Auckland Pride Board ditches parade plans for a walk

Thursday, 17 January 2019, 9:58 am
Article: RNZ

Katie Scotcher, Reporter

The Auckland Pride Board has ditched its Pride Parade plans and has replaced the event with a Pride Walk across the city.

Photo: RNZ / Claire Eastham-Farrelly

Last month, a number of major corporate sponsors withdrew support from the annual parade after the board requested the police not wear uniforms at the event.

It said the decision was a compromise and was intended to encourage all members of the rainbow communities to feel safe and included in the event.

"Complaints about police consistently outnumbered feedback about any other institution or organisation," the board said at the time.

Read more:

• Pride and police: The history, issues and decisions behind the debate

• Auckland Pride Parade: 'We will reinvent the Gala'

• Auckland Pride Parade members vote to keep board

• Police dropped LGBTQI training two years ago, it has been revealed

The board went on to survive a vote of no confidence and raised $30,000 in community donations towards the parade.

The Pride Walk, which will take place on 6 February, will start at Albert Park in the central city and end at Myers Park.

RNZ understands the Auckland Pride Board is waiting for police to approve final plans for the event.

© Scoop Media

RNZ

New Zealand's public broadcaster, providing comprehensive NZ news and current affairs, specialist audio features and documentaries.

Radio New Zealand is a Crown entity established under the Radio New Zealand Act 1995. Radio New Zealand News are vital elements in our programming, providing impartial news and information to New Zealanders every day. Radio New Zealand (RNZ) provides listeners with exciting and independent radio programmes in accordance with the Radio New Zealand Charter.

Contact RNZ

• Website - www.radionz.co.nz
• Twitter - @rnz_news
• Facebook
• Link - Contact RNZ