MEET
PRIDE WAIRAU
Pride Wairau is a volunteer based organisation founded to celebrate and advocating for ranibow communities in Te Waiharakeke (Blenheim) and the wider Wairau region.
Through an annual festival, featuring a diverse lineup of events aimed at promoting inclusivity, understanding, and unity. Pride Wairau fosters a truly united and equal community.
HE TANGATA, HE TANGATA, HE TANGATA
MISSION
We are dedicated to promoting visibility and education. By showcasing diverse identities and challenging stereotypes, we strive to normalise and value rainbow communities. Our initiatives focus on educating the broader public about rainbow issues, history and culture, aiming to dispel myths and foster a more compassionate community.
We work alongside organisations and local businesses, encouraging and empowering them to vocally express their allyship. Ensuring that each of these organisations have equality and diversity frameworks instilled in their kaupapa.
VISION
Our vision is a vibrant and inclusive community where every individual, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, is celebrated and empowered to live authentically. We envision a future where rainbow communities in Te Waiharakeke and the wider Wairau region are fully embraced, with barriers to acceptance and inclusion significantly reduced.
Through these efforts, we seek to build stronger connections within rainbow communities and takatāpui, encouraging solidarity and mutual support. Our goal is to inspire hope, promote acceptance, and work towards a future where every individual can live with pride and dignity.
MEET THE TEAM
WE'RE IN IT FOR YOU
BRIAR
SHE/HER
"Growing up, I didn't have many queer role models to look up to. By organising Pride Wairau in Blenheim, I aim to show young people hat there are LGBTQIA+ adults and families thriving right here in our community."
JESSE
HE/HIM
"Pride isn't just for big cities. It' an opportunity to show our rainbow community that they do belong here, that they can exist exactly as they are, and that they're not alone here in Wairau. It's about fostering acceptance and building a support network for our beautifully diverse community. Pride belongs everywhere"
AMBER
SHE/HER
"Pride brings love and joy to our community. Creating connections, and fostering a space where people are free to exist as themselves has an impact on not just the rainbow community, but everyone. We all deserve to feel safe, accepted and loved."
GABE
SHE/HER
"Pride is an important to me because it is public display of acceptance. I grew up here in Te Tauihu and I know what it feels like to not fit in. he more we educate and celebrate each other the righter the future of our community will be.."