Rainbow Tick

25/08/2026

Sunday I received some news. News I was kind of expecting, but I don’t think you ever really know how to prepare yourself for something like this.

I’ve spent today reflecting on all the memories. The good, the bad, the ugly, the laughs, and of course, our cheeky lunch meetings at Josy’s. Now every time I order the duck risotto, I know I’ll think of you.

Sometimes people come into your life because you need a wake-up call, someone to believe in you, or that extra push to go further. You were that person for me.

I’ll never forget being in Christchurch, sitting in an Uber on my way to my next hui, when I got a call from HR telling me I was going to be the Manager of Education. I didn’t accept the role straight away because I needed to talk to you first. When I called you, before I could even say much, the first thing you said was, “Congratulations.” Then you told me you had put my name forward for it.

You believed in me before I had even fully believed in myself.

You taught me how to build my team, and I wish I could rewind time so we could interview all our Poly and Māori friends and build the best POC team ever.

Our last conversation will live rent-free in my mind forever. Just last week while I was driving to the PwC Tower for a hui with one of our clients, you reminded me that I am great. You reminded me that whatever doubt I had because of the people around me was just noise. That I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in if I wasn’t good at what I do.

I’ll carry those words with me.

And my favourite growling will forever be when I turned up to one of our law firms in a hoodie to present their accreditation certificate and you looked at me and said:

“Lance, you’re not a SW anymore.” 😂

Thank you for everything. For the kai we shared. For picking my nail colour before I went down to perform in RENT. For being the most lenient boss 😂. For the growlings, the laughs, the advice, the opportunities, the belief you had in me, and most importantly, for being my friend.

I’m so grateful our paths crossed.

Moe mai rā. Rest peacefully. ❤️🕊️

Forever in my heart.

05/10/2025

🌈 Let’s uplift our rainbow communities together!
We’re excited to support the Rainbow NZ Charitable Trust’s 2025 appeal — and invite our member organisations and wider community to join in.

✨ Two ways to get involved:
1️⃣ GiveOUT Day 2025 – championing generosity and connection across Aotearoa.
2️⃣ Glam & Give – the flagship fundraising evening of celebration, connection and generosity on Friday, 7 November 2025.

Here’s how your organisation can make a difference:
💫 Contribute auction items or donations to help raise vital funds.
💫 Promote GiveOUT Day within your networks — every post helps spread the word.
💫 Purchase tickets and join us at Glam & Give: events.humanitix.com/glam-and-give/tickets
🔗 Learn more: rainbownzcharitabletrust.org.nz/giveout-day-2025-3527

Together, we can amplify the impact of these initiatives and continue to build a more inclusive Aotearoa.

03/10/2025

🌈 Our new resource is here! ‘Creating Inclusive Workplaces for Rainbow Communities – Why inclusion matters and its far-reaching benefits’

The report explores:

🔎 The current state of workplace safety and inclusion for Rainbow employees in Aotearoa and overseas
🔎 The importance of workplace diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and the tangible benefits it brings for people and for organisations

Informed by the lived experiences of Rainbow employees and extensive workplace research, it shares powerful insights and a clear call to action for all senior leaders and workplace decision-makers. Now is the time to reaffirm DEI commitments and take deliberate action to ensure workplaces are truly safe and inclusive for Rainbow communities.

We encourage you to share this resource widely, reflect on its findings, and consider how your workplace can better support Rainbow employees. The benefits are clear, and together we can build workplaces where everyone feels safe, valued and empowered to thrive.

📘 Download the full report: https://lnkd.in/ggTJN7vR

27/06/2025

This year there have been increasing acts of hate directed at the Rainbow community. On Saturday, in downtown Auckland, rainbow flags were burnt along with other acts of hate and division targeting faith-based and migrant communities. Such acts of hatred have no place in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The true meaning of community means embracing diversity and enhancing the mana of all. Toitū Takatāpui hold firm to our kaupapa of creating workplaces that empower rainbow employees and that extends dignity and respect to all.

Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.
With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive.

17/06/2025

We’re proud to share that Rainbow NZ Charitable Trust
is now an official beneficiary of our kaupapa.

From 2025 onwards, a portion of our profits will be directed to Rainbow NZ to help fund critical mahi in Aotearoa’s Rainbow communities—from scholarships and youth development to wellbeing initiatives and beyond.

This partnership reflects our shared values and commitment to uplift, invest in, and celebrate our diverse takatāpui and rainbow whānau.

Ngā mihi nui to the team at Rainbow NZ Charitable Trust for your tireless advocacy and vision. We’re excited about the journey ahead—together.

🔗 Read the full announcement

NickyFebruary 12, 2025 Categories News Tags From left to right: Prue Kapua - Board Chairperson of Kāhui Tu Kaha, Gurv Singh-Leask - RNZCT Co-Chair, Louisa Wall - Toitū Takatāpui Patron, Barbara Browne - Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive Officer at Kāhui Tu Kaha and Steven Oats - RNZCT TrusteeCeleb...

27/05/2025

We’re drawing on insights from The anti-DEI agenda: Navigating the impact of Trump’s second term on diversity, equity and inclusion (Eddy Ng et al., 2025 https://lnkd.in/gzWkZNdn) to inform how we support employers with navigating the backlash.

The research warns of the chilling effect in the U.S. and beyond. Companies not directly affected Trump’s executive orders are abandoning their DEI programs, not because of official directives, funding cuts, or legislative changes directly impacting them, but out of fear of potential legal risks, negative public backlash, and damage to their reputation from being seen as 'too woke'.

However, the actual risks of retreating from DEI are often underestimated, as shown by a recent example from U.S. retailers Target and Costco. Target scaled back its DEI efforts, not because they had to, but because it felt like the safest move. Soon after, they reported 11 consecutive weeks of declining foot traffic amidst countrywide boycotts and widespread public criticism on social media. In contrast, Costco reaffirmed its DEI commitment, stood by its values and people, and recorded 16 consecutive weeks of increased foot traffic. https://www.retailbrew.com/stories/2025/04/22/target-foot-traffic-down-for-11th-straight-week-after-caving-on-dei

The real risk is not in standing by DEI, but in ditching it. Now is the time for employers to reaffirm their commitment to DEI, their values, and their people.

What’s one positive step your organisation has taken towards inclusion recently?

26/05/2025

With Global Pride Month just around the corner, we’ve got resources to help you celebrate!🎉

🌈Our Celebrating Pride Month resource is packed with creative, educational, and engaging activity ideas to mark Pride in your workplace. ▶️Download it here.◀️

🌈If you’re a member organisation, you’ll also get access to our ready-to-go activity packs, complete with everything you need for a seamless, plug-and-play experience. Just email us at [email protected] and we’ll send you a copy.

Celebrating Pride in your workplace is a powerful way to raise awareness and demonstrate your commitment to Rainbow safety and inclusion, especially in today’s climate. Let’s stand strong this Global Pride! 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

22/05/2025

Join Us for a Free Online Webinar: Global Pride

As Pride is celebrated across the world in different ways, it’s important to reflect on how global movements for inclusion, equity, and visibility are shaped by local cultures, histories, and communities.

We’re excited to host a free online webinar exploring Global Pride — how it’s marked in different parts of the world, the challenges faced by rainbow communities, and the ways people are standing proud and standing together.

Date: 26 June 2025
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (NZST)
Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/Ap8EVz5JdQ

Whether your part of the Rainbow community, an ally, or someone keen to learn, we’d love for you to be part of this kōrero.

16/05/2025

Today is IDAHOBIT – the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia.

At Toitū Takatāpui, we mark this day by honouring the strength, resilience, and mana of our Rainbow and Takatāpui communities — especially those who continue to face systemic discrimination and exclusion across Aotearoa and the world.

IDAHOBIT is not just a moment to stand in solidarity — it’s a call to action. It’s a reminder that equity, safety, and belonging are not optional. They are essential.

Toitū means to be enduring, to stand strong.
Takatāpui reflects a rich whakapapa of identity, culture, and love that predates colonisation.

We will continue to uplift our people, advocate for change, and create spaces where Takatāpui and all Rainbow whānau can thrive with pride and dignity.

Today, we ask:
What are you doing in your workplace, your whānau, and your community to challenge discrimination and affirm Rainbow lives?

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16/05/2025

It’s Pink Shirt Day 🩷 — and we’re rocking ours with pride!

At Toitū Takatāpui, we know that bullying doesn’t just happen in schoolyards. It shows up in workplaces, in whānau, in systems — and especially for our Rainbow and Takatāpui communities.

Pink Shirt Day is more than a dress code. It’s a wero (challenge) to stand up, speak out, and create safe spaces wherever we go. Whether you’re in a boardroom or on the marae, kindness, inclusion, and respect are never out of fashion.

So today we say:
Yes to mana-enhancing workplaces.
Yes to affirming every identity.
Yes to backing each other — in pink and every colour.

Wear it loud. Wear it proud. Stand against bullying in all its forms.

Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora – Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying!

Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand