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Pride Taranaki Logo

A Brief History

The below history section is intentionally incomplete – we are offering a timeline of some important moments in our Taranaki history. 

Preserving our history

At Pride Taranaki, we’re passionate about recording and celebrating our rainbow history so it’s never forgotten. We’re gathering the stories, moments, and voices that have helped shape the world we live in today — and preserving them for future generations.If you have a memory you’d love to see live on, we’d be honoured to hear from you.  🌈

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Years equals

“Where Is This Group Heading?” – Gay Liberation Taranaki Newsletter No. 4 (28 August 1978)

Newsletter (historical movement reflection)

Gay Liberation Taranaki – Special Notice to Members (c. 1975)

Special notice / internal circular to members

Gay Liberation Taranaki – Special Notice to All Members (c. 1976)

Internal organisational notice / restructuring discussion paper cover note

Taranaki Gay Society Papers (1978–1979)

LAGANZ MS Papers 0064

1975, Taranaki Gay Liberation

The First Gay group (Taranaki Gay Liberation) was formed in Taranaki 13th March 1975, as part of a National coalition of Gay Liberation groups in NZ.

Gay Liberation Taranaki Newsletter – May 1976

Community newsletter

Gay Liberation Taranaki Newsletter – August 1976

Community newsletter (Newsletter No. 2.1)

Taranaki Gay Society / Gay Liberation Taranaki – Newsletter No. 4 (28 August 1978)

Community newsletter / organisational reflection & history

Taranaki Gay Society – Newsletter No. 3 (17 November 1978)

Community newsletter / organisational update

Taranaki Gay Society Newsletter No. 1 – September 1978

Newsletter (founding communication / early organisational record)

Press Statement on Gay Rights – Taranaki Gay Society (1978)

Press statement / political advocacy document

Taranaki Gay Society – Christmas Party Invitation

Event invitation Digitised copy

Gay Liberation Taranaki / Taranaki Gay Society – Newsletter No. 4 (28 August 1978)

Community newsletter / organisational constitution & direction debate

Taranaki Gay Society – Christmas Party Invitation (9 December 1978)

Event invitation / printed card

Taranaki Gay Society – Newsletter No. 1 (11 September 1978)

Community newsletter (founding publication)

Taranaki Gay Society Newsletter No. 3 – November 1978

Community newsletter (Newsletter No. 3)

Taranaki Gay Society – Christmas Party “’78” Event Notice & Invitation (17 November 1978)

Event notice with attached invitation (newsletter insert / flyer)

Taranaki Gay Society Constitution – 1978

Constitution / founding governance document

Taranaki Gay Society Newsletter – January 1979 (First Newsletter of the Year)

Community newsletter

Taranaki Gay Society Newsletter – Meeting Notice, January 1979 (Agenda & General News)

Newsletter

Taranaki Gay Society – Programme of Events (February–March 1979)

Community programme / event schedule (print flyer)

1981, TaGG

Taranaki a Gay Group TaGG formed October 1981.

Taranaki Gay Group (TaGG) – Introductory Letter (c.1982)

Organisational introduction letter / outreach correspondence

“A Circle of Faggots” – Residential Gathering Invitation (May 1982)

Event invitation / community flyer

TaGG Newsletter – Taranaki Gay Group (26 March 1982)

Community newsletter (organisational update & meeting notice)

TaGG (Taranaki Gay Group) January Newsletter – Committee Update (1982)

Community newsletter (page 1)

New Zealand AIDS Foundation – Taranaki Branch Newsletter (December 1989)

Branch newsletter / community health update

1991-1993, Sheila’s Arms

Sheila’s Arms at 47 St Aubyn’s street New Plymouth started January 1991.

The Sheilas’ Arms – Women-Only Venue, New Plymouth (1992)

Community venue information & event notice (newsletter page)

1992, Lesbian Newsletter

This image is a page from a lesbian community newsletter (likely Taranaki Lesbian Newsletter, early 1990s) detailing specific upcoming events in New Plymouth and beyond.

Taranaki Lesbian Newsletter – Events & Community Notices (1992)

Era: Early 1990s (circa 1992)

Taranaki Lesbian Newsletter – Volume 1, Issue 1 (c.1993)

Place of Publication: New Plymouth, Taranaki, Aotearoa New Zealand
Editor/Contact: Dorothy (P.O. Box 6045, New Plymouth)

Taranaki Lesbian Newsletter – Jallal at The Sheilas’ Arms (April 1993)

Jallal live at The Sheilas’ Arms

1993 – 2001, The Taranaki Lesbian Newsletter

The Taranaki Lesbian Newsletter.

Lesbian Mothers and Others – Mt Taranaki Great Escape (Christmas Tramp) (c.1993)

The Lesbian Mothers and Others Mt Taranaki Great Escape!

Taranaki Lesbian Newsletter – Country & Western Line Dancing + k.d. lang Article

Era: Mid-1990s (circa 1994)

Rainbow Times – Issue One (December 1994)

Publication: Rainbow Times
Issue: Issue One
Date: December 1994
Publisher: Taranaki Pride Alliance

Taranaki Lesbian Newsletter – “What’s What” Community Noticeboard (1994)

Era: Mid-1990s (circa 1994)

Rainbow Times – Community Event Photo & Film Screening Social (c.1994)

Publication: Rainbow Times (Taranaki LGBTQ+ community newsletter)

Rainbow Times – Issue One Cover (December 1994)

Rainbow Times – Issue One Cover (December 1994)

“A Spot for Dot” – Taranaki Lesbian Newsletter Community Call-Out (c. mid–1990s)

Newsletter page / community column

1995, First Pride Week

The inaugural Pride Week in 1995 marked a historic celebration of LGBTQ+ identity, advocacy, and community solidarity.

Queer Pride Week Notice – Taranaki (1995)

Event notice / newsletter excerpt

Tribute to Sharon Alston – Taranaki Lesbian Newsletter (1995)

Newsletter tribute page with photograph and community notices

Pride Week Programme – Taranaki, June–July 1995

Community events programme / flyer

Taranaki Lesbian Library Hours & Umua Gatherings – TLN Newsletter (1998)

Newsletter page / community notices & crossword

Taranaki Lesbian Library Update & “Lesbians on Land” Gathering – TLN (Feb 1999)

Newsletter page / community notice

2024, Taranaki Pride Week 2024

A total of 17 events and 2 activities were organised throughout the week, attracting over 1000 participants and offering something for everyone to participate in and enjoy.

Taranaki Pride Week 2025

Building on the incredible momentum of Taranaki Pride Week in 2024, this year’s celebration saw the region come alive with colour, connection, and community spirit.

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