Kia ora,

Ngā Uri E! Descendants of a Movement reminded us that Pride is not just one event, moment, or a single generation. It is a movement built by many hands, carried forward by those who show up. There were over 230 events across Tāmaki Makaurau for the Festival this year, thank you for showing up alongside us throughout February. Please help us grow and develop Auckland Pride by giving us your thoughts and fill out the survey here.

To say thanks, we're giving away $100 Crushes vouchers to two wonderful folks who fill out this survey. Leave your details at the end of the survey to be in the draw! Winners will be drawn and contacted on May 4th!

We can't wait to weave more threads into the fold of our collective movement together, so continue to show up and join us as a member to be in the loop of what's coming up.

Te Tīmatanga rose as a collective force this year to open the Festival under the Wheke Fortress powerhouse, Coco Solid in collaboration with Man(k)ila, Allie Howell, Latamai Katoa, Takatapunani and Pounamu Rurawhe. Bringing their mātauranga from Kura Raumati to the silver screen, we got to immerse in the short film Urban Taniwha, promising a future designed and led by Rangatahi Māori.

Pride Connects returned with ANITO, co-created by the incomparable Justin Talplacido Shoulder alongside the extraordinary Wikitoria Hunt and the Future Folklore Collective. ANITO reimagines Filipino mythologies through dance-theatre, diasporic club cultures, projections, sound design and elaborate craft. Connecting with our emerging local artists, Justin and Wikitoria led Future Folklore Lab, cross-cultural workshops at Te Oro, extending the learning and deepening connections across Indigenous and diaspora artists in our city. Jason Cross, Director of Insite Arts, also hosted workshop offers producers dedicated time and space to explore their own pathways while learning from Jason’s extensive industry experience.

For the first time ever, Auckland Pride and Splore joined forces to honour the Splore’s iconic queer Saturday. PrideXSplore was a guided gateway to queer summer and unlocked access for rainbow whānau and make space for more of us to experience the final Splore in all its magic.

Vector Lights returned for year two of our three-year partnership — and this time, the multi-disciplinary artist Mars Cook guided the wairua of the Harbour Bridge and transformed the bridge into a beacon of queer defiance and hope, honouring forty years since Homosexual Law Reform while imagining our next forty.

Proud Centres, the heartbeat of the Festival, once again stood firm this Festival with over 130 events across the city. From affirmation badge making, to book clubs, to low sensory plays for tamariki, to line dancing, there was something for everybody. E mihi ana to Auckland Council Arts and Culture, and library and community centre kaimahi as well as community event organisers for space-making and for lighting up the city so meaningfully.

Proud Centres artwork by Sara Moana.

Our Open Access event organisers and audience affirmed the notion that our collective movement rests upon and is carried forward by many hands. Ngā mihi maioha for ensuring that our grassroots whakapapa is continuously traced, and the vibrancy of our communities remains colourful.

We closed the Auckland Pride Festival 2026 with Out of the Gutter in the heart of our gaybourhood, Myers Park. Embodying the theme Ngā Uri E!, five generations gathered, grounded, danced, reflected, and celebrated the 40th year anniversary of Homosexual Law Reform as well as honoured our kuīni and elders. Head to this webpage and look at the recap of Out of the Gutter and listen to the kōrero tuku iho from our rangatira.

And that's our Auckland Pride Festival 2026, whānau! Tell us your thoughts, and help us grow and build towards 2027. Stay in the loop, join us as a member and continue to show up and be part of the interconnected movements across the motu.

Ngā uri e!