Do you want to see Tauranga Moana recognise and celebrate diversity and inclusion? 

Help us secure a bright, bold and colourful symbol of diversity and inclusion for Tauranga Moana. We are a better world when we celebrate our differences.

A Rainbow Crossing, or Rainbow street art, is a method of showcasing our whole society diversity. It says we're a modern city and we value everyone who calls Taurana Moana home.

It's also a super cool way of brightening up our CBD. For too long we've heard about empty shops and dreary streetscapes. Let's fix that with all the colours of the Rainbow.

Mihi ki taku whanau tangata

Why is it important to celebrate and honour The Rainbow Flag?

100’s of thousands of LGBTQIA people from all corners of the globe have fought and died in the quest for human rights over the years. In 2023 alone in the United States, 320 Trans people were murdered just for being themselves. 

Like any bully, those who seek to vilify and hate will always pick on a demographic they view as an easy target and for many throughout history, the LGBTQIA community has been that target. 
Hitler murdered 10’s of thousands of gay men during The Holocaust.
Six thousand men have been hung in Iran since 1979, their only crime being who they loved. 

Closer to home, Aotearoa New Zealand has the highest youth suicide rate in the Western World and LGBTQIA people have a far higher chance of dying by their own hand than any other demographic. 
The news of just the last few years is filled with horrifying scenes of violence, threats, and intimidation directed toward LGBTQIA communities in Tauranga and across the motu. 

Can you imagine each day worrying about whether you can hold your partner's hand in public for fear of attack? Or having to consider where you travel for fear of imprisonment? 
How about never knowing whether you didn't get that job because of some hidden discrimination? Or worse, being unhappy to the point of ill-health as you worry how your family and friends might react to the news you so desperately want to keep secret.

Our new generations can grow into our world understanding that we are better for celebrating our differences as people.
We are a more informed society, a better educated, more cultured, innovative, creative, and loving world when we appreciate each other for precisely who we are.

Why a Rainbow Crossing? 

The meaning of The Rainbow Flag and Rainbow Crossings can be subjective. Like all things, progress and different understandings create discussion. And that’s a good thing. 

Many would argue that while The Rainbow Flag and so The Rainbow Crossing was born in the fight for LGBTQIA rights, today they can represent all of us. In our minorities are our majority and when we understand and celebrate all our cultures, ethnicities, sexualities, gender identities, and beliefs together, we’ll all be better humans. 

In 1925, Gandi said “Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization."

We need Rainbow Crossings as a bright, bold, clear statement of our need, our love of diversity and how an understanding of differing perspectives leads to a better world. 

Please help us now in signing this petition asking Tauranga City Council to understand the value of Rainbow Crossings and to...

1. install a Rainbow Crossing (Street Art) in Tauranga's CBD now
2. to ensure a Rainbow Crossing forms a major element of the new civic precinct.

Want to know more? Do you know where the idea of Rainbow Crossings originated? Or where the Rainbow Flag came from and what it means today? 

Check out our blog here...

Follow us on Facebook here..., or on Instagram here. 

Thanks for reading and your support. Big hugs.