A message from Taylor
Taylor at Kuru Ponamu earlier this year
Kia ora e te whānau,
After much thought, I have made the decision to step down as Co-Chair of the Wellington Pride Festival. The reason is simple: my healing journey is about to begin. After five years of waiting, my pathway to recovery through ACC’s Māori services is finally opening. This is something I need to step into fully, and I know I cannot do both that and the responsibilities of co-chairing justice at the same time. My health must come first.
It has been such a privilege to serve in this role over the past year and a bit. I am so proud of what we achieved together in this year’s festival - from the incredible volunteers who gave their time, to the partnerships we built with queer groups, leaders, and city councils, to the mahi of community groups who ran events that uplifted, celebrated, and advocated for our rainbow whānau. None of it would have been possible without the aroha and commitment of so many.
As Takatāpui, my vision has always been to guide the Festival into a more relational space - one rooted in kotahitanga, collaboration, and sustainable partnerships. While there is still a journey ahead, I believe the Festival now has strong foundations, with deeper connections and committed partners to help build a truly sustainable celebration with year-round community support.
Stepping back as Co-Chair does not mean stepping away. You’ll still find me at our community engagement events, volunteering, and standing with Tīwhanawhana to offer our waiata tautoko whenever it’s needed.
Through this mahi, I have learnt so much about our community. Most importantly, I have learnt the power of standing together. History reminds us that our progress has always come when we unite: our trans whānau sparked the flame of change that won us the right to live and love authentically; our lesbian sisters stood strong with those most affected during the AIDS pandemic, especially gay men. Whenever any one part of our community is under threat, it is a threat to us all. When we protect one another, we all thrive.
For me, Pride is both a protest and a celebration. It is where we remember that our unity is our strength, and it is where we celebrate the beauty and brilliance of our rainbow whānau. I like to think of us as the tropical fish, the birds of paradise, and the colourful species who flourish in spaces of abundance. We are the peak of human creativity, compassion, expression, and courage - showing the world what people can be when we are free to live fully as ourselves.
To my incredible team, thank you. It has been an absolute pleasure to serve alongside you. The energy, time, and heart you’ve poured into the Festival is an immense gift to our community, and I am grateful for all of it.
And to our wider whānau - I encourage you to reach out, to ask how you can be part of the Festival, and to offer your time and skills. Pride is at its best when it belongs to all of us, when together we showcase the very best of who we are.
Ngā manaakitanga,
Taylor
