Ta'i Patai Auckland Pride Festival Incorporated has formally announced Teokotai (Ta’i) Paitai as Festival Director and Everall Deans as Festival Coordinator. The 2015 Auckland Pride Festival runs from Friday 6 February till Sunday 1 March. Inaugural Festival Director Julian Cook resigned last month. The newly-hired pair will begin work immediately. The Pride board says they will be focused on "completing and coordinating the rich and diverse programme of Auckland Pride Festival events around flagship events already announced". “We are very pleased to have people of Ta’i and Everall's calibre on board for 2015 and we invite everyone to join us in welcoming them in their new roles," says co-chair Daniel Mussett. Paitai is a born and bred Ponsonby local of Cook Island heritage. The Board says he has an extensive background in arts and events management, "which has given him the skills, networks and aptitude needed for the diverse role of Auckland Pride Festival Director". It says he is an experienced arts and events administrator and project manager, "with an illustrious dance background that has allowed him to move throughout the wide spectrum of the arts, notably theatre, film, opera and the visual arts. With strong connections to Pacific Island communities and their rainbow elements, Ta’i has served on numerous community boards and committees". Paitai says he is excited to be involved. “It is stories and events that celebrate, activate and unite us,” he says. “The programme builds on the hard work and passion of a lot of people, notably our previous Festival Director, Julian Cook, who I would like to acknowledge for his vision and commitment. This Festival is for all of the rainbow community, so mark your calendars, get involved and most importantly come along and celebrate.” Everall Deans Festival Co-ordinator Everall Deans is from the Caribbean, but has been living in New Zealand for more than 15 years. The board says he has successfully managed his own hospitality business on Karangahape Road and has run several high profile events, including the Out Takes Festival in 2013 and 2014. "I've always had a keen interest in Auckland Pride and am excited at the opportunity of getting involved," he says. “I'm especially drawn to fresh and original ideas and that's what I aim to bring to the festival." Deans currently sits on the Out Takes Film Festival subcommittee in Auckland, manages a number of events for the Auckland Heritage Festival while also working part-time for the Ponsonby Business Association.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 9th December 2014 - 11:39am