The Hero Parade and Festival usually took place in February, a week or two ahead of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
[1] According to its original organisers, the Hero Parade was intended to foster a sense of community amongst LGBTQ people, and acknowledge those who were fighting HIV/AIDS.
[4] In 1998 the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Rt Hon Jenny Shipley, of the National Party attended and spoke at the parade for the first time.
[5] The parade faced opposition advertising from an organisation called Stop Promoting Homosexuality International, prompting complaints to the New Zealand Human Rights Commission.
The Auckland Pride Festival once again featured a parade along Ponsonby Road (during the day rather than at night), as well as a large closing party in the newly renovated Victoria Park.