OUT&about Wānaka will be launching a new charitable trust, community projects, and “next level” plans for Wānaka’s Pride Week 2024 at an event on Sunday August 25.

In September last year the advocacy group organised Wānaka’s inaugural Pride Street Party, which attracted a strong community turnout of nearly 2,000 people.

The celebration at the Lake Wānaka Centre featured everything from live music and DJs to spoken word and poetry, a craft market, food and beverage stalls, a ‘living library’, and an information market with LGBTQI+ resources.  

Read more: Community comes out to support Pride Street Party

Now OUT&about is launching a charitable trust, with the key values of “respect and empathy, unity, empowerment, pride, and inclusion”, OUT&about media spokesperson Nisse Perry and festival director Ollie Harcus said.

“By bringing people together, connecting, and embracing each other's differences, we aspire to create a more inclusive and understanding society in Wānaka, where every individual, regardless of their age, gender identity or sexual orientation, feels valued and celebrated,” they said. 

Nisse and Ollie said the group is building on the work of other local rainbow programmes (such as Queers & Beers and Queer Quarterly Reads) and is developing programmes to support parents and caregivers, and create wider support networks within the region.

“We look forward to working with a range of community groups and to support them as our wonderfully diverse community grows.”

The pair said that while Wānaka’s Pride Street Party 2023 was “one to remember”, this year’s event will take Pride “to the next level”.

The week-long Pride festival (November 11-16) will culminate with the Pride Street Party at the Lake Wānaka Centre. 

“This exciting community event will have a range of activities, entertainers, and community groups involved,” Nisse and Ollie said.

“We look forward to welcoming you on our journey to promote love and acceptance within the Wānaka and Upper Clutha community.”

Everyone is invited for morning tea at the launch of the charitable trust and the community projects at the Wānaka Community Hub on Sunday August 25 at 11am. Please RSVP to [email protected] by Friday August 23.

PHOTO: Wānaka App