A look at Te Ngākau Civic Square events over the years

Take a walk down memory lane at some of the iconic events that have taken place in the square.  

Wellington’s first Pride Parade 

Wellington’s first Pride event was also a party. The origins of the Wellington Pride festival and parade can be traced to the Gay and Lesbian Fair, which started in 1986 as part of the Homosexual Law Reform campaign, and the Devotion Festival in 1991, held five years after the Reform Act passed. 

While the reforms were a step forward for queer rights in Aotearoa, social and political opposition remained strong, with ongoing panic over the AIDS crisis. Discrimination based on sexuality was still legal until the Human Rights Act of 1993. 

The Devotion Festival, organised by Peter Beardsley of the NZ AIDS Foundation, aimed to unite the community during this crisis and raise funds for the Awhina Centre. By 1992, it had become a popular dusk-to-dawn dance party at Shed 21 on the waterfront, featuring volunteer-led staging and a diverse line-up of performers. 

In 1993, Wellington City Council approved the first Pride parade, which included a float, classic cars, musicians, and transport for those living with AIDS. 

All Blacks Victory Parade – 2011 Rugby World Cup 

The 2011 Rugby World Cup victory marked New Zealand's second-ever Rugby World Cup win and the first in 24 years since their inaugural win in 1987. The tournament was held in New Zealand, and the victory parade in Wellington was one of the most memorable celebrations in the city’s history. 

The 2011 parade in Wellington gave the All Blacks a hero's welcome as they made their way through the city from Parliament to Te Ngākau Civic Square. Thousands of fans lined the streets to cheer on the team. The players, led by captain Richie McCaw, were transported in open-top buses and classic cars. The parade was a huge show of pride for the All Blacks, their fans, and the city. 

In 2011, a special sculpture commemorating New Zealand’s Rugby World Cup win was unveiled in Civic Square. The bronze and concrete Rugby World Cup celebration sculpture was designed to commemorate this historic victory and the cultural significance of the tournament to Aotearoa. 

All Blacks Victory Parade – 2015 Rugby World Cup 

When the All Blacks defeated Australia in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, they became the first team to win the Rugby World Cup twice in a row. This back-to-back victory was a landmark achievement in the sport’s history and solidified the All Blacks' reputation as one of the greatest rugby teams in the world. 

International Sevens Tournament parades 

Wellington had a long-standing tradition of hosting the HSBC Wellington Sevens, which was part of the World Rugby Sevens Series before it moved to Hamilton in 2018. This event became one of the most popular and anticipated sporting events on the Wellington calendar, attracting thousands of spectators from around the world. 

The Rugby Sevens Parade and celebration often took place on the Sunday of the tournament weekend. This parade became one of the most anticipated events of the Sevens, and its route often ended at Te Ngākau Civic Square, where there would be live music and costumes.  

Sakai Sister City events 

Wellington has a number of sister city relationships, and Civic Square has hosted events celebrating these international ties. These events often feature cultural exchange, performances, and food from Wellington’s sister cities, such as Sakai and Suva. 

Rally for the Hobbit film to be made in New Zealand 

There was a rally held in Civic Square against the potential offshore production of The Hobbit films. This rally was part of the broader public outcry surrounding the decision to move the production of The Hobbit away from New Zealand, potentially impacting the local economy and employment.  

The rally attracted a large crowd, with many people holding balloons and signs to show their support for keeping the filming of The Hobbit in New Zealand. Celia Wade-Brown, who was the Mayor of Wellington at the time, and Richard Taylor of Weta Workshop, which played a key role in the production of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit, were among the speakers at the rally.  

Summer City events 

In 1978, there was a nationwide family programme created to promote family recreation. Wellington City Council, created a series of ‘Summer City’ events as a response to this, with many of the activities held in Civic Square.  

This included events such as New Years Eve celebrations, lunchtime activities, fireworks displays, fun runs, a week-long international festival, Motorcycle road racing, and BMX racing.

Black Ferns’ 2017 World Cup victory parade 

The Black Ferns, New Zealand’s women’s rugby team, achieved a historic victory in the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup, which was held in Ireland. This marked the fifth time the Black Ferns had won the prestigious tournament, reinforcing their dominance in women’s rugby. 

After the thrilling final, the Black Ferns returned to New Zealand to a celebration in Te Ngākau Civic Square. The victory parade was held in 2017 with thousands of fans lining the streets to show their support for the team. 

Hurricanes’ Super Rugby parade 

The Hurricanes made history in 2016 when they won their first-ever Super Rugby title, defeating the Lions in the final. This was a long-awaited triumph for the Wellington-based team, who had previously reached the final in 2006 but were defeated by the Crusaders. The victory was marked with a parade through Wellington, with thousands of fans gathering in the city to celebrate the win.

While this list shows only some of the events held in Civic Square, there have been many more across the decades with more to come in the future. 

To find out more about the works in Te Ngākau, you can visit our website or keep up to date with the projects happening in Wellington city on the Positively Pōneke site.