13 Jun 2012

Gay pride parade to return to Auckland

4:28 pm on 13 June 2012

Organisers of a new gay pride festival in Auckland say a sponsorship deal from Auckland Council is crucial to the event's success.

Some $100,000 has been given to the Auckland Pride Trust for the two-week event, set to take place in February next year.

A street parade through the city will be the flagship event of the festival and is expected to attract 220,000 people.

Auckland Pride Festival steering committee chair Gresham Bradley says it has received overwhelming support from major political parties and mayor Len Brown.

Mr Bradley says the festival is expected to bring at least $780,000 into the local economy.

The Hero Parade took place for the last time in 2001 and ended after the organising trust was left with huge debts.