Rainbow Voices Conference 2026

Day 1

Day 2

Speaker bios

8-9 July 2026

Jubilee Hall, 545 Parnell Road, Auckland

Welcome

E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā kārangatanga maha - tēnā koutou.

Me mihi ki a Io, nāna nei ngā mea katoa.

Me mihi ki ngā mate.

Me mihi ki ngā mana whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau.

Me mihi hoki ki a koutou katoa.

Ko Whānau-Paki te maunga.

Ko Mata-Au te awa.

Nō Iwikatea ahau.

Ko McLellan-Briggs tōku whānau.

Ko Lester tōku ingoa.

Kia ora koutou, nau mai, haere mai ki tēnei hui.

I warmly welcome you all to the Rainbow Voice Conference. It is a privilege to host us as we come together in this space, bringing our diverse identities, experiences, and voices.

We acknowledge the strength of the rainbow union movement-those who have stood together in solidarity to create safer, fairer, and more inclusive workplaces and communities. Their legacy reminds us of the power of collective voice and the importance of continuing that mahi.

We also recognise that we are meeting at a time when our communities are increasingly drawn into wider cultural debates. At times, these narratives can seek to divide or misrepresent us, rather than focusing on the real challenges that affect us all: fairness, wellbeing, dignity, and belonging.

This Rainbow Voice Conference is about grounding ourselves in what matters.

It is about lifting our voices, sharing our stories, and strengthening our connections.

It is about standing together with purpose and pride, and taking that message back to our unions, our members, and our workplaces.

Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa.

Day One - Wednesday 8 July

Theme: Building Context, Connection & Voice

8:15am	Registration
9:00am	Mihi Whakatau (Welcome & Opening)
9:30am	Morning Tea
9:50am	Opening Briefing & Housekeeping	Lester Briggs
10:15am	Keynote Address Trust, democracy, and organising This keynote sets the context for organising in today's environment, exploring how trust, information, and democracy influence workers' ability to organise collectively. Participants will: Understand how access to information impacts engagement and organising Explore the role of unions in building active and informed membership Identify how trust and communication support collective action.	Rachel Mackintosh (E tū)
11:00am	Reimagining Aotearoa	Melissa Ansell-Bridges (NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi)
12:00pm	Lunch & Rainbow Connect (Resource Fair & Networking)
1:30pm	Panel 1: Rainbow Issues in Aotearoa This panel features Members of Parliament from the rainbow community sharing their perspectives on current issues affecting LGBTQIA+ workers and communities in Aotearoa. The panel includes a facilitated Q&A, connecting national issues to workplace realities. Participants will: Understand how political decisions shape workplace conditions and rights Practice raising issues and engaging in discussion Identify how these issues create opportunities for workplace organising and conversations Explore links to collective bargaining and union campaigns.	Green MP Dr Lawrence Xu-nan & Labour MP Shanan Halbert Led by Out at Work Council.
2:45pm	Afternoon Tea
3:00pm	Workshop: Youth & Engagement This interactive session focuses on building future organisers and strengthening engagement. Participants will: Identify barriers and motivators for younger workers Learn approaches to engage and recruit members Identify and support delegates and emerging leaders Practice organising conversations and engagement strategies.	Xavier Walsh NZCTU Stand Up / Unite Union Co-president
4:00pm	Reflection & Close

Social event

Day 1, 5pm at The Lumsden

Day Two - Thursday 9 July

Theme: Inclusion, Leadership & Action

9:00am	Recap & Energiser
9:15am	Panel 2: Intersectionality This panel explores how intersectionality strengthens organising and union movements. Participants will: Understand how overlapping identities impact participation and engagement Identify barriers and opportunities for inclusive organising Explore approaches to engaging a broader and more diverse membership Strengthen their ability to build collective power.	Dr Penni Wolfgramm & Lauren Craig Led by Out at Work Council.
10:15am	Morning Tea	Lester Briggs
10:45am	Workshop: Inclusive Workplaces & Wellbeing This participatory workshop supports participants to envision inclusive workplaces where rainbow workers can thrive, linking inclusion directly to collective wellbeing and equitable workplace conditions, including access to Entitled Rainbow Employee (ERE) Leave. Using the Explore-Equalise-Educate framework, participants will: Explore current workplace experiences of inclusion, wellbeing, and access to supportive entitlements such as leave provisions Equalise shared challenges and barriers, including gaps in workplace policies (e.g. access to ERE leave, gender-affirming leave, and inclusive wellbeing supports) Educate toward practical workplace action, identifying how these issues can be advanced through organising and bargaining.	Max Wallace
12:00pm	Lunch
1:00pm	Whakamana i te Takatāpui Panel This panel features Māori rainbow leaders within unions, sharing their experiences and leadership in advancing outcomes for takatāpui workers. The session includes a facilitated Q&A, connecting cultural perspectives with workplace organising. Participants will: Deepen understanding of takatāpui identity and tikanga Māori in organising Identify ways to support culturally grounded organising approaches Explore pathways to strengthen leadership and participation Connect these insights to workplace practice and organising.	DJ Jones & Danielle Brown
2:15pm	Out at Work Council AGM Notice of Motion: "That the Out at Work Council of the NZCTU seek a mandate to develop and present a Rainbow Action Plan to the NZCTU National Affiliates Council outlining the issues, actions, and support our communities need from our unions in the workplace." General Business	Chair Lester Briggs
2:45pm	Afternoon Tea
3:00pm	Rainbow Voices Action Planning This session is a collective thinking and synthesis session, bringing together insights, experiences, and learning from across the conference to shape a shared Rainbow Voices Action Plan. The purpose of this session is to: Identify the key issues, priorities, and themes emerging from participants Gather collective input on the needs and expectations of rainbow workers across unions Develop a shared direction for organising and advocacy Inform a national-level action plan to be presented to the NZCTU National Affiliates Council and affiliated unions.	Led by Out at Work Council
3:45pm	Closing

Speakers

Danielle Brown

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