Tēnā koutou katoa,

On the 1st of March, we gathered at Myers Park for Waimahara to close the chapter on another incredible Auckland Pride Festival. But more than that, we celebrated the unique site-responsive work, created by Graham Tipene and Ngāti Whātua Ki Ōrākei, whose waiata and artwork has been shared with us all as a beautiful and powerful activation.

We walked into the park sheltered in a sense of resolve and respite that encouraged us to continue throughout the year to be the fierce, bold and creative community members that you have been during our 2025 Auckland Pride Festival: Tētahi Ki Tētahi.

Tāmaki Herenga Waka has always been a meeting place, a confluence of peoples, cultures, and stories. And, Takatāpui and Rainbow Communities today travel from all corners of Aotearoa, and beyond, to this city; seeking a place where they can express who they are and grow into who they deserve to be. And we, as Auckland Pride, are deeply committed to supporting that ongoing journeying here in Tāmaki Makaurau.

We had over 90 events in Proud Centres across the city, and we’ve seen programmers, librarians, and community organisers supporting Takatāpui and Rainbow communities year-round. To Jess, Divya, Rachel, Katie, Moana and the wider Pride Fest Out West Team–ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa. And to all the Proud Centres, we want to acknowledge the incredible ongoing work they do in ensuring localised responses for our communities and providing safe gathering spaces for everyone to come together.

Our  Open Access programme continues to be one of the largest in the country with over 110 events, and we’re proud to see so many event organisers registering their events and contributing to our collective impact. Pride belongs to the people and through your initiative we are able to experience a wide array of talents, stories, learnings and change. Thank you all.

We want to celebrate the Pride Empowerment recipients who showed up in such diverse and meaningful ways for their communities. From disc golf tournaments in Henderson to employment workshops in South Side, from club nights on Karangahape to community-building exhibitions in Sandringham—these recipients embody the diverse identities of Tāmaki Makaurau’s Takatāpui and Rainbow communities. And we thank you for the grassroots organising you do within and outside of the Auckland Pride Festival.

To our Pride Elevates companies—Brady Peeti’s What Happened To Mary-Anne?, Xin Ji’s Body Story, and Jon Jon Tolovae’s Mā—thank you all for trusting us and showing such vulnerability in crafting pieces that speak to the heart of our liberation, the alchemy of our bodies, the safety of our families—both chosen and blood—and the individual revolutions we can create from our own magic as Queer People.

We’d also like to take a moment to thank Burnett Foundation Aotearoa for allowing us the opportunity to produce the Thirst Trap Ball, and The House of Givenchy for programming this extraordinary event. To the Ballroom Community, and particularly the dolls, your constant push for cultural innovation, your vision, and your tenacity continue to inspire and transform our city and our festival. You are cultural leaders, and we are all better for your contributions.

In deep gratitude, we want to acknowledge Whaea Neke Moa, Whaea Paula Conrad and Louie Zalk-Neale for opening our festival with Te Tīmatanga: Mana Tipua Tuku Iho, reminding us that we are all born of the earth and the stars, and that our duty is to preserve and care for ourselves, and our relations - particularly our more than human relations. Ka whati te tī, ka wana te tī, ka rito te tī.

As we have seen, in policy, in the actions of this month, and the ongoing global rhetoric we are facing; our adversaries are well organised. And so we must be too.

If you believe in the work we’re doing, if you want to see how Auckland Pride will continue to be here for you, now is the time to take action. Become a member. Donate regularly. Feed into the ongoing legacy and whakapapa of this organisation. Come to our AGM in August and help us organise and advocate to Local Boards, corporate sponsors, and other rainbow organisations.

Auckland Pride is a taumata—a fertile ground that can never be silenced, intimidated, or erased. We endure, and we cannot do it without you. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa, and thank you for being part of our whānau today and everyday and we can’t wait to see you regularly and work hand in hand with you as members creating an Aotearoa where Takatāpui and Rainbow Communities are thriving, liberated and connected.

Kia harikoa tātou katoa i tēnei wā whakahirahira.
Kia tau te rangimārie

Auckland Pride

Thanks to our Festival Partner, Abstract Hotel, we are giving away a voucher for a one-night stay for two people including a three-course dinner and full cooked breakfast.

To enter, please fill out the survey below, and make sure you are following @aucklandpride and @abstract_hotel on Instagram for an additional entry.

The winner will be drawn on 5 May 2025.

COMPLETE THE SURVEY HERE