Rainbow groups and activities

Wellington Wanderers

A rainbow community walking group and open to all. Join a group of lovely people, take part in banter and traverse our beautiful scenery mostly on Saturday mornings. All walks are events in the facebook group. Join by simply turning up.

Brooklyn Wind Turbine route Sunday 15^th June 10:30

Explore regenerating bush in Polhill Reserve and take in the best views of the city. This route is popular with mountain bikers, runners – and a healthy spillover of native birds from the nearby Zealandia sanctuary thanks to the work of community volunteers trapping introduced predators. A 4-hour walk, moderate level of fitness needed to slay this walk. It’s dog friendly. Furry family welcome. More info on the facebook event page

For each walk bring water to drink, snacks and/or lunch, sunscreen and hat, dogs (optional if allowed) on leads. Wear appropriate footwear [tracks may be muddy], suitable clothes for the weather [incl rain/wind proof jacket for exposed walks].

The Glamaphones

Glimmer - the Glamaphones in Concert

Sunday 29 June 3pm @ St Andrews on the Terrace

To brighten a mid-winter afternoon, the Glamaphones present a concert celebrating the power of light and the lustre of precious metals. Join us for songs from the Beatles to Spandau Ballet, via Morten Lauridsen and Eric Whitacre. There will be something for everyone to enjoy.
We’re keen to share our music and our kai! Please join us for light refreshments after the performance.
Tickets ($15/$10) from TryBooking. facebook page

The Glamaphones are Wellington's all-inclusive rainbow choir based at St Andrews on the Terrace. They are a friendly mixed choir and welcome anyone who wishes to sing - no auditions! They sing a range of music including pop, classical, spirituals, world, choral, musical, and jazz classics. Follow the Glamaphones on their website. Rehearsals on Thursdays 6.30pm (usually) at St Andrews on the Terrace.

Rainbow Dragon Club

Sunday 22^nd June 6pm @ Newtown Community Centre cnr Rintoul and Colombo Streets

A fortnightly boardgame and tabletop game club for the LGBTQ+ community and for women.
You are welcome to bring along your own games, miniatures, and paints. Or just bring yourself and try out a game in their collection! Follow on facebook

CampGround Rainbow Comedy Night

Thursday 3^rd July 8pm @ Ivy Bar and Cabaret, 63 Cuba St.

A comedy showcase of our best LGBTQAII+ standup comedians, on the third Thursdays of the month [usually]. Featuring polished pros and hilarious up-and-comers. Support your community by laughing with us!

WPF presents Cabaret

Friday 4^th July 5:30pm @ Ivy Bar & Cabaret

Wellington Pride Festival is kicking off a series of fundraising screenings with an all time classic. They've got ahold of the OG movie Cabaret (1972), starring Liza Minnelli, Michael Yorke and Joel Grey, and tyey'll be screening it in a cabaret-like setting.
Doors open at 5.30pm, the screening begins at 6.30pm. Tickets $25 for VIP seating, including a WPF wristband, or $15 for a barstool. R18. More info on the facebook event page.

LGBTI history walk tours

Sunday 6^th July 1pm: the Fabulous Carmen walk tour: tea, toasties and trade

Entrepreneur, entertainer, madam and mayoral candidate Carmen Rupe was based in Wellington for less than 15-years but has left us a rich legacy of memories and inspiring moments.
Join us on this free 90-minute community walk-tour as weto trace Carmen’s Wellington years (1967-1980). Visit some of the remaining inner-city business locations and imagine some of those that are no longer here: Le Balcon, Carmen’s International Coffee Lounge, The Peacock, Cleopatra’s Coffee Lounge, Carmen’s Bazaar, The Gazebo massage parlour, The Cottage brothel and Carmen’s Curio Shop. More info on the Walktours webpage and on the facebook event page.

The tour is free but please register at www.taonga.nz/walktours. No bookings no walk!

Walk Tours NZ is a Volunteer group that offers free, accessible, inclusive and community-focused walking tours around Wellington highlighting the city’s rich LGBTI rainbow heritage. Usually held on the first Sunday of the month. They walk on flat, accessible public footpaths. Tours are limited to approximately 20 walkers.

Rainbow Wellington

Rainbow Wellington is an LGBTI+ organisation that focuses on networking, events and lobbying. Their website has information about past and present campaigns as well as directories of local LGBTI+ businesses, groups and activities. Follow on facebook

Social mixer events are held in a congenial bar on the second Friday of the month [usually] - check the website or facebook for updates.

• Social mixer Friday 11^th July 5:30pm @ S&Ms, 176 Cuba St. facebook event page

PrideNZ.com audio/video/digital archive

Latest addition to PrideNZ.com is a downloadable spreadsheet of 3,600+ newspaper articles from The Press in Christchurch from the 1870s-1989. It has been created using Generative AI to surface and summarise historic newspaper articles relating to Takātapui Rainbow LGBTI+ communities. PrideNZ partnered with Christchurch City Libraries to digitise The Press, and then The Press have made the paper available non-commercially under a Creative Commons License.

Follow news of the latest audio files of interviews and events added to PrideNZ on their facebook page

• The Events section on the Pride NZ webside has audio from many queer/rainbow events, conferences and campaigns from around the country - a treasure trove with more being added regularly.
• The On This Day page has a rich mix of rainbow life - from events that happened over 100 years ago to today.
• An interactive map of rainbow related sites in Wellington with links to interviews and articles on the website.
• Check out the historical timeline of GLBTTIQ events and people in New Zealand. Sample it by decade or settle in to read the big page with the full list.

Same sex dancing classes

The Sunday night DANSS classes are for the LGBTI community and friends who wish to learn some classical Ballroom, some funky Latin American and some elegant New Vogue dance moves. A partner is not necessary however an attitude in wanting to learn and having fun is required.
Classes are held at the Thistle Hall, corner of Cuba and Arthur Streets.
Beginner's class start at 7 pm and the Intermediate classes start at 8 pm. Payment is by koha/donation.

Check the DANSS facebook page or website for more information.

Gay bars

Ivy Bar and Cabaret

James Smiths Basement, 49 Cuba Street - ivybar.co.nz - they have lots of shows and events

S&M's - Scotty and Mal's Cocktail and Lounge Bar

176 Cuba Street - www.scottyandmals.co.nz - also has a busy events programme

facebook and other social media groups

• The Rainbow Forecast - weekly Wellington queer events guide
• Rainbow Hutt Valley | Te Ngākau Kahukura o Te Awa Kairangi
• Rainbow Wellington Dogs (& their owners)
• Queer crafters in the Hutt
• Queer whānau building Pōneke
• Queer Network NZ - Wellington Chapter - information sharing network
• Queer Wellington
• Tīwhanawhana is a takatāpui community group in Wellington that welcomes people of all diverse sexualities and gender. The kaupapa of Tīwhanawhana is primarily for takatāpui: building community, telling our stories and leaving legacies.
• Out at Work - union group
• UniQ Victoria - facebook groups for queer students
• UniQ Massey Wellington
• Lost Gay Wellington
• Queer Network NZ Wellington Chapter
• Vinegar Hill Gay Camping for rainbow people and their families over Christmas and the New Year holiday period

and no doubt there are many many more ...