Audio from the Wellington Pride Parade 2025. The parade was held on Saturday 8 March 2025, starting at 5pm. Parade participants gathered in Tennyson Street, and headed into Cambridge Terrace before starting the parade in Courtenay Place. The parade travelled along Courtenay Place and into Dixon Street, before ending at the Rainbow Crossing at the intersection of Dixon and Cuba Streets. A small group of Destiny Church supporters protested the parade by performing a haka at the Taranaki Street intersection. A similar protest had occurred a month earlier at Auckland's Rainbow Parade.
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The Wellington Pride Parade 2025, held on 8 March in the capital city’s central district, was a vibrant and powerful celebration of Aotearoa New Zealand’s rainbow communities. Drawing together participants from diverse backgrounds, the event served not only as a joyful march through the heart of Wellington but also as a meaningful reflection of the progress, resilience, and ongoing challenges faced by rainbow communities across the country.
The parade route followed Courtenay Place into Dixon Street, concluding at the symbolic Rainbow Crossing on the corner of Dixon and Cuba Streets. This year’s gathering was marked by heightened awareness of recent social tensions, particularly following disruptive protests at Auckland’s Rainbow Parade, and organisers implemented a deliberate focus on safety, peace, and mana-enhancing responses to any potential opposition.
Among the many voices featured in the event’s extensive audio coverage were community members, activists, public servants, and representatives of cultural and faith-based organisations. One of the parade’s key messages was inclusivity across all identities, emphasising the intersectionality within rainbow communities. Notably, intersex visibility was given prominence, with Intersex Trust Aotearoa New Zealand (ITANZ) marching at the front of the parade.
Dykes on Bikes returned with enthusiasm, symbolising grassroots pride and long-standing commitment to visibility and solidarity. Participants noted the parade's evolution over the years, celebrating its ability to maintain a local, accessible atmosphere while growing in organisation and diversity.
Organisational representation included a wide range of sectors. Woolworths New Zealand and Transpower were among corporate allies present, alongside Wellington City Council and governmental groups such as the Cross-Agency Rainbow Network (CARN) and public service leaders. These entities underscored their commitment to inclusive workplaces, often referencing initiatives like the Rainbow Tick accreditation and internal support networks for queer employees.
Cultural diversity was also strongly represented. Indian Origin Pride New Zealand brought vibrant colour, dance, and heritage to the streets, while Hineni, the Jewish rainbow group from Wellington, marched in defiance of both antisemitism and queerphobia, promoting co-existence and solidarity. The Dutch and Irish embassies participated as international allies, reinforcing global support for LGBTQIA+ rights.
Youth involvement was prominent through groups such as InsideOUT Kōaro and Kāhui Irarau from Massey University. These organisations highlighted the importance of visibility for young people, especially within educational institutions. Many youth shared personal stories about finding connection, support, and empowerment through participation.
Accessibility was a core focus for the 2025 parade. Grandstands and low-sensory environments were provided to ensure the event was inclusive for disabled and neurodiverse attendees. The importance of community care and ensuring everyone could participate safely was echoed throughout the planning and execution of the parade.
Spiritual and historical connections to rainbow identity were also present. Rev. Jean Malcolm and members of St. Peter’s Church carried pride flags and reflected on the legacy of inclusive faith-based activism, dating back to Rev. Godfrey Wilson’s landmark sermon in 1967.
The mood throughout the event was celebratory and defiant. Participants consistently spoke of pride not just as a festival, but as a necessary act of resistance in a world where queer and trans lives are increasingly under threat. From drag performers and community choirs like The Glamaphones to volunteer bakers distributing treats, every group and individual contributed to a sense of shared joy and collective strength.
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.
Voices
Alex Geenty Anna Simpson Ard van der Vorst Arrun Soma Craig Watson Emily Bathgate Gaye Searancke Glen Bennett Halcy Thomas Hamish Allardice Jen Wilde Jo Maxwell Peter Mersi Phil Rogers Quinn Cassidy Rachael Archer Rev. Jean Malcolm Sandra Marekino Shanan Halbert Sian Quennell Torrington Tabby Besley Tania Penafiel Yuval Zalk-Neale
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2020s, accessibility, alex geenty, allies, ambassador, amsterdam, anna simpson, aotearoa new zealand, ard van der vorst, arrun soma, auckland, auckland pride festival, australia, baking, baron hasselhoff (wellington), brian tamaki, christchurch, church, covid-19 (coronavirus), craig watson, cricket, cricket wellington, cross agency rainbow network (carn), destiny church, different strokes wellington (dsw), disability, donald trump, downer group nz, downtown community ministry (dcm), dykes on bikes, electric vehicle, emily bathgate, equality, fear, gay, gaye searancke, gaza, glen bennett, godfrey wilson, good bitches bakers, haka, halcy thomas, hamish allardice, hineni (wellington), homophones (wellington), hugo grrrl, hīkoi, inclusion, indian origin pride new zealand, insideout kōaro, intersex, intersex flag, intersex trust aotearoa new zealand (itanz), intersex visibility, isle of man, israel, jen wilde, jewish community, jo maxwell, judaism, kāhui irarau (massey university), lesbian, lilly loudmouth, malcolm kennedy-vaughan, mana whenua, marriage equality, morgan carpenter, mount victoria, nate rowe, netherlands, non-binary, palestine, papa pounamu public service, peter mersi, phil rogers, pride, queer at council (wcc), queer straight alliance (qsa), quilted bananas (wellington access radio), quinn cassidy, rachael archer, rachel hyde, rainbow tick, rainbow wellington, rev. jean malcolm, rugby, safety, safety plan, sandra marekino, scott kennedy, scouts, scouts aotearoa, shanan halbert, sian quennell torrington, sport, st mary of the angels, st peter's church, swimming, sydney, sydney mardi gras, tabby besley, takatāpui, tania penafiel, team auckland masters swimmers (tams), tel aviv, tennyson street, the glamaphones, the tiwhas, tory whanau, trans, transgender, tu chapman, tīwhanawhana, veganism, vinegar hill / putai ngahere domain, wellington, wellington city council, wellington indian pride, wellington international airport, wellington pride, wellington pride festival (2025), wellington pride parade (2025), wellington rugby, willy smack'n tush, women's refuge, woolworths new zealand, yuval zalk-neale