Leadership transition reflects Auckland Pride’s commitment to nurturing pathways, intergenerational leadership and community-led change

Auckland Pride today announces the appointment of Blaise Clotworthy as its new Executive Director, succeeding Hāmiora Bailey whose leadership over the past five years has helped transform Auckland Pride into a stronger year-round organisation.

The appointment marks a significant moment for Auckland Pride as it continues to evolve its role as a year-round organisation supporting Takatāpui and Rainbow communities through arts, advocacy and community development. It also reflects the organisation’s commitment to fostering leadership pathways from within its own communities. 

As Auckland Pride moves into a strategic plan extending to 2031, its governance and organisational approach is guided by Te Niho Taniwha, a kawa developed by Te Rōpū Māori. Using the visual of the shark’s tooth, Te Niho Taniwha reflects a model of shared leadership, accountability and adaptability, where governance, staff, membership and community each hold distinct responsibilities in advancing the kaupapa.

This leadership transition reflects that approach in action, ensuring continuity while creating space for new leadership, ideas and opportunities for Takatāpui and Rainbow communities.

As such, this transition of leadership is done with care and consideration by both Clotworthy and Bailey, who look to continue the momentum that Auckland Pride has been building during their tenures and the new actions that will be taken as this next phase in Auckland Pride’s evolution.

The transition comes as Auckland Pride marks the 40th anniversary of Homosexual Law Reform in Aotearoa and celebrates this year’s Festival theme, Ngā Uri E!, which honours the generations of activists, artists and organisers who have shaped Takatāpui and Rainbow life in Aotearoa.

Formerly Auckland Pride’s Partnership Manager, Clotworthy brings extensive experience across performance, event production, community sector leadership at Burnett Foundation Aotearoa, and Auckland Pride itself, where they most recently served as Partnership Manager. 

“As a trans person, assuming a leadership role in a time where we are being systemically invisibilised, I am deeply humbled to continue working with the incredible team at Auckland Pride to embed and sustain the legacies that have preceded us. This work is always informed by and in service to the many voices and lived experiences that inhabit our collective movement” says Blaise Clotworthy.

Takatāpui and Rainbow people are visionary artists, advocates, storytellers and leaders. I am dedicated to walking alongside their rangatiratanga and motuhaketanga. We descend from movements established by our forbears for visibility, equity and belonging - Gay Liberation in 1972, Homosexual Law Reform in 1986, Civil Union rights in 2004, Same-sex marriage in 2013, Conversion practices prohibition in 2022, the many people living with HIV and AIDS for over 40 years whose legacies are embedded in the ways we love one another, and those who continue to rally and organise behind our transgender and intersex communities. It is our collective histories that underpin my commitment to leading Auckland Pride initiatives for our communities to gather, connect, develop their skills, tell their stories and lead in ways that honour the intergenerational impact of our collective strength, resistance and hope.

Departing Executive Director Hāmiora Bailey leaves the role after guiding a period of significant organisational development, including strengthening Auckland Pride’s kaupapa Māori foundations and embedding Te Tīmatanga, Pride Connects and Pride Elevates as cornerstones of the Auckland Pride Festival. Bailey joined Auckland Pride as Kaiwhakahaere Takatāpui and has played a key role in helping establish the organisation’s strategic direction and embedding Māori-led leadership, storytelling, and partnerships across the sector. Now, in keeping with the values of Te Niho Taniwha, Bailey now steps into a new phase of leadership and service with his own people, for Hauraki. His journey demonstrates how leadership can move between communities, organisations and generations while remaining grounded in collective responsibility and the role that Takatāpui, Mahu, Pou Tiritiriao, Ira Rere and Ira Whiti have within their whanau, hapū and iwi. 

“The work has always been about creating pathways for others to lead. During my tenure, Auckland Pride significantly increased its funding base, expanded its artistic and community programming, and grew from a small festival-focused organisation into a stronger year-round organisation with increased staffing, specialist expertise and community impact. 

As I step away from this role, I do so with immense confidence in the people, systems and kaupapa that will continue to guide Auckland Pride forward. The strength of an organisation is measured not by any one individual, but by its ability to nurture future generations of leaders, and I am excited to see Auckland Pride continue to evolve under Blaise’s leadership.”

Auckland Pride Board Chair Katy Thomas says the appointment reflects the organisation’s commitment to long-term leadership development and community succession.

"Auckland Pride has been shaped by the people who have built it, carried it forward, and helped define its direction. That work has created clear focus and strong capability, supporting the delivery of its kaupapa and future direction. It has also enabled us to grow leadership from within.

Hāmiora’s leadership has played an important role in this development, shaping the organisation’s direction and guiding its growth into a year-round organisation with a clear strategic focus.

Blaise steps into the Executive Director role with proven leadership within Auckland Pride and across the sector. They are already recognised as a respected leader across the arts, events and Rainbow sectors, bringing trusted relationships, strategic insight and a deep understanding of Auckland Pride's kaupapa.

We move forward with clarity and purpose, continuing to support artists and advocates to develop, present, and preserve work that reflects our communities across Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa, and internationally. This next chapter is about building on what has been created and carrying that work forward with intention alongside Takatāpui and Rainbow communities."

As Auckland Pride looks ahead, its focus remains on strengthening year-round opportunities for artistic, cultural and community leadership, while ensuring Takatāpui and Rainbow communities continue to shape the future of the organisation and the wider sector.