Tauranga waterfront was transformed into a colourful and vibrant hub of celebration
of diversity and inclusiveness during the inaugural Tauranga Moana Pride Picnic.
More than 500 people attended the picnic on Saturday, many of whom were dressed in rainbow costumes, wearing colourful capes, wigs and leis and rainbow facepaint for a fun afternoon of entertainment, live music, games, and other activities.
Eve Tregerthan and Karen Moses have been a couple for 23 years.
"This is an amazing event and long overdue. I'd like to see it held every year and hope it does help change other people's negative attitudes," Tregerthan said.
Event organising crew member Lee Lucas said the Pride Picnic was about creating more visibility of the LGBTQI (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, queer and intersex) community in Tauranga, and to recognise their rights.
Lucas said the event was a chance for all people to embrace the key message that everyone has a right to be who they are, and not be judged or ostracised.
Uniformed police were also at the picnic.
Inspector Stu Nightingale said the police appreciated being invited.
"We had great conversations with members of our rainbow community, and they need to know like everyone else they are valued members of this community."
Guest speaker Labour MP for Manurewa Louisa Wall, whose 2013 bill legalised same-sex marriage, kicked off the event with a warm welcome and a walk along The Strand.
Wall was buzzing when asked to share her thoughts about the Pride event.
"This event provides an opportunity for our LGBTIQ community to come together, to celebrate, and honour what it means to be LGBTIQ in a sense of family and community."
"Our young people need to know they are perfect. They were born perfect and there is nothing wrong with them. Events like this provide them with the resilience and the courage to be who they are and know they have nothing to ashamed of," she said.
As the crowd chanted, Seymour walked back into the Beehive with his MPs.