Auckland Pride Festival Incorporated
Media Release

Wednesday 23 July


Major events funding confirmed for Auckland Pride Parade for 2015/2016

The Auckland Pride Parade will feature in Auckland’s major events calendar for the next two years, thanks to support from Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) on behalf of Auckland Council.

Funding for the Auckland Pride Parade in 2015 and 2016 was recently confirmed by ATEED as part of its Major Events Portfolio.

Auckland Pride Festival Incorporated Co-chair, Megan Cunningham-Adams, says ATEED’s support is a real vote of confidence in Pride.

“It speaks volumes about the future potential of the Parade as a vehicle for expression and celebration for our Rainbow Community,” says Cunningham-Adams.

ATEED’s sponsorship of the Auckland Pride Festival aligns with Auckland’s Major Events Strategy, delivering both social and economic benefits to the city.

ATEED Chief Executive, Brett O’Riley, says ATEED is delighted to support the Pride Parade, which has helped establish Auckland as a vibrant events city.

“The Pride Parade has quickly established itself as an important event for Aucklanders and visitors to our city, and is a colourful celebration of our diverse Rainbow Community.

“Events like the Pride Parade contribute towards our vision of creating the world’s most liveable city, and we look forward to watching it go from strength to strength.”

The Auckland Pride Festival and Parade was one of 47 applicants to ATEED’s Major Events Baseline Portfolio for 2014-2015.

Auckland Pride Festival and Parade 2015 Dates Announced

Auckland Pride Festival Incorporated is delighted to announce the dates for next year’s Auckland Pride Festival 2015.

The annual programme of events for New Zealand’s Rainbow Community (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Takatãpui, Intersex and Fa’afafine) will be lengthened by one week in 2015 to accommodate the increasing number of events that are proud to be featured within the Festival.

The Auckland Pride Festival 2015 will commence on Friday 6 February and will conclude on Sunday 1 March. Now established as a landmark Auckland event, the Auckland Pride Parade 2015 will return to Ponsonby Road on Saturday 21 February.

The Festival will officially open with a Waitangi Day Dawn Ceremony on Friday 6 February and the glittering Auckland Pride Gala at Q Theatre on Saturday 7 February. The ever-popular LYC Big Gay Out has been confirmed for Sunday 8 February at Coyle Park in Point Chevalier. Internationally renowned Bear New Zealand Week 2015 will run from Sunday 8 to Sunday 15 February. The Heroic Gardens Festival 2015 takes place on the weekend of 14 and 15 February. The Festival will close with the much-loved PROUD Party on Saturday 28 February.

Dates are also being discussed for the return of the inspirational, United States Embassy funded Youth Leaders Conference, NXT:15, among other favourite Festival events.

Auckland Pride Festival Incorporated will continue its work with Rainbow Communities throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, the Pacific and beyond to facilitate participation in the 2015 Festival and Parade.

"We know that Auckland is a hub for our Rainbow sisters and brothers from around the country and from the South Pacific region, especially those from places which are less tolerant of diversity and differing sexual orientations and identities," says newly appointed board member Phylesha Brown-Acton. "We want to embrace them and let them know that they are welcomed, they are celebrated and they are respected. Pride is not just a Parade and Festival, it is about enhancing the mana and wellbeing of our Rainbow Community."

New Board Members Appointed to Auckland Pride Festival Inc.
Auckland Pride Festival Incorporated is pleased to announce the appointment of four new Board members – Phylesha Brown-Acton, Heather Carnegie, Daniel Mussett and Paul Patton.
Born of Niuean decent and raised in Auckland Central, Phylesha Brown-Acton is a “proud Aucklander and promoter of this great city” and a respected advocate for Pasefika LGBTQI communities.

“When I think of Pride, I think of people,” says Brown-Acton. “I think of the rich and diverse community we all belong to. People are what I am most passionate about, and this is what brings me to the Pride board, not only to support a great vision which embraces our Rainbow Community, but also to offer my skills to connect people through culture, identity and celebration.”

Brown-Acton has worked for LGBTQI communities regionally, nationally and internationally, for over two decades. She currently manages a support service developed for Pasefika LGBTQI peoples and their families.

Heather Carnegie is a previous executive member of GABA (Gay Auckland Business Association), overseeing events including the GABA Glamstand at this year’s Auckland Pride Parade. Carnegie has strong relationships throughout New Zealand’s Rainbow Community, having run LGBT businesses such as Footsteps Nightclub in Auckland and Glamz! Cabaret in Hamilton. She is also the proud winner of a gold medal in sparring and a bronze medal in self-defence at the 2002 Sydney Gay Games.

Daniel Musset is active in the institutional investment community and currently heads up the New Zealand consulting division of a global investment services firm. He consults to the boards of large investment funds nationwide and has published on both strategic investment issues and governance. Daniel has had wide-ranging involvement in the not-for-profit sector since he was a teenager. He brings management experience, strategic thinking, an emphasis on inclusion and diversity, and a sense of fun to the Pride Board.

Paul Patton is an experienced strategic PR and brand professional, having worked for 25 years as a consultant and in-house communications director in the UK and New Zealand. He was recognised for his communication work for Manchester Pride by being awarded an Institute of Public Relations Silver Award for the Best Charity or Not For Profit Campaign. Paul is looking to engage his communications skills and experience to help make Pride 2015 an even better experience for the whole community.

Auckland Pride Festival Incorporated congratulates and welcomes its new Board members onto the team. “We are thrilled to have attracted applicants of such a high professional calibre and proven community experience,” says Megan Cunningham-Adams, current Board Co-Chair. “There is no doubt that their input will help raise the bar for 2015!”

Auckland Pride Festival Incorporated wishes to thank outgoing Board members David Coltman, Andy Jalfon and Gurv Singh. Linda Heavey will also step down as Treasurer to take up a non-voting advisory role, representing the Board as part of the Auckland Pride Festival management team.

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