News from New Zealand informs us that a major push to bring a major Mardi Gras type parade or festival to Auckland is quickly gaining speed.
Even the Mayor Len Brown agrees the idea has merit and asking for a feasibility study to be carried out.
Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye led the charge on the project in a column written for GayNZ.com this week. She then wrote to Brown asking for action.
Brown today stated the idea fits well with his vision of Auckland as an events capital and an attractive tourist destination. He has asked for a feasibility assessment from the council organisation responsible for Tourism, Events and Economic Development.
The organisation has agreed to work with the Mayor, Kaye and interested stakeholders to explore the idea of an Auckland Gay Mardi Gras, and undertake a feasibility study as requested by the mayor.
Kaye is delighted: "I want to congratulate the mayor who is demonstrating a real commitment to investigate ideas that support both the lgbt community and that may support improving economic development in Auckland. The success of any future initiative will depend on it being supported by the wider community and it is great to see support across the political spectrum for this.
The National MP says a number of people and groups have contacted her office, supportive of taking the idea further. She intends to ensure they are linked in to the process of engagement for the feasibility study.
"I want to stress that I am not fixed on what the final form of larger Mardi Gras type celebration may be. It could be a parade, it could be a festival, it could be both. That must be decided after extensive community engagement and needs to come from the LGBT community."
The initiative has tentative support from Kaye's Auckland Central rival, Labour MP Jacinda Ardern, who says she is all for anything which showcases the vibrant, diverse and fantastic place that Auckland City is - and K' Rd specifically is.
"At the same time I also want to make sure that we don't lose sight of all of the other issues that need to be progressed on behalf of the lgbt community. So, great to have some celebration and if something like this is good for the economy – fantastic. But there are lots of other bits and pieces we need to keep plugging away on with just as much energy, if not more."
For more on this and other top stories for the LGBT community in New Zealand, please visit www.gaynz.com
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