Fifteen Thousand people turned out in support of the rainbow community at Auckland’s Rainbow Parade on Ponsonby Road last night, marking the return of a motorized Parade for the city.
With over 45 community groups, organisations, and businesses taking part in Auckland’s first motorized Rainbow Parade and one of the largest yet for the city, highlighting the love and support from the thousands-strong crowd.
Speaking with express after the event, Parade Director Shaughan Woodcock of SDW Events explained how proud he was of the event, the team that helped make it happen, the community, and its allies.
“I’m absolutely thrilled and delighted with last night’s parade. The crowd was electric, and it was great to see so much passion and support.”
“The sun was shining and Tāmaki Makaurau certainly enjoyed the Rainbow after the storm with 12,000 – 15,000 people lining Ponsonby Road to celebrate love, courage, inclusion, and diversity,” Woodcock explained.
“It’s fair to say that Auckland’s motorized Rainbow Parade is back!” – Shaughan Woodcock
While the Rainbow Parade is a celebration, Woodcock also highlighted the need to recognise the recent extreme weather events to hit Tāmaki Makaurau and Aotearoa by starting off the event with karakia and a moment to acknowledge recent events and whanau in Hawkes Bay & Gisborne.
