Pride and progress: Auckland Pride Parade takes to the streets

Saturday, 25 February 2017

Glitter and stilettos were in abundance as the annual Auckland Pride Parade rolled through Ponsonby on Saturday night.

Gay rugby players, police dogs wrapped in rainbow scarves, and more than 50 floats made their way down Ponsonby Rd from 7.30pm, starting near Tole St at the northern end and finishing just past Western Park.

The parade, a celebration of the country's gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, takatapui, fa'afafine, intersex and queer communities, is the penultimate event of this year's Auckland Pride Festival.

Great to see the NZ Falcons rugby team out at force at the @AucklandPride festival tonight! #AucklandPride 🌈👍🏉 pic.twitter.com/8t25Fc0hgG

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) February 25, 2017

It was followed by an after party at Studio in K Rd, which was expected to run until about 5am.

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The theme for the 2017 event was 'Pride and Progress'.

It was intended to celebrate social changes and cultural achievements, while turning the spotlight on issues 'that obstruct our march towards full equality', the organisers said.

Getting ready to march at the Auckland Pride Parade. #LoveWins #AucklandPride pic.twitter.com/DiCELmDZ2a

— Amnesty New Zealand (@AmnestyNZ) February 25, 2017

Parade-goer Zara Makkink said she originally got involved with the event as a volunteer in 2016.

She decided to return as a spectator this year.

'Initially I think I just wanted to help out and then I realised it's really nice to not have to feel ashamed about being who I am,' she said.

'It's not an experience I'm used to, so it's quite cool, actually getting to show off [who I am].'

Ciara Moynihan, from Ireland, said it was her first Pride event.

'It's such a buzz - it's really infectious, I love it.'

A Fire Service was called in at the start of the parade to assist with a small blaze in the engine of a vehicle towing the Air New Zealand float.

The vehicle was stopped at the intersection of Ponsonby Rd and Tole St, a spokesman said.

@dannews More smoke than fire #GayPride #SoHotRightNow pic.twitter.com/q8m7AaDjUh

— Avspook (@avspook) February 25, 2017

The fire was quickly extinguished.