Auckland Pride Board reincarnates parade as walk

Thursday, 17 January 2019

The parade became mired in controversy when police were banned from marching in uniform. (Video first published in Jan 2019)

Auckland Pride Board has decided to ditch its Pride Parade plans in favour of a 'more inclusive' Pride walk.

The walk will take place on February 9, beginning at Albert Park in the central city and ending at Myers Park, Auckland Pride Board membership secretary Zakk d'Larté said.

'A parade is more of a visual spectacle where people can come and watch but this walk encourages everyone to participate and is more inclusive.'

The walk would still be a celebration and d'Larté said it would still be 'glittery, camp and full of costumes.'

* Auckland's Pride Parade reincarnated as a 'march'

* Defence Force won't take part in Pride after uniform ban**

At the end of 2018 several major corporate sponsors withdrew support from the annual parade after the board requested police not wear uniforms when participating in the event.

The decision was intended to encourage all members of the rainbow communities to feel safe and included in the event.

The board went on to survive a vote of no confidence and raised $30,000 in community donations towards the parade.

The Auckland Pride board's membership secretary Zakk d'Larté said the pride walk would be held on February 9.

Last week, d'Larté told Stuff although the parade was traditionally held in Ponsonby many Pride members felt alienated from the suburb and had called for this year's event to be held elsewhere.

The Pride board is waiting for Auckland Council and the police to approve final plans for the walk, d'Larté said.

Auckland Pride will run from February 1-17 and according to a media release from the Auckland Pride Board would 'celebrate the diversity of the rainbow experience in Tāmaki Makaurau and reconnect with communities across the region.'

The theme for Auckland Pride 2019 is #ourpride.