Note: You are viewing the website for the 2020 Auckland Pride Festival. Visit aucklandpride.org.nz for the most current Festival website.

Media Release

24 May 2019

Auckland Pride Member Updates – May 2019

Following the 2019 Annual General Meeting, the Board of Auckland Pride Festival welcomes a new member, farewells another, and calls for expressions of interest for the appointment of the remaining Board positions.

The Board is pleased to announce the addition of a new member, Kaan Hiini, elected at the recent AGM. It is with great sadness, however, that the board farewells Ta’i Paitai, stepping down after one year.

Current board member Phylesha Brown-Acton says, “It is unfortunate that we have received the resignation of Ta’i Paitai. Ta’i has been an asset to the APFI Board, offering expert knowledge of the performing arts sector. He was instrumental in the development and planning of a successful Auckland Pride Festival in 2019, under difficult circumstances. We are most grateful and thankful for Ta’i’s contribution and the impact he is making on this world.”

Kaan Hiini, joins Michael Lett, re-elected for a second term and current board members Phylesha Brown-Acton, Emma Henderson and Zakk d’Larté who each have one more year to serve.

“The debate over the past year has demonstrated just how important the Pride Festival is to our community,” says Hiini. “We all care deeply about creating a truly inclusive space in which we can celebrate our beautifully diverse rainbow whānau. Putting your hand up and getting involved is the best way to support and shape a key event for our community. That’s why I put my hand up and why I encourage others to. I’m excited to have the opportunity to help out and to be an advocate for my communities.”

The board is now calling for expressions of interest for the appointment of the remaining board positions.

As discussed at the AGM, Cissy Rock and Duncan Matthews have both stated their interest in applying. However with the departure of Paitai, two additional vacancies remain open.

The board seek new members with a range of skills and relevant experience, who have a passion for serving the Rainbow Communities and the ability to dedicate time and energy towards guiding the growth and direction of the Auckland Pride Festival over the next few years.

The Auckland Pride Board remains committed to delivering a festival that places the visibility and freedom of our Rainbow community at the forefront, providing space for all to feel welcome, heard and celebrated. Any members who are passionate about shaping and improving the Festival, and wanting to bring fresh ideas and new perspectives to the table are encouraged to apply.

The board particularly welcomes applications from individuals with experience in media & public relations, fundraising & commercial partnerships, human rights or law. Applicants should support the strategic goals and focus areas of Auckland Pride Festival Inc.

All board applicants are required to complete a short application form setting out their relevant experience and the reason for their interest. Expressions of interest should be sent no later than Friday 7 June, 2019.

For more information, please email [email protected].


RULES ABOUT BOARD APPOINTMENTS

The Auckland Pride constitution (Section 10) states that we are to have a Board of nine people. Each Board member’s term (how long they stay on the Board without being re-elected or appointed) is set at two years, unless they are replacing an elected Board member, in which case the new Board member shall retire at the relevant Annual General Meeting in accordance with the specified retirement timeframe for the Board member being replaced(10.14).


Auckland Pride Festival 2020 will run from 1–16 February.

Note: You are viewing the website for the 2020 Auckland Pride Festival. Visit aucklandpride.org.nz for the most current Festival website.

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