Concert Kete honours Pride Month Photo: 123RF
The first homegrown Rainbow Games opens today in Auckland, welcoming 650 competitors from 20 countries.
Event director Tom Leonard said the games create a welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ people to try sport, some for the first time.
Social and competitive events will take place in 12 different sports, ranging from roller derby to swimming, from Friday to Sunday.
The weekend launches with an opening ceremony on Thursday night, including Kapa Haka and performances from Anika Moa, RuPaul's Drag Race star Anita Wigl'it, and drag king Hugo Grrrl.
Leonard said the event was born from queer and rainbow people feeling unwelcome in some traditional sporting environments.
"The story that I've heard already from the participants, is they've just not had great experiences in sport from their teenage years, and typically drop off the sport radar completely.
"That's one story I guess - helping them find a community through sport."
The opening ceremony of the Rainbow Games in Auckland. Photo: RNZ
While there are competitive athletes participating in events like New Zealand's first Gay and Lesbian tennis tournament, Leonard said the event has more of a focus on community sport, with many people trying something new.
"I hope they just have a really good time, make new connections, pick up a new hobby. There are a lot of people trying a sport for the first time or trying something new at this event, so it really builds new pathways for them."
Leonard also hoped the event would grow the number of rainbow sporting clubs across New Zealand to help the Rainbow Games grow in the future.
Funding for the event will continue every second year until 2028.