8 March 2019
Capital painting the town red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet
Wellington will be painting the town red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet to celebrate the rainbow
community with an up-coming fortnight of events and activities all over the capital.
There’ll be two weeks of events, performances and activities organised by groups within the community, including the
always popular queer fair Out in the Park, followed by the Pride Parade on Saturday 16 March.
The 2019 festival coincides with the ILGA World Conference, where members of the LGBTQIA+ community from all around Aotearoa and the world will gather at the Michael Fowler
Centre from 18-22 March.
Mayor Justin Lester is proud that Wellington celebrates and embraces its diversity.
“The capital has always been a strong supporter of the Pride movement, and the next fortnight will really showcase the
vibrancy, creativity, multi-cultural, and inclusive nature of our queer community, its friends and supporters,” says the
Mayor.
Councillor Nicola Young, Wellington City Council’s Arts Portfolio lead, has been involved in the festival as a member of
the Wellington International Pride Parade Board.
“The rainbow community has a colourful history, but despite priding ourselves on Wellington’s inclusiveness, there are
still members of our society who are discriminated against.
“The Pride Festival is a great opportunity to celebrate and be open about our differences, our identity, our challenges,
and our alliances.”
Saturday 16 March kicks-off with Out in the Park in Te Ngākau Civic Square from 10.30am. There’ll be fun, festivities,
and it’ll be quite the drag! Highlight of the day is always the absolutely pawsitively Pooches in Park, starting at 2pm.
Followed by the Pride Parade. Now in its third year, the theme is FIRE: ahi - hei whakaatu i to hiahia mo to hapori |
ignite your passion for your community.
Starting at 6pm on Tennyson Street, the parade will make its way through Wellington’s Courtenay Place area, concluding
at the waterfront adjacent Mac’s Brewery.
Spectators can line the streets and join in the celebrations with the parade participants, consisting of a diverse range
of floats and walking groups.
ENDS