Rae-rae are trans women in Tahitian culture related to Māhū (meaning "in the middle"), a gender category in Polynesia.[1] They are regarded as an integral part of Maori tradition, history, and culture.[2]
Transgender women are common in many cultures. Rae-Rae in Tahiti are similar to Kathoey in Thailand, Kothi and Hijra in India, Femminiello in Italy, Muxe in Mexico, and Travesti in South America.