil brought together individuals from different walks of life and included speakers Bella Simpson, Brian Dawson, Fleur Fitzsimons, and Jan Logie, along with personal testimonies from those who knew Zena. The recording, although marred by occasional wind noise and distortion, spans 29 minutes and captures the solemn and poignant atmosphere of the occasion. The audio commences with a notice of the ceremony's start, followed by an opening address from Bella Simpson, who extends thanks to the Campbell family and the Wellington City Council for their support. A moment of silence is observed in Zena Campbell's honor. This is succeeded by statements from attendees including Dawson, Fitzsimons, and Logie. Throughout the vigil, there are calls for remembrance, discussions about the trans and gender diverse community's struggles, and acknowledgments of the violence that led to Zena's end. The vigil serves as an occasion not only for mourning but also for social activism against hate crimes and domestic violence, and a commitment to ensuring safety for the transgender community in Wellington. Councillor Brian Dawson calls upon the community to reclaim the light lost to violence and pledges not to ignore or forget such incidents. They mention a condolence book available at the council for those wishing to leave messages for Zena. Fleur Fitzsimons, another Wellington City Councillor, expresses their sympathies and underscores the need for safety within the city, particularly for the transgender community. Fitzsimons commends the community's activism and stresses the importance of collective responsibility in fostering a secure environment. Jan Logie, a parliamentarian, reiterates support for the community, recognizing the collective loss and the role discrimination plays in perpetuating violence. Logie encourages the community to listen, share grief, and commit to positive change while also emphasizing the necessity for mutual support. The open mic session of the vigil provides a platform for personal reflections, poetry, prayers, and songs, further humanizing the tragedy of Zena Campbell's life cut short. Zena's father, Chris Campbell, offers thanks to the attendees and asserts the unfairness of losing Zena to domestic violence. To conclude the vigil, attendees engage in song and karakia (a Māori prayer or incantation), using these expressions as a means to cleanse the spirit and as a metaphor for overcoming adversity. The full transcription of the recording follows.  It includes timestamps every thirty seconds in the format [HH:MM:SS].  The transcription begins:  Uh uh. We're about to begin now. A ceremony, uh, for for to begin the ceremony. We'll just have a to start, And we'll then sing a song to celebrate that. And to start the the, um, proceedings. Um, this evening there is a song sheet and the song that we will sing following the [00:00:30] is You're welcome to join in. [00:01:00] Um, [00:01:30] [00:02:00] [00:02:30] no. Yeah, [00:03:00] the [00:03:30] [00:04:00] Yeah feel [00:04:30] [00:05:00] Yeah. Second. Hello. Um, my name is Bella. Thank you to for opening this space for us this evening. Um, and thank you. The to the city Council for giving us a space. Um, this evening it's been amazing. Your support [00:05:30] and how fast you've jumped in to just offer anything you can. Um, your quick responses has been amazing. So we're going to start this evening with a moment of silence for Zeena. Then we're going to hear from, um, Councillor Brian Dawson. Um, Fleur, I forgot your last name, Um, and Jan Logie. And then we're gonna open up the space for, um if anyone would like to say anything, OK, [00:06:00] so we'll just start with a moment of silence. OK, so [00:06:30] I'm not normally one to Prew. Write my speeches I'm a firm believer in winging it on the spot, but this evening I felt a need to write out what I wanted to say. Um, on the 11th of February, we lost a beautiful person from our Trans was murdered, and her life was just beginning, and it's been taken away from her and her family. I went to high school with, and Zeena was always up for banter and always up for a good laugh. And I'm really sad that I never got a chance to know her more [00:07:00] outside of high school. Um, as Trans women, we're told that we have a really rough life expectancy of about 41. Um, and that's something we often don't think much of. But this is a stark reminder of the reality for our trans and gender diverse, the hurdles that we constantly have to face just to be ourselves. I was really saddened to see that no one was talking about Xena, and when it was put through the media, it was done terribly. I spoke to friends about how sad and mad I was, and the most common response I got was Wait, [00:07:30] Was this America this evening? I really want us to come together and we're gonna say her name. We aren't going to turn a blind eye to domestic violence towards trans people in our city. We won't turn a blind eye when our Trans are under attack. We live in a city that is full of diversity and with a mayor who is actively working to make our city a safer place for our Trans. Unfortunately, he couldn't be here this evening, but instead he is organised for the Michael F Lights to be turned on and the trans flag colours [00:08:00] for Zena. It's a little bit bright right now, but, um, they'll be on later this evening. Um, we need to take our anger and our sadness and keep pushing forward. We need to look after look after each other, we need to learn. And Wellington needs to know this won't be happening on our streets. We won't stand for this. Whether it was a hate crime or domestic violence. The reality is that Xena is no longer here. And she had so much positive light to offer the world, and we will not let her death go unnoticed. [00:08:30] So, um, if Brian would you like to say some things first? Thanks. Bella, Um, I want to start by actually acknowledging you, Bella, and thank you so much for organising this. This is really important. So my name is Brian Dawson. I'm one of the city councillors. I'm one of the city councillors for the Lampton ward for the central area. Um, but for me, I, I live in a And for me, this is about what goes on in my own backyard and, uh, acknowledging that [00:09:00] this is horrendous and tragic, and there's no other words for it, but that this is something that we shouldn't have in our city. But we do. Every life that is stolen by violence steals just a little bit of light from the world around us. And I guess my very brief request tonight is that we all play our part in claiming back some of that light, Uh, that we all play our part in not letting violence turn [00:09:30] us into hate haters that we don't let violence change us into being something that we don't want our city to be. Uh, for me as an a resident, Uh, I was shocked that something like this could happen in my streets. And I'm determined that we won't turn the blind eye that you talked about, Bella, that we will not simply forget that this sort of thing is happening. And so on behalf of myself and my colleagues in the Lampton Ward I, I want to say that we take this seriously. I want to say that most importantly, that, uh, truth [00:10:00] will always beat falsehood. That love will always beat hate. And that light will always be darkness in the end. And so no matter how dark it seems at the moment, I know that we can continue to claim back that light. One practical thing I do want to say is that we do have a condolence book that is gonna be at reception at council, Uh, over the next week or so And we'd really welcome everyone who would like to come in to sign that book to write a note to Zea. Uh, and we'll make sure that gets back to the right people afterwards, So please [00:10:30] do take advantage of that. Thank you so much for showing up tonight and it's actually floating around at the moment at the at the moment. So if you get a chance tonight, sign it Otherwise at reception over the next week or so Flow if you'd like to. My name is Fleur Fitzsimmons and I'm a Wellington City councillor with portfolio responsibility [00:11:00] for making our city safe. I just want to start by expressing my deep condolences to family to friends, to classmates, to everyone here for the loss of Zena. I really want to also, uh, applaud the transgender community for your activism and for the organisers, Uh, for organising this today, it's, uh, a very, very important issue. We must make sure that everyone, uh, especially [00:11:30] members of the transgender community, are safe in our houses, on our streets, in our prisons, in our workplaces, everywhere. And I salute you for organising this and I salute you for demanding more and demanding better. And I encourage you to keep doing that. Um but it shouldn't just fall on you. We all have to take responsibility for this and I want to commit to you that as the Wellington City Councillor, with responsibility for [00:12:00] city safety, I will do everything I can do to make our city as safe as possible and I just want to leave you with, um, some final words really about grief and encouraging you all to remember that grief can present itself in different and unexpected ways over time and just urge you as I'm sure you will, to look after each other and look after yourselves. And if you need help, seek help. And if anyone you know needs [00:12:30] help, make sure they seek help as well. Thank you. Jan. If you'd like to say some words, thank you to Jan whose office got back to my last minute email this morning. So, um so, firstly, to acknowledge, uh, family and friends, Um, and the grief that's here for the loss of, [00:13:00] um, Zea Campbell from your lives and our community. And, um, thanks to Bella to pulling us together to have a chance to actually remember in a positive way and to kind of reclaim our space as a community in support of each other. I want to, I guess [00:13:30] acknowledge and to also give apologies for Louisa Wall, who wanted to be here today, um, and is here in spirit, but had to had work that she wasn't allowed to get out of, um, but she is here. And, um, as a team in parliament, we want to let you know that we are standing with you in a commitment to addressing this [00:14:00] violence. And that's kind of you know, that there's two levels of that because I want to acknowledge, too, that when somebody's murdered in this way, when we know discrimination exists in our society that that feeds violence, then actually we've lost a person. But we also feel a loss in ourselves because it feels as if it happens to part of us as well. And we need [00:14:30] to stand with each other to support and to challenge that. And, um, I yeah, it's, you know, it's hard to know exactly what we, um what to say in the face of that kind of violence. Um, but we need to do more. And the starting point is to be coming together and to be sharing our [00:15:00] grief and to be listening and to committing to difference. Um, and I also just want to, um Yeah, I guess end on that same note about just reaching out to each other and, um, that this can This will yeah, no longer be that we can do better than this. [00:15:30] Thank you. So I'm going to open up the mic now. Um, and you're welcome to say a few words A poem, a prayer, Sing a wee song if you want. Um, just be mindful that we've got pride. N is recording this evening. Um, and so that will be on the nz dot com website. Um, and news talk ZB is here, and there's a handful of other media places here. So, um, if [00:16:00] media is not your friend, then apologies in advance. Hi. I'm Campbell, Xena's father. I just like the family and friends of Zena and everyone who knew her. Um, that's come here tonight. Thank you very much. Um, she'd really appreciate it. Um, and it's sad that she was taken from us through an act of violence. [00:16:30] Um, from a domestic way, it's just not on. Um, but thank you, Bella, for, um, getting everybody together and Alex for getting everybody together at short notice. Thank you very much. Anyway, for family and friends coming together. Thank you. The other thing I didn't mention is there are three buckets floating around by three great volunteers. Um, raising some funds for the family. [00:17:00] So if you'd like to donate a gold coin some dollars. That would be really lovely. Um, does anyone else Would anyone else like to say anything? Hi, everybody. Um I'd just like to thank you all for coming. Um, Zena, I miss you, you little unicorn. You were a pain in the ass. But [00:17:30] I miss you, and I love you dearly. This might get a little loud. I'm just going to do a Buddhist chant for my dear friend. Zena Ring, Ring, [00:18:00] ring. Thank you. Thank you. Hey, I'm and this is Johnny. Hi, everyone. Um, my name is Johnny. I met Zenith, um, in respite. And we spent a bit of time together there. And, um, after that, she came to live [00:18:30] with me in my house while she was looking for a place to stay. Um, I got to know her quite well. Um, even though, you know, we only spent about a month together. Um, in the time that I knew her, she was always easygoing, friendly. She welcomed everyone with open arms she was accepting and understanding. Uh, she was sympathetic. Her pos, uh, her positive attitude towards life influenced a lot of, uh, a lot of my friends and myself. Um, [00:19:00] in the time that I knew her, she was focusing on, um, getting her life on track. And that was going really well. And it's such a shame that she didn't get to make any more progress. It was stolen from her. Um, she wanted people to be a lot more free, live their life in a more positive and humble environment. And I miss her a lot. Thank you. Hello. I'm a resident of street. None of us [00:19:30] knew Zea before she arrived, and I sneaked a suspicion she hasn't left yet. But on behalf of the street, maybe a bit presumptuous of me, but wherever you are, if you want to stay, you need to stay in street until all is resolved. You are now part of our urban. [00:20:00] Um, I'm Cassie. I just want to ask if there's any former or current evolved staff who might want to come up and stand with me if they feel able. And if anyone from transform wants to come up as well. Um, Zeena was just an incredible ball of energy. Um, I don't think we'll ever meet anyone quite like her, and we were so lucky to have known her. And these are some of the people [00:20:30] who worked alongside her as nurses. Um, I was a youth worker at one stage, um, and from Transformers. Well, who are passionate about supporting young, transgender and gender diverse people, and we just want to say that she'll be dely missed by us. Um, the work we do is for people like Xena, and just a reminder that if you're really hurting, we're here for you as well. Thank you. [00:21:00] Yeah, I think it just really highlights how vulnerable we are as trans people. And, um, you kind of hear all these stats, but when you actually see somebody, you know kind of it, it hits you in the kind of work that evolve and outer spaces does out of it, because we basically have to. Thanks. [00:21:30] Um, I'm really touched to see so many people come along, particularly from all different parts of the community. And to know that that, um, Wellington supports us. Um, I really just wanted to say a really short cut here that's in the the sheet that we handed out and then to sing it together. If you'd like to join in, [00:22:00] [00:22:30] OK, I might hand it back over to [00:23:00] then if no one else wanted to say anything. OK, thank you once again for coming to claim the space in which to acknowledge zenas passing to acknowledge to the to acknowledge our to each other as a community. Um, we're going to close [00:23:30] off this little space for the time being, and, uh, we're going to sing a, uh, we've come together in sadness, but we also need to leave and make sure that we're nice and healthy, Uh, when we leave the space. And so this is really about, um, cleansing ourselves, uh, with the elements that are around us to, um and it talks about, um, [00:24:00] casting aside all those things that trouble us, all those things that bind us and weigh us down. It also talks about, uh uh, you know, the spirit, the spirit flying as high as it can. So it goes to the place where the sun never stops shining, uh, and things like that. So, um, this is a little a little You may have heard it. Please join in. And then following that, we'll have a quick that will close off [00:24:30] the session, OK? [00:25:00] And [00:25:30] [00:26:00] [00:26:30] [00:27:00] [00:27:30] [00:28:00] [00:28:30] she on me. Thank you. The full transcription of the recording ends. A list of keywords/tags describing the recording follow. These tags contain the correct spellings of names and places which may have been incorrectly spelt earlier in the document. The tags are seperated by a semi-colon: 2010s ; Aro valley ; Bella Simpson ; Brian Dawson ; Buddhism ; Canada ; Chris Campbell ; Civic Square / Te Ngākau ; Evolve Wellington Youth Service ; Fleur Fitzsimons ; Jan Logie ; Jem Traylen ; Justin Lester ; Kassie Hartendorp ; Kevin Haunui ; Louisa Wall ; Michael Fowler Centre ; Morocco ; People ; Space ; Tokyo ; Tranzform (Wellington) ; Tīwhanawhana ; Vigil for Zena Campbell (2018) ; Wellington ; Wellington City Council ; Youth ; Zena Campbell ; activism ; anger ; attack ; attitude ; casting ; change ; chant ; community ; council ; crime ; death ; difference ; discrimination ; diversity ; domestic violence ; email ; energy ; environment ; erotica ; face ; facebook. com ; family ; fat ; flying ; friends ; fun ; gender ; gender diverse ; grief ; hate ; hate crime ; hit ; karakia ; lighting of building exterior ; listening ; loss ; love ; mayor ; media ; moment of silence ; other ; pain ; passing ; prayer ; reclaim ; remembrance ; respite ; sad ; safety ; school ; shame ; silence ; spaces ; support ; tattoo ; time ; touch ; trans ; transgender ; transphobic violence ; truth ; understanding ; unicorn ; vigil ; violence ; visa ; waiata ; website ; wind ; work ; youth. The original recording can be heard at this website https://www.pridenz.com/vigil_for_zena.html. The master recording is also archived at the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington, New Zealand.  For more details visit their website https://tiaki.natlib.govt.nz/#details=ecatalogue.1089822. Please note that this document may contain errors or omissions - you should always refer back to the original recording to confirm content.