Candlelight: Gay AIDS Candlelight Memorial public services was "to influence local and national policy makers." However, amongst around 170 people who gathered for the annual event at Auckland's St Matthew's in the City, political and health sector policymakers were noticeably thin on the ground. Only Community Board member and HIV activist Bruce Kilmister, plus NZ AIDS Foundation and other HIV support organisation heavyweights were present to hear the personal stories of suffering, courage and determination to defeat HIV. In past years the front pews of St Matthew's have frequently been packed solid with MPs, local body politicians and health sector movers and shakers. The Auckland evening also included a display of AIDS Memorial Quilts, addresses by HIV positive speakers and the Gay and Lesbian Singers capturing the mood with the soaring, ethereal The Quest Unending. An up-beat performance by African singers and dancers concluded the service. Hamilton fared better with National MP David Bennett and Labour MP Sue Moroney venturing out on a rainy night with 40 others. A highlight of the Hamilton ceremony was the lighting of candles which flickered in the darkness as the emotive voice of Patti LaBelle enveloped the gathering. In Wellington only gay labour MP Grant Robertson managed to absent himself from the House which has been sitting in urgency over the Auckland super city legislation, and, as was wryly noted in Auckland, is in a non-election year. Wellington-based NZAF Trust Board members also attended. Christchurch Labour MP Brendon Burns was amongst around 50 people who took part in the traditional highlight of the garden city's service, a solemn and emotional candlelight procession honouring those whose death HIV has hastened. A handful of Southlanders, almost outnumbered by local media, braved a bitterly cold night at the top of Bluff Hill. But no of the province's politicians or healthcare high-ups are reported to have joined them. Speakers around the country reminded those present at last night's events that 2008 saw the highest annual number of new HIV infections, 184, identified since since 1984. They urged greater resolve to contain the deadly virus. Short, somewhat anodyne messages from the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader and Governor General, none of whom attended any of the functions, were read out. In Auckland MC Steven Oates provided a cheering moment when he observed that the Pohutukawa tree planted with the names of many of those lost to the virus mingled amongst its roots, and which was a focus of last year's Candlelight Memorial service, is now "thriving" adjacent to the Circle Of Friends. Likewise, the replacement AIDS Memorial oak tree on Constitution Hill continues to be in good heart, unlike its predecessor which was vandalised.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 18th May 2009 - 12:05am