Rainbow Youth

16/07/2026

One week until Wellington Rainbow Youth Choir rehearsals start for Term 3!

We're looking forward to seeing all our singers again on July 21st 🎼

And, we're excited to welcome anyone interested in trying out the choir!
Email or message us for more info, or come along to rehearsal next Wednesday at 5pm 🌈

03/07/2026

🏳️‍🌈⚽ COME AS YOU ARE. PLAY AS YOU ARE. ⚽🏳️‍🌈

Everyone deserves a place where they feel welcome, supported, and free to enjoy sport.

This July, Hibiscus Coast AFC is launching Rainbow Futsal Have-a-Go Sessions at Stanmore Bay Leisure Centre—a fun, social, and inclusive programme for LGBTQIA+ participants and allies.

Whether you've never kicked a football before or you've been playing for years, these sessions are all about connection, confidence, and creating a community where everyone belongs.

🌈 What you can expect:
💜 A safe and welcoming environment
⚽ Fun futsal games and activities
🤝 Meet new people and build friendships
😊 Supportive coaches and volunteers
✨ No pressure—just play, connect and have fun!

📅 Starting Friday 10 July

👥 Youth Rainbow Futsal
🕓 4:00pm – 5:00pm

👥 Adult Rainbow Futsal
🕔 5:00pm – 6:00pm

📍 Stanmore Bay Leisure Centre

💲 Only $6 for the full 3-week programme!

At HBCAFC, we're committed to creating football opportunities where everyone feels seen, respected and valued. Come and be part of a growing community that celebrates diversity both on and off the court.

👉 Register now:
https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/517386

Tag a friend who'd love to give futsal a go! 🌈⚽

25/06/2026

In the essence of Matariki, over the next couple of weeks our kaupapa will look slightly different as our kaimahi take time to engage with wānanga, connect as a team, and look forward to the year ahead.

To allow for the change in capacity, our usual 1:1 peer support services and drop in centres will be paused from Monday, June 29 returning to usual from Tuesday, July 14. Our social groups will also be paused from Monday, July 6 and will also resume from Tuesday, July 14.

Mānawa maiea te putanga o Matariki.
Mānawa maiea te ariki o te rangi.
Mānawa maiea te Mātahi o te tau.

18/06/2026

Taranaki whānau!! 🌈⭐️

Phill's running a workshop with Rainbow Youth and on Saturday 27th June in central New Plymouth. It's free for youth between 15-21!

Theatre games, getting weird, letting loose - it's going to be a whole lot of fun. Spread the word to rangatahi you know and have them register via the QR code or link in the comments.

05/06/2026

We wanted to thank and shout out the gorgeous people at Stonemaier Games for their generous donation to our Bay of Plenty boardgame shelf!

Our young people have been loving Wingspan and after sharing photos with the SG team, we were pleasantly surprised by their warm response. Your donation has been an amazing addition to our the centre 🥰 we really can't thank you enough!

05/06/2026

🌈📣 HIRING 📣🌈
We are looking for an enthusiastic peer support worker to work a fixed-term contract until August 2027.

Are you passionate about our q***r, trans, and intersex youth? Do you have lived experience or skills that to contribute our communities? Apply for our peer support worker role now!

This role involves a solid understanding of the needs of q***r, gender diverse, takatāpui and intersex young people accessing our services. They will ensure requests for support are met or referred as appropriate, and will ensure
consistent delivery of 1:1 peer support.

‼️ Applications close 11:59pm, Sunday 14 June: ry.org.nz/bop-psw
Get in there! We'd love to hear from you💜🏃💨

25/05/2026

Last month the Board hosted RainbowYOUTH's AGM for 2026. At this AGM, we formally bid farewell to outgoing members Hariata Wilson & Karah Mackie (not pictured), Quack Pirihi, Kieran Trainor, Mauatua Fa'ara-Reynolds, and Caitlyn Prince.

In the term just been, amongst other priority mahi, the Board focused on the strategic pou of Strengthening RainbowYOUTH: our people, operations and governance. The outgoing members were critical to supporting our kaupapa while navigating waters both familiar and new.

E mihi nui ana ki a koutou for your service to not only RainbowYOUTH but in the intersecting sector we function in. Board members for RainbowYOUTH are volunteer positions, their strategic mahi for our kaupapa is balanced alongside their commitments to other kaupapa in their respective whānau, mahi and communties.

Your efforts have not gone un-noticed, we thank you again for strength and care that gives us the strength and care needed to serve those who walk through our doors.

We wish you will for the next steps in your lives.

Ngā mihi nui,
Co-Chairs, Shawn & Tee
on behalf of the RainbowYOUTH Executive Board

20/05/2026

InsideOUT and Rainbow Youth urge all parties in Parliament to vote down the ‘Definition of Woman and Man’ bill at first reading.

To our transgender, takatāpui, and MVPFAFF+ whānau: you are strong, you are resilient, and your existence is undeniable; it is not to be defined by others. You are the ultimate authority on who you are. Trans people have always existed, and no bill can erase that reality.

These moments not only require us to loudly oppose discriminatory actions, but even more loudly express our support for trans people. Let’s leave no room for doubt that trans people are welcome as they are, and there is no need for this bill. Not now. Not ever.