Julian Cook The Auckland Pride Festival Trust has confirmed what was fast becoming the worst-kept secret in the Queen City, that this year's inaugural Pride Festival organiser, Julian Cook, is to helm next year's event. Responding to questions from GayNZ.com Daily News the Trust's Megan Cunningham-Adams this morning advised: "I am very pleased to confirm that Julian Cook has agreed to be the 2014 Festival Director. We are also in the final stages of contract negotiations with the proposed Parade Co-ordinator." It is understood that the 2013 Pride Parade co-ordinator, Jonathan Smith, did not make himself available for next year's parade, which is the biggest undertaking of the Pride Festival. The Pride Festival receives significant funding from the Auckland Council through its ATEED events arm. Cunningham-Adams says details of negotiations between Pride and ATEED will be released within the next fortnight.