Production Details: 001013_MIX_pride_parade_speeches.wav

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irn8001
master_filename001013_MIX_pride_parade_speeches.wav
master_md5D938EE5A1659C5F6652325BD25C2CB40
master_duration23:56
master_sample_rate44.1 kHz
master_bit_depth16 bit
master_channels1
media_reference001013
media_sourcePrideNZ.com
copyright_positionIn copyright
copyright_ownershipGareth Watkins (PrideNZ.com)
copyright_ownership_note
submitted_to_nlnz
public_urlhttps://www.pridenz.com/wellington_pride_parade_2025_opening_speeches.html
meta_urlhttps://www.pridenz.com/data/media/meta/8001.html
plain_text_urlhttps://www.pridenz.com/plaintext/wellington_pride_parade_2025_opening_speeches.txt
production_date08-03-2025
production_day08
production_month03
production_year2025
recording_typeEvent
seriesWellington Pride Festival 2025
sub_series
titleWellington Pride Parade 2025 - opening speeches
descriptionAudio from the opening of the Wellington Pride Parade 2025. The opening speeches and waiata took place on the corner of Courtenay Place and Cambridge Terrace, Wellington at 5pm on Saturday 8 March 2025. Details. 00:01 - Mana whenua. 01:42 - Mōteatea, Mana whenua. 03:42 - Nate Rowe, Mana whenua. 07:52 - Waiata, Tīwhanawhana. 09:05 - MC Jack Rainey, Wellington Pride Parade. 12:30 - Tory Whanau, Mayor of Wellington City. 14:26 - Jack Rainey. 14:52 - Ard van der Vorst, Netherlands Ambassador to New Zealand. 19:22 - Sevia Saviour Nua, Ngā Uri o Whiti Te Rā Mai Le Moana Trust. 20:00 - Waiata, Ngā Uri o Whiti Te Rā Mai Le Moana Trust.
summary_computer_generatedThe opening speeches at the Wellington Pride Parade 2025 set the tone for a vibrant and inclusive celebration of diversity, identity, and community. Held on the corner of Cambridge Terrace and Courtenay Place, Wellington, on 8 March 2025, the opening featured a series of powerful speeches, acknowledgements, and cultural performances that underscored the importance of visibility, unity, and ongoing advocacy for LGBTQIA+ rights. The event opened with a mihi and waiata, led by representatives of Te Atiawa Taranaki Whānui, grounding the gathering in the tikanga and history of the local iwi. Their words highlighted the resilience and interconnectedness of the community, drawing on the symbolism of Wellington’s fierce yet unifying winds. This was followed by a welcome from the Mayor of Wellington, Tory Whanau, who reaffirmed her commitment to supporting the rainbow community. She expressed pride in Wellington’s reputation as an inclusive city and pledged to continue advocating for the rights and protections of LGBTQIA+ individuals, with a particular emphasis on standing alongside transgender and non-binary whānau. A special tribute was given to the Grand Marshals of the parade—Scotty and Mal, long-time figures in Wellington’s LGBTQIA+ scene, and performers Willy Smack'n Tush and Lilly Loudmouth. These individuals were recognised for their dedication to fostering safe spaces and for their advocacy in shaping a more accepting and celebratory environment for all. Their contributions were described as legendary, with a lasting impact on the local rainbow community. Dutch Ambassador Ard van der Vorst took the stage to offer an international perspective on LGBTQIA+ rights and progress. Speaking both as a diplomat and as a member of the rainbow community, he reflected on his personal journey, recalling his first Pride in Amsterdam 35 years earlier. He spoke about the Netherlands’ pioneering role in marriage equality while acknowledging that work remains to be done, particularly in banning harmful conversion practices. His message reinforced the idea that Pride is not just a celebration but an ongoing movement for justice and equality worldwide. Throughout the event, acknowledgements were made to the organisers, volunteers, and performers who helped bring the Wellington Pride Festival together. Representatives from Ngā Uri o Whiti Te Rā Mai Le Moana Trust shared their voices through waiata, adding to the richness of the gathering. The speeches carried a strong message of resilience and defiance in the face of ongoing challenges. Speakers reminded the crowd that while progress has been made, the fight for true equality continues. Discrimination and prejudice persist, both locally and internationally, making it essential for allies and community members alike to remain steadfast in their advocacy. The event served as both a celebration of identity and an act of resistance against forces that seek to undermine the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals. The opening of Wellington Pride Parade 2025 was a powerful reminder of the significance of Pride as more than just a parade—it is a statement of existence, a call for action, and a moment to honour those who have paved the way.
interviewer
voicesArd van der Vorst; Jack Rainey; Nate Rowe; Ngā Uri o Whiti Te Rā Mai Le Moana Trust; Sevia Saviour Nua (Saviiey); Tīwhanawhana; Tory Whanau
tags2020s; mōteatea; waiata; Amsterdam; Aotearoa New Zealand; Courtenay Place; Ngā Uri o Whiti Te Rā Mai Le Moana Trust; Tīwhanawhana; Wellington Pride; Wellington Pride Festival; Wellington Pride Festival (2025); Wellington Pride Parade (2025); Ard van der Vorst; Jack Rainey; Lilly Loudmouth; Malcolm Kennedy-Vaughan; Nate Rowe; Scott Kennedy; Sevia Saviour Nua (Saviiey); Tory Whanau; Willy Smack'n Tush
tags_computer_generatedgay; drag; Kira; Wellington; support; Netherlands; elders; scene; legacy; community; language; discrimination; diversity; equality; fear; trust; love; queer; visibility; leadership; ancestors; compassion; difference; peace; spaces; rainbow; freedom; fun; kapa haka; awards; running; guidance; change; haka; iwi; power; trans; tikanga; celebration; struggle; defiance; other; hospital; soul; strength; future; work; resilience; Job; mayor; Space; People; time; Wellington region; Nate; ambassador; poi; conversion practices; movement; advocacy; promise; orange
location_nameCourtenay Place
locationCourtenay Place
broader_locationWellington
location_lat-41.29339757917123
location_long174.78114682513646
precise_localityfalse