ILGA Conferences Have Been Held Since 1978

They are the place where members and allies of the only federation of LGBTI organisations meet to share their experience and best practices, strategise, build alliances and partnerships, and elect their representatives.

ILGA Oceania helped lead the bid to allow New Zealand to host the ILGA World Conference in 2019.

To all the LGBTIQ+ leaders and members of ILGA throughout the world, thank you for joining us for the first time in Oceania. We hope to welcome you again to the Great Pacific Ocean again in the years to come.

We want to especially thank the Host Rōpū of Intersex Trust Aotearoa New Zealand, Tīwhanawhana Trust and RainbowYOUTH and our Co-Convenors at the time, Ymania Brown-Gabriel and Rāwā Karetai whom helped advocate for the 40th anniversary conference to be in Wellington a vibrant and LGBTIQ+-friendly capital of Aotearoa, New Zealand. 

The Host Rōpū identified six key values to guide their vision for the Wellington based World Conference:

Mana Motuhake, Te Tīriti o Waitangi, Whānau, Whanaungatanga, Manaaki Manuhiri and Pārekareka.

Mana Motuhake: Autonomy & Leadership 

We are each separate legal entities with our own Boards, staff (ITANZ/RY), volunteers and networks. 

We each maintain our own autonomy during this process and come to the table with an equal voice. 

We look for strength-based and value-based ways of working together to achieve our shared goals. 

Whānau: Intergenerational Roles & Responsibilities

At its most basic level Whānau implies belonging and inclusion with inherent responsibilities and accountability. 

The Bid Organisations represent and advocate for LGBTIQ+ people of every generation. 

We acknowledge the essential wisdom and experience of our kaumātua, pakeke and rangatahi; our elders, adults and young people so each has an equal voice in this process. 

Manaaki Manuhiri: Honouring Our Guests 

We will ensure our national and international guests enjoy their time in Wellington and in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Guests will feel safe within the Conference; physically, mentally and spiritually. 

We will provide social options that respect the diversity of culture, race, sex, gender, sexuality, age, class and ability we expect to attend. 

Te Tīriti o Waitangi: Decolonising Sexuality & Gender 

The impact of colonisation on the indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand is acknowledged through a stated commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi. 

That commitment is made operational through the involvement of Tīwhanawhana and the use of te reo and tikanga (Māori language and culture) in all aspects of the Bid and the World Conference itself. 

It also acknowledges the use of the term ‘takatāpui’ for Māori and other culturally based terms for diverse sexes, genders and sexualities.

Whanaungatanga: Extended Relationships 

Each of the Bid Organisations specialise in developing key relationships to benefit our combined communities. 

During this process, we will reinforce relationships with ILGA World and ILGA Oceania and with government, NGOs and corporate sectors. 

Most importantly, we will support building the capacity of the Rainbow communities of Wellington to host the Social Programme of the Conference. 

Pārekareka: Having Fun! 

Finally, we must have fun. 

The effort required to undertake this process will be lightened by intelligent wit and the compulsion to laugh together. 

We will deal with challenges with patience, good faith and great humour as we strive to be our ‘best selves’ in all circumstances. 

More about the HOst rōpū

Intersex Trust Aotearoa New Zealand (ITANZ)'

Vision

A world that supports bodily autonomy of all intersex people, provides safe, respectful care across the span of life.

Mission

Ending the shame secrecy and unnecessary cosmetic surgeries. Providing education, workshops and lectures with the goal of ensuring appropriate, respectful, treatment, and choices for all intersex people their families and loved ones.

Whakataukī

Huihuitia ō tātou ritenga; whakanuia ō tātou rerekētanga Gather up what we share in common; celebrate where we differ from each other.

Tīwhanawhana Trust

(Est 2001) 

Since the late 1980s, Māori with diverse sexes, genders and sexualities have increasingly adopted the identity of ‘takatāpui’ – a traditional Māori term which connects us to our ancestors and spirituality. As indigenous people on colonised land, takatāpui reclaim our histories to foster pride in who we are, where we come from, what we need and what we have to say.

Tīwhanawhana Trust was established for takatāpui to live our culture in a way that upholds our diversity; address racism and discrimination in LGBTIQ communities; and combat homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in Māori society. 

Tīwhanawhana promotes the health and well-being of takatāpui as we seek to “tell our stories, build our communities and leave a legacy.” Understanding the connectedness of all things, Tīwhanawhana is involved in local and national projects including primary health care, mental health, sexual health, suicide prevention, human rights, education, youth development, housing, homelessness, research; and sexual, intimate partner and other violence.

Tīwhanawhana is spearheading an intersectional and intergenerational National Rainbow Strategy to coordinate effort across our diverse cultures, sexes, genders, and sexualities.

Through our work, we aim to guide a national movement that honours our ancestors, respects our elders, works closely with our peers and looks after our young people.

Vision

Tiwhanawhana ai he kahukura i te rangi – A Rainbow is Forming in the Sky which speaks to both inclusiveness and leadership.

Mission

Takatāpui to ‘tell our stories, build our communities and leave a legacy’.

RainbowYOUTH (RY)

RainbowYOUTH (est.1989) is a charitable organisation dedicated to helping young queer and gender diverse (LGBTIQ) people up to the ages of 28, as well as their wider communities. We provide referral, peer-support groups, information, a drop‑in centre, resources, training and volunteer opportunities. At RainbowYOUTH, we’re about fostering a safe, inclusive, accepting and diverse family environment. 

We are drug, smoke, and alcohol free. Our motto is Know Who You Are, Be Who You Are.

The Tiwhanawhana Trust in Wellington have gifted us a version of our motto in te reo

Māori: Whaia to ake ngakaunui, i te pono, i te marama. Simply translated, it means: Follow your desires with truth and clarity.

Vision

Acceptance of the diversity of sexuality and gender in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Know Who You Are, Be Who You Are. Whaia to ake ngakaunui, i te pono, i te marama - Follow your desires with truth and clarity.

Mission

Fostering a safe, inclusive, accepting and diverse family environment.