Rainbow groups and activities

Wellington Wanderers

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

Sun 15 Dec 10:30am Korokoro valley and dam walk, Petone

The Korokoro Valley Stream Track is in Belmont Regional Park. The walk is relatively flat and follows the old water pipeline through native bush up to the historic Korokoro dam. The walk is 8km return, and usually takes the group about 1.5 - 2 hours. More info on the Regional Council website. Dogs are very welcome if on a lead.
Meet at the track entrance on Cornish Street, Petone. Plenty of on-street parking, or it is a 12-minute walk from Petone Station.

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

Rainbow Dragon Club

Sunday 15^st December 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.

Camp Out! Holidays rainbow comedy at large

Thursday 19^th December 8pm @ Fringe Bar, Allen St.

The best LGBTQAI+ comics in NZ, including all-stars from the beloved Campground Rainbow Comedy Night and NZ Comedy School, are rocking Fringe Bar! Funds go to the NZ Comedy School Diversity Scholarship fund. Fun! Comedy! Talent! Big gay karaoke after! ... tix on eventfinda or at the door. facebook event page

Queermass Pōneke 2024

Saturday 21^st December 1-3pm @ a secret location

Queermas is a Christmas celebration for rainbow and takatāpui rangatahi (aged 16-22), providing a supportive and inclusive space to celebrate the holiday season with chosen family. Enjoy festive food, music, and the opportunity to connect with others in the community. Address will be provided whan you register on eventbrite. Get in quick as spaces are limited! More info on the genzaotearoa instagram page.

LGBTI history walk tours : tea, toasties and trade

Sunday 5^th January 1pm: The Fabulous Carmen walk tour

Join this free 90-minute community walk-tour to 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.
Learn about Carmen’s landmark 1966 court case, her race to become Mayor of Wellington in the 1970s, and how she supported and offered a safe harbour to Wellington’s Takatapui LGBTI Rainbow communities. More info on the walktours webpage.

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.

PrideNZ.com audio 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.

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.

The Glamaphones

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 facebook or their website. Rehearsals on Thursdays 6.30pm (usually) at St Andrews on the Terrace.

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

facebook and other social media groups

• 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 ...