Wednesday, 22 February 2023 - 2:41pm

Police on parade (with video)

1 min read

News article photos (3 items)

All heart - some of the parading Police staff pictured outside Auckland Central Police Station.
A dog in a rainbow collar sat on the bonnet of a police car.
Group shot of Police staff outside Auckland Central Police Station before the parade.

This year’s Auckland Rainbow Parade was bigger than ever and included a police contingent of more than 150 people.

Renowned as Aotearoa’s largest and loudest carnival of change and diversity, the parade brings together rainbow communities in a celebration of our mix of cultures, sexualities and gender identities.

The newest employee led out the police group for the parade at the weekend, which was the biggest since 2018, with several thousand people lining Ponsonby Road to watch.

“As a member of the Rainbow community it made me feel proud of the police," says Inspector Lyle Norriss. "People came as both allies and as members of the community, that to me shows how we embrace diversity.

“Without the passion and commitment from across Tāmaki Makaurau this event would not have happened. It took hours in people’s own time to make this a special event. We hope to be bigger and brighter in 2024.”

The parade is one of hundreds of events being held throughout the city during Pride Month. Watch some of the ways our staff got involved in the video below.