Is New Zealand Gay-Friendly?

Interesting Cities to Explore in New Zealand

AUCKLAND

Serving as the primary entry point to New Zealand for the overwhelming majority of its visitors, Auckland also holds the distinction of being the largest city in Polynesia, with an urban populace of just over one and a half million inhabitants. Unsurprisingly, Auckland boasts the most extensive LGBTQ+ community within the nation, centered mostly downtown, on the trendy and artistic Karangahape Road (simply K Road to locals) and Ponsonby Road. Auckland Pride, staged annually in February, represents the country's most prominent event. Auckland is sometimes referred to as the "City of Sails" due to the profusion of sailboats perpetually visible in its stunning harbor—capitalizing on the country's warmest and sunniest metropolitan climate.

WELLINGTON

Step aside, Chicago—the genuine Windy City globally is Wellington, thanks to its location on the strait dividing the North and South Islands. The capital of New Zealand, the delightful Wellington, is also its second-biggest city—and despite what Aucklanders may express, it's considered the nation's cultural heart too, featuring a noteworthy collection of museums, galleries, and theaters for a city of its comparatively modest size (around four hundred and twenty thousand residents). While there isn't a distinct gayborhood, the most varied venues are located along Courtenay Place and Cuba Street within the fashionable Te Aro district at the city's core.

CHRISTCHURCH

Situated on the eastern shore of the South Island, Christchurch, New Zealand's third-biggest city, is known as the "Garden City" due to its many parks and green spaces. It's also recognized as the most "English" city in the country, with many Gothic Revival and Edwardian structures—although many of these, like the city's celebrated cathedral, were severely damaged during a 2011 earthquake. As reconstruction persists, the city is undergoing a striking and exceedingly creative revival. Its LGBTQ+ community is smaller, yet it's the largest on the South Island.

QUEENSTOWN

Positioned on the edges of the South Island's Lake Wakatipu and framed by the magnificent Southern Alps, the stunning Queenstown is New Zealand's adventure capital, in addition to being the starting point for exploring the area's highly esteemed wineries and vineyards. Speaking of launching off, just twenty minutes away is the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge, the birthplace of commercial bungee jumping and still one of the most frequented locations for this activity worldwide. WinterPride Queenstown, the premier LGBTQ+ alpine festivity in the Southern Hemisphere, occurs every late August to early September.

Captivating Attractions to Visit in New Zealand

WAIHEKE ISLAND

Just a forty-minute ferry trip from downtown Auckland, upscale Waiheke (pronounced why-heck-ee) is a paradisiacal enclave of vineyards, olive groves, beaches, and vibrant art galleries, a relic of the island's bohemian past. Around thirty wineries are based on Waiheke, earning it the moniker "Island of Wine." For those not inclined to unwind, zip lining and kayaking are popular Waiheke pastimes too.

BAY OF ISLANDS

Not only is the Bay of Islands one of New Zealand's most frequented summertime destinations, but it also holds significant historical importance within the country, as the site of both early Māori migrations and the initial permanent British settlement. Situated near the crest of the North Island, the waters encircling the bay's 144 islands furnish boundless opportunities for sailing, yachting, scuba diving, fishing, and kayaking. Essential land-based locales include the last of the grand and ancient kauri trees in Waipoua Forest; and Waitangi, the site of the important 1840 treaty of the same name, and now, a flourishing educational hub for Māori culture.

MATAMATA

Once merely a tranquil rural town about two hours south of Auckland, Matamata was thrust onto the international stage with the 2001 release of the movie The Lord of the Rings, in which its picturesque beauty served as the setting for Middle Earth. Presently, the town wholeheartedly embraces its cinematic connection, especially with its widely-enjoyed and elaborate Hobbiton Movie Set tour, complete with forty-four hobbit holes.

MILFORD SOUND

Previously lauded as the "eighth wonder of the world" by Rudyard Kipling, Milford Sound is an explosion of natural beauty, a glacier-sculpted fiord encompassed by dramatic mountains with cascading waterfalls, frequently kissed by rainbows through their mists. Appreciate the comprehensive splendor on a leisurely cruise, or via your own efforts on a kayak excursion—then, venture beneath the surface to the captivating Milford Sound Underwater Observatory.

ROTORUA

The geothermal marvels at Rotorua have been revered by the Māori for centuries, and today, they remain a favorite destination for travelers who come not only for the steaming geysers, thermal mud pools, and calming spas, but also for the Māori cultural experiences at places like Whakarewarewa, Tamaki, and Te Puia.

New Zealand Cuisine

A blend of Māori heritage, British influence, and Kiwi innovation, New Zealand's cuisine makes generous use of local ingredients, especially the abundance of seafood derived from having fifteen thousand kilometers (9,300 miles) of natural coastline. Crayfish, Bluff oysters, mussels, scallops, monkfish, salmon, and kina (a local sea urchin delicacy) are just a few popular New Zealand menu options from the sea. Hangi is another cherished Kiwi treat, utilizing the traditional Māori method of slow cooking within an underground oven, typically including chicken, pork, or mutton (or combinations thereof), and a variety of vegetables. Kiwi burgers are found everywhere in New Zealand, and while many variations exist, what unites them all is the incorporation of a fried egg and beetroot along with the burger patty and bun. For dessert, the resounding Kiwi favorites are hokey pokey ice cream (made with caramelized honeycomb) and pavlova, a meringue-based cake topped with fresh fruit.

Safety Considerations for LGBTQ+ Visitors to New Zealand

New Zealand is consistently ranked among the most welcoming countries worldwide for LGBTQ+ travelers. New Zealand tied for tenth on the 2020 Spartacus Gay Travel Index, which assesses the safety of LGBTQ+ individuals in every country. When she was elected mayor of the town of Carteton in 1995, Georgina Beyer became the world's first transgender mayor, followed a few years later in 1999 by becoming the world's inaugural transgender member of parliament. Marriage equality has been present in New Zealand since two thousand and thirteen. LGBTQ+ visitors should not face overt discrimination in New Zealand's major cities, though it's always wisest to remember that bias can arise anywhere, and attitudes in smaller towns and the countryside may be less progressive.

LGBTQ+ Travel Advice for New Zealand

Auckland and Wellington both have bustling LGBTQ+ communities, albeit understandably not as extensive as those in larger metropolises such as Sydney and Melbourne. Auckland Pride in February represents the country's paramount, followed both in scale and on the calendar by Wellington Pride, from late February to early March. The smaller Christchurch Pride takes place in March. The nation's foremost winter LGBTQ+ event is WinterPride Queenstown, which styles itself as the most popular Winter Pride celebration in the Southern Hemisphere. While New Zealand no longer presents a dedicated annual showcase of LGBTQ+ films, the New Zealand International Film Festival (which occurs from late July to early August) invariably includes a very strong LGBTQ+ section.

Biography

Dan Allen, a veteran LGBTQ+ travel journalist and author, has long cherished all things New Zealand. Based in Los Angeles, he contributes regularly to NBC Out, Passport, Edge Media Network, and the Los Angeles Blade, in addition to numerous mainstream travel publications, such as TravelZoo and American Way.

Image credit: @thebackpackingblondie