Whangārei PROUD

04/09/2026

We're definitely Whangārei PROUD of our rainbow rangatahi for their efforts today. They kept going despite one misinformed heckler, and hand delivered their petition to Dr Shane Reti MP's office. We'll post more videos of their mahi later.

02/09/2026

The organizer of this Fridays march for equal and trans rights has also created a petition which they would like to pass onto our current MP for Whangārei Dr Shane Reti MP . Let's help boost those signatures.

Withdraw the definition of Woman and Man bill in New Zealand

31/08/2026

Feedback is that it's a great show and really worth seeing. Get your tickets while you still can.

29/08/2026

We will be sending out the set questions to the attending candidates in a couple of weeks.

There will be three parts to the question time:
➡️The prepared Segment (Themes/questions provided in advance).
➡️The moderator Segment with surprise, targeted questions.
➡️The Audience Segment, which will be open to the floor for live questions.

All questions for the prepared segment must be pre-submitted by 12th September so that we can give the candidates two weeks to prepare. Others can be submitted up to, and on, the day for the moderator and open floor questions, but will be vetted before being presented and may not be selected depending on how many are received before the event.

We've had confirmed attendance from:

🏳️‍🌈Huhana Melanie Lyndon
🏳️‍🌈 Green Party Te Tai Tokerau

🏳️‍🌈Mariameno Kapa-Kingi mō Te Tai Tokerau 🏳️‍🌈Te Tai Tokerau Party

🏳️‍🌈 Simon for Whangārei
🏳️‍🌈Simon DellaBarca for The Opportunity Party

🏳️‍🌈Dr Gary Payinda - Whangārei Labour
🏳️‍🌈Labour Party Whangārei CONFIRMED

🏳️‍🌈 Jon Twyman for Whangarei 2026
🏳️‍🌈 Independent for Whangārei

🏳️‍🌈 Vince Cocurullo - NZ First Candidate for Whangarei
🏳️‍🌈

🏳️‍🌈 Doug Graham - ACT Whangārei
🏳️‍🌈 Act Party

We have had the following declines:

🏳️‍🌈 Aperahama Edwards 🏳️‍🌈 Te Pati Māori NOT ATTENDING

🏳️‍🌈 Lloyd Budd for Whangarei 🏳️‍🌈 National ACKNOWLEDGED, NOT ATTENDING (CAMPAIGN LAUNCH AUCKLAND)

🏳️‍🌈Willow-Jean Prime 🏳️‍🌈 Labour Te Tai Tokerau ACKNOWLEDGED, NOT ATTENDING (CAMPAIGN LAUNCH AUCKLAND)

🏳️‍🌈 Make sure you're enrolled to vote and make sure your voice is counted 🏳️‍🌈

With 7 candidates confirmed, we're sure in for a really informative event.

Do you want to hear directly from the candidates seeking your vote in this year's General Election on how they will represent you in Parliament?
Do you want to know if they understand the needs of our community or how they will support you in the issues that matter most to you?

Whangārei PROUD invites you to an informative and engaging Candidate Question Time at Pride HQ to give you the opportunity to hear from, and ask questions of, those candidates representing all the political parties standing in our region.

The event will also be live broadcast.

📆Sunday Monday 27th September 2026
🕛Doors open 1030am, Question time starts at 11:00am
📍Pride HQ, 65 John Street

Candidates confirmed attending are:

🏳️‍🌈 Huhana Melanie Lyndon

🏳️‍🌈 Mariameno Kapa-Kingi mō Te Tai Tokerau

🏳️‍🌈 Simon for Whangārei

🏳️‍🌈 Jon Twyman for Whangarei 2026

🏳️‍🌈Vince Cocurullo - NZ First Candidate for Whangarei

🏳️‍🌈 Dr Gary Payinda - Whangārei Labour

🏳️‍🌈 Doug Graham - ACT Whangārei

Not able to attend

🏳️‍🌈 Willow-Jean Prime Labour Party Te Tai Tokerau (CAMPAIGN LAUNCH AUCKLAND)

🏳️‍🌈 Aperahama Edwards Te Pāti Māori

🏳️‍🌈 Lloyd Budd for Whangarei National Party (CAMPAIGN LAUNCH AUCKLAND)

The event will be chaired and moderated by Cory Fernmoor, Trustee and Treasurer for Whangarei PROUD.

This is a great opportunity to learn more about the issues, compare policies, and make an informed decision before Election Day.

All welcome. Admission is free.

Please share this event with family, friends and neighbours.
We will update this post as candidates confirm their attendance.

27/08/2026

What a jam packed month for events! Please remember to RSVP when you see the event published so that we know how many to expect. Like👍, comment📣and share 📲 as much as possible to help get the word out there.

Here are some key events that are scheduled in September.

🌈Some of our local rangatahi/youth have arranged a protest march from Te Iwitahi/Civic Precinct to Pūtahi Park. Please support our Rangatahi as they put themselves in the front line of activism.
🌈Perfect Arrangement Whangārei PROUD fundraiser at the Octagon Theatre
🌈The Q***r Clay Club are coming to Whangārei!
🌈Te Aroha Dunn is coming back to HQ for Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori
🌈🌈and our big event for the month, our candidate question time. We really need our community to come along and support this. Get your questions in before you miss the opportunity.

Keep an eye out for our events as they get scheduled, and share, share, share!

27/08/2026

Just another shout out that this months ND hangout is cancelled. Our kaimahi are under the weather. 😷🤒🤧🥴