Pride Wairau Festival Week

A Celebration of Visibility, Belonging, and Community

Pride Wairau Festival Week returns this year with a bold and heartfelt message: Here.

It’s more than a theme, it is a declaration and a commitment that rainbow and takatāpui communities are here, are safe here, and are always welcome here. From June 6-15, this region will host ten days of events. More than just a festival, Pride Wairau is a rallying point for inclusion, connection, and enduring pride in the face of isolation and invisibility that often marks life in smaller regional centres.

Now in its second year, Pride Wairau has expanded from 5 to 14 events including a dynamic mix of education, advocacy, celebration, and arts events. From comedy and workshops to visual art exhibitions and live music, there is something for everyone whether you’re part of the rainbow community or not.

One of the standout features will be speaker Campbell Johnstone, the first openly gay All Black. His story has touched hearts around the world, and his presence at the Festival adds a strong voice of encouragement to those in the LBGTQ+ community, sportspeople and anyone trying to bring a dream to life.

“It’s a pleasure and honour to be invited to support this event,” says Campbell. “I knew around the age of 14 or 15 that I was gay, and was terrified that if word got out, I’d have to give up rugby, which I loved.”

Campbell describes how he coped by burying his identity. “I called it ‘PUB’ which means procrastinate, undo it in my head and bury it deep down. It took until my mid-twenties to feel comfortable enough to come out. When I did, the rugby community was incredibly supportive. Many people had known, but they respected my privacy.”

Campbell’s decision to live openly as a gay person didn’t just positively impact his own life, it rippled outwards. “The story went around the globe, and I’m pleased I was able to play a part in encouraging others to feel more comfortable in their own skin,” he says. “I am grateful to live in a country that is actually quite liberal and have had nothing but support.”

“Within the messages of support there were many from people who shared about having to give away the sport or activity they loved because they didn’t feel they fitted the mold of what they thought a sportsperson was. Then, in the next sentence, they were saying that they’re actually confident now in wanting to get involved in that sport again.

“One of the main messages I will be taking to the LBGTQ+ community is the need to come to grips with yourself as quickly as possible. Always remember that your goals and your dreams are not determined by your sexuality or race, your religion or beliefs. They’re determined by your own efforts and desire to succeed. if you look up the word athlete in the dictionary, it doesn’t mention anywhere about specifics on a person’s background. The key is, if you’ve got a dream and you have goals, then pursue them.

The Pride Wairau Festival isn’t just for the rainbow community of Marlborough. It’s for everyone. It’s an open invitation to come along, celebrate diversity, and be part of something positive.

For LGBTQ+ individuals living in regional communities like Wairau, isolation is often the biggest barrier rather than hostility. It is the absence of visible, safe spaces to be yourself. That lack of connection can have a deep impact on mental health, self-worth, and sense of belonging. That’s why Pride Wairau was created - to change that reality.

“Pride Wairau is about creating moments where people feel seen, proud, and supported,” says Pride Wairau Manatōpū Chairperson Jesse North. “It’s about building a safer, kinder, and more connected future, not just for the rainbow community, but for everyone.”

This year the festival is turning up the volume. The opening night features ALTERATION, a visual art exhibition from the internationally renowned FAFSWAG Arts Collective, just shown in London. Hosting such world-class art in a regional space underscores Pride Wairau’s commitment to excellence, visibility, and access for all.

There’s also comedy from Eli Matthewson, one of New Zealand’s top queer comedians, and an epic closing celebration with Atarangi, a Hastings-born DJ now based in Melbourne, known for electrifying major festivals across Australasia.

While Pride Wairau centres itself within rainbow and takatāpui voices, organisers are clear: this festival is for everyone.

“It’s not just about the epic events, though they certainly are,” says Jesse. “It’s about what those events create: connection, empathy, learning, joy, and belonging. Pride Wairau is more than just a festival. It’s a movement, a statement, a celebration. Most of all, it’s a reminder that no matter who you are, you belong here.

EVENTS PROGRAMME

OPENING WEEKEND
Open with a Bang

6th June
HERE - FREE
Opening Ceremony, ALL AGES
7am | Market Place (The Forum)

ALTERATION - FREE
FAFSWAG Exhibition Launch
6pm | Small Town Winery

IGNITE - TICKET
Opening Night Party, R18
9pm | Marlborough Public House

7th June
HAPORI - FREE
Whānau & Community Day, ALL AGES
11am-3pm | MySpace Youth Trust

8th June
DEVOUR - TICKET
Long Lunch, ALL AGES
11am-3pm | Framingham Underground

MID FESTIVAL
Celebrate and Educate

9th June
IDENTITY - TICKET
Short Film Showcase, R13
7pm-8.30pm | ASB Anderson Theatre

10th June
ELI MATHEWSON - TICKET
Comedy Night, R18
6pm-7pm | Small Town Winery

11th June
ELEVATE - REGISTER
Insideout Workshop, R18
1pm | Venue TBA

12th June
ELEVATE - REGISTER
Insideout Workshop, R18
1pm | Venue TBA

CLOSING WEEKEND
Wrap It Up Right

13th June
CATEGORY - TICKET
Ballroom Culture and Leather & Lace Party, R18
8pm | The Good Home

14th June
STRIDE - FREE
Rainbow Rally, ALL AGES
12pm-2pm | Seymour Square

EUPHORIA - TICKET
Pride Closing Party, R18
9pm-3am | The Yard Bar

15th June
WRAP - FREE
Pride Closing Mixer
5pm | Small Town Winery