Sanitary drive held for families of Christchurch attack

An Auckland audience donated sanitary products at a podcast by a collective which aims to “give voices to the marginalised”.

People going along to The Watercooler at the Basement Theatre were urged to bring products to be donated to the families of the Christchurch mosque attack victims.

The sanitary drive was initially meant for the Auckland Women’s Refuge but the collection is now being re-directed.

In light of the terror attacks, “the need is higher in Christchurch right now,” Watercooler co-producer Todd Waters said.

Both producers were happy with the turnout and the collection effort.

The products will be given to the Christchurch Victims Organising Committee, which is also calling for non-perishable food items, soaps, nappies, and vouchers for food and fuel.

The podcast show’s theme was “Mindful Menstruation”, and three people discussed their cycle, stigma and the New Zealand health system.

Co-producer and host Alice Kirker said it’s an important topic to discuss, though it is often avoided.

People “don’t get the opportunity to talk about that often, it’s not something that’s covered in mainstream media,” she said.

She also pointed to the gaps in the health care system, saying it was ill-equipped to help.

“It’s not funded properly, your access to sanitary products is pretty abysmal,” she said.

One of the speakers said it took 12 years for her endometrioses to be diagnosed, despite numerous visits to doctors over the years.

And even then, it took her boyfriend coming along to an appointment for her to be taken seriously.

Ms Kirker said that coming together to share these stories builds a sense of solidarity.

The Watercooler is a monthly podcast based at Basement Theatre.