The once-embattled Auckland Pride board has finally confirmed details for its replacement of the Pride Parade after sponsors pulled their funding and support.
The colourful and playful parade down Ponsonby Road is being replaced by a more low-key "march of togetherness" starting in the late afternoon with a route from Albert Park, along Queen Street and into Aotea Square in Auckland's CBD.
It will be 4.30pm on February 9.
The board sparked outcries when it banned police from marching in the Pride Parade in uniform.
Announcing details of its replacement today, the board says police have had to grant consent and "assist with logistics".
A bitter split in the Rainbow Community has put one of the biggest events on the LGBTQI calendar under threat. John Campbell looks at both sides of the debate, and at the historic events leading up to the current tension.
It says the Albert Park location is a nod to LGBTI+ history because it’s the site of the country’s first gay liberation protest in 1972.
The board says its march is for anyone in the LGBTI+ community and "those who share the kaupapa" of the Auckland Pride Festival.
Vodafone, NZME, BNZ, ANZ, Westpac, Fletcher Building, SkyCity, The Rainbow New Zealand Charitable Trust and the Ponsonby Road Business Association all pulled their support after the police uniform ban.
The New Zealand Defence Force also chose to not participate.
The board survived a no-confidence vote in early December after its controversial decision, with 325 votes against 273.
By Kim Baker Wilson
SHARE ME