Prime Minister Bill English attends the Big Gay Out held at Coyle Park, Point Chevalier. Photo / Dean Purcell
The rainbow flags are out in force as hundreds of people gather in Auckland for this year's Big Gay Out.
The sun is shining at Coyle Park in Pt Chevalier after dark clouds threatened to spoil the day.
Rosie and Sylvia, surnames withheld, said they were enjoying the event, which they had attended many times before.
"It's getting bigger every year, and it's sunny but it's not too hot," Rosie said.
There are dozens of stalls offering food and clothing, with a number of political parties also setting up shop.
ACT leader David Seymour is in attendance, with Prime Minister Bill English and Labour leader Andrew Little also expected to attend.
English will be hoping to be more warmly received that his predecessor John Key was, after he was booed off stage at last year's event.
Auckland mayor Phil Goff posed for photos with those present, joined by councillors Cathy Casey and Richard Hills.
Green Party leader James Shaw was also at the vent. He said his party had a "pretty clear track record" of standing with the LGBT community.
He also said the Greens were committed to eradicating HIV from New Zealand by 2025.
"There's a tonne of work that still needs to happen for this community, particularly in public health."
Labour leader Andrew Little was questioned on stage by Suzanne Paul.
Little said Labour backs the New Zealand AIDS Foundation's campaign to end HIV in New Zealand.
He congratulated the government on the expunging of convictions related to homosexuality.
"When the Crown historically gets it wrong... it shouldn't be above us to say we got it wrong and say sorry.
"Labour has always been there for the gay community," he said.
He was joined on stage by a number of Labour Party MPs, including Louisa Wall and Jacinda Ardern.
'He was such a nice chap. He had a word for everybody.'