Smiles, sass, solidarity — and so many bears. YOUR EX was there to capture the full rainbow of community joy as Auckland’s own Matt McVeigh was crowned Mr Bear New Zealand 2026 in a night that was equal parts heart and hilarity.
From the moment the lights hit the stage to the roars of support from the crowd, our photographers were in the heart of the action — documenting every wink, bear hug and confident strut that lit up the Phoenix Cabaret stage.
This event was more than a pageant — it was a celebration of belonging. Matt’s win has become a symbol of pride, visibility and community resilience at a moment when LGBTQ+ voices everywhere are fighting to be heard.
“I’d celebrate our community’s confidence, inclusivity and camaraderie… and I wouldn’t shy away from a little playful trouble,” Matt said on stage — and that energy came through in every shot our team took.
👉 Dive in now and relive all the unforgettable highlights from the Mr Bear NZ 2026 final! Photos by Peter Jennings – GET YOUR PICS HERE!
