Hundreds protest outside controversial conference in Wellington

At least 500 people, many carrying rainbow flags and placards, have gathered for a pro-trans solidarity rally in central Wellington.

Pōneke Anti-Fascist Coalition and Queer Endurance in Defiance were protesting in front of Te Papa, across the road from Wellington’s new conference centre Tākina, where a controversial conference was taking place Saturday afternoon.

The conference was organised by Inflection Point NZ to stop what it calls “gender indoctrination and medicalisation” of children.

Speakers at the ‘Unsilenced Summit’ include Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki, former National Party MP Simon O’Connor and British activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull (also known as Posie Parker, appearing via videolink).

A conference organiser told RNZ that 360 people were attending the event.

Hundreds gathered outside Te Papa’s Tākina conference centre in Wellington on 18 May, 2024, while a controversial event took place inside.
Photo: RNZ / Rachel Helyer-Donaldson

Meanwhile, a protester was understood to have caused a mighty stink inside the capital’s sleek new convention centre.

Both security guards and police outside Tākina said a person – who they described as a protester – had dropped a bottle contained putrid-smelling material outside the conference centre on the footpath, but the wind had blown the smell inside.

The footpath appeared clean, but inside Tākina there was an extremely strong sewage-like smell.

Rally emcee Tristian Cordelia said the use of the stink bomb was not sanctioned by organisers. It was probably set off by someone from the rally, but using a different protest tactic.

Cordelia said their own approach to such events was not to shut them down, but to show up.

Hundreds gathered outside Te Papa’s Tākina conference centre in Wellington on 18 May, 2024, while a controversial event took place inside.
Photo: RNZ / Rachel Helyer-Donaldson

The aim of the rally was to ensure that trans people felt welcome and safe because knowing there such a big event in the city could make people feel fearful, they said.

Earlier in the week, Te Papa said it was considering cancelling the conference’s booking over safety concerns, and Mayor Tory Whanau said she was deeply concerned the rhetoric being discussed at the event would be harmful to the trans and queer community.

But the museum later decided to go ahead with the event, saying it would actively monitor the situation.

Te Papa chief executive Courtney Johnston said they supported the rights of trans people, Takatāpui and all members of Rainbow communities.

Hundreds gathered outside Te Papa’s Tākina conference centre in Wellington on 18 May, 2024, while a controversial event took place inside.
Photo: RNZ / Rachel Helyer-Donaldson

Hundreds gathered outside Te Papa’s Tākina conference centre in Wellington on 18 May, 2024, while a controversial event took place inside.
Photo: RNZ / Rachel Helyer-Donaldson