Rainbow groups and activities

LGBTI history walk tours

Saturday 1^st February 1pm: A Change is Coming walk tour

2025 marks the 40th anniversary of the introduction in 1985, of the Homosexual Law Reform bill. The bill set out to decriminalise homosexual activity between consenting adults and make it illegal to discriminate against someone based on their sexual orientation. But this wasn’t the first attempt at homosexual law reform. Join this special 90-minute free walk tour to celebrate the people and movements that fought for a brighter future for 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.

Fringe Festival Fri 14^th Feb  - Sat 8^th March 2025

The programme for the 2025 Fringe Festival is out with a huge variety of shows - it looks wild! Go to fringe.co.nz/programme and rummage for rainbow offerings. Some picks:

The Artist in her Residence - Thurs 13^th Feb, online

Hampered by health conditions, Creatif Kate invites you in to her humble abode. Settle down with a cuppa and enjoy a poetic peep into a life lived at her pace, in her place

Purple is the Gayest Colour Fri 14^th-Sat 15^th Feb, BATS Theatre

Alayne never forgets an insult, in fact she wrote a whole show about it ...

EPIC WAY! I'm Gay? Oui oui faguette™ I LOVE KIM HILL (1999 version) Fri 14^th- Sun 16^th Feb, Te Auaha

Liv Ward is missing, but the show must go on! There's only one crustacean who can find them; The lobster (which is definitely not Liv in a $5 lobster costume) ...

Fairies playing Football Fri 21^st- Sun 23^rd Feb, The Circus Hub

Fairies + Football = fun for the whole fam. Join Acorn, Fizzlefig and their team of underfrogs as they wingwoman each other through life, love and football ...

Camping out 5 pm Sat 22^nd Feb, Gryphon Theatre

Five of Wellington's funny and fabulous comedians are completing challenges both campy and camping (in nature).

Hugo's Rainbow Show Sat 1^st- Sun 2^nd March, Thistle Hall

What makes a rainbow? Join drag superstar Hugo Grrrl for a musical, magical adventure exploring the science of the skies above ...

Follow the Fringe on facebook.com/NZFringe instagram.com/nzfringe tiktok.com/@nzfringe.

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.

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: tba

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

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
awaiting dates for the holiday period ...

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 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 - also has a busy events programme

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 ...