Kāpiti Gay PrideNZ 2022 retrospective

The 2022 Kāpitī Gay PrideNZ retrospective, recorded for Coast Access Radio in January 2023, offers an insightful overview of key events and individuals who shaped Aotearoa New Zealand’s rainbow communities during the year. Hosted by Tony Reed, the broadcast features a wide-ranging conversation with PrideNZ founder Gareth Watkins, highlighting significant moments and voices from across the country.

The year was marked by the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed many in-person Pride events until mid-year. Nevertheless, 2022 emerged as a vibrant year for community engagement and memory-making. One deeply symbolic initiative involved the installation of two memorial seats in Wellington to honour rainbow icons Carmen Rupe and Chrissy Witoko. Gareth and partner Roger Smith collaborated with the Wellington City Council to place the seats at the intersection of Cuba and Vivian Streets, a nod to the legacy of LGBTQ+ hospitality in the city. Jacquie Grant, a friend of both Carmen and Chrissy, attended the unveiling and shared compelling stories from the 1960s, including the colourful history of the Doodle Inn, reputedly the city’s first topless restaurant.

Another key event celebrated was the Living in Colour Pride festival in Lower Hutt, a community-led initiative that coincided with Matariki, the Māori New Year. Organiser Cameron Kapua-Morrell spoke passionately about creating inclusive spaces for rangatahi (young people) and embedding kaupapa Māori values into Pride celebrations. The event not only showcased artistic performances and community stalls, but also conveyed messages of empowerment and belonging for rainbow communities living outside metropolitan centres.

The world’s “shortest Pride parade” in Paekākāriki, held annually during Labour Weekend, also featured prominently. The event captured a strong sense of community spirit and intergenerational pride. Among the parade participants were married couple Coral Trimmer and Sylvia Bagnall. In an interview recorded later, Coral, aged 92, recounted a powerful memory of meeting a Dutch World War II resistance hero who had emigrated to New Zealand. This narrative illustrated the lasting effects of trauma and the importance of preserving oral histories within rainbow communities.

The broadcast also addressed the controversial topic of hate speech and legislative reform. Watkins discussed the limitations of current protections in the Human Rights Act, which, at the time, did not extend to cover sexuality or gender identity. The programme revisited a 2017 sermon by Auckland pastor Logan Robertson, whose violently homophobic comments sparked outrage but were deemed legally permissible under current laws. Excerpts from interviews with politicians Nicola Willis, Jan Logie, and Stephen Berry revealed divergent views on the need for stronger hate speech legislation. While all condemned the pastor’s comments, they varied in their stance on legal restrictions versus free speech protections.

Further reflections were offered by veteran activist Ngahuia Te Awekotuku. Ngahuia urged ongoing vigilance, citing the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade in the United States as a stark reminder of how quickly rights can be eroded.

The retrospective concluded with a celebration of InsideOUT Kōaro, a national charity dedicated to creating safe and inclusive environments for rainbow youth. At its tenth anniversary event, Dr Elizabeth Kerekere spoke about the importance of intergenerational support and indigenous frameworks that honour diverse identities. Kerekere underscored the transformative power of everyday actions in shaping a more inclusive society and encouraged the next generation to continue building on the legacies of those who came before.

Altogether, the broadcast paints a rich picture of resilience, reflection, and renewal within Aotearoa’s rainbow communities. Through stories of activism, remembrance, celebration, and advocacy, the 2022 retrospective captures a year of both challenge and growth.

This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.

Cameron Kapua-Morrell Coral Trimmer Elizabeth Kerekere Gareth Watkins Jacquie Grant Jan Logie Logan Robertson Ngahuia Te Awekotuku Nicola Willis Stephen Berry Sylvia Bagnall Tony Reed

2020s, aotearoa new zealand, cameron kapua-morrell, chrissy witoko, chrissy witoko and carmen rupe memorial seats, coast access radio, community radio, coral trimmer, doodle inn, elizabeth kerekere, gareth watkins, jacquie grant, jan logie, kapiti coast district, kapiti gay (coast access radio), logan robertson, ngahuia te awekotuku, nicola willis, pridenz.com, radio, stephen berry, sylvia bagnall, tony reed

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