InsideOUT Kōaro is celebrating a positive shift in support for rainbow and takatāpui young people, with over 250 schools and community groups taking part in Schools’ Pride Week Aotearoa 2026.
Running from 15 – 19 June, Schools’ Pride Week supports school communities to celebrate rainbow students, staff and whānau, increase belonging and bring positive rainbow representation into school life and learning.
This year’s participation marks an increase from the past two years, following a downturn linked to sustained anti-rainbow rhetoric, disinformation and backlash directed at the campaign and rainbow communities more broadly.
InsideOUT Kōaro Chief Executive Judy O’Brien says the increase is a hopeful sign.
“At a time when rainbow and takatāpui communities are facing continued public scrutiny, misinformation and political debate, it is incredibly heartening to see more schools choosing to show visible support for their rainbow students, staff and whānau,” says O’Brien.
“Schools’ Pride Week is about belonging. It gives schools a way to say clearly: rainbow young people are valued here, your whānau are welcome here. You deserve to feel safe and seen.”
This year’s participating groups include early childhood centres, home school groups, kura, primary, intermediate and secondary schools, tertiary providers and community groups, with many taking part for the first time. In-school activities are optional, with many of the celebrations being led by student groups.
The 2026 theme, ‘Community is Home’, celebrates the safe havens created by chosen whānau and rainbow communities, where young people can be authentically and unapologetically themselves. This year’s campaign includes a snail motif, recognising that rainbow and takatāpui people carry home, identity and community with them wherever they go, from the biggest cities to the smallest regional towns.
As part of the campaign, InsideOUT Kōaro has also facilitated a letter-writing project, inviting rainbow adults and young people to share aspirations, affirmations and dreams for takatāpui, MVPFAFF+ and rainbow rangatahi.
“These letters are a reminder to young people that they belong, that they are part of a much bigger community. There are people across Aotearoa who are proud of them and fighting for their futures,” says O’Brien.
Schools’ Pride Week comes at a time when rainbow young people continue to face disproportionate levels of bullying and exclusion.
The Youth Health & Wellbeing Survey 2025 (of around 9,400 young people aged 13 – 19 across Aotearoa) found:
- 15.2% of students aged 13-19 identified as rainbow. Of these students, 41% reported experiencing bullying at school within the last 12 months (compared with 23% of their peers), with rainbow students more likely to report.
- 21.3% of all students report being bullied because of their rainbow or gender diverse identity, one of the most common bullying reasons identified in the survey.
- The majority of students (73%) agreed that their school is supportive of LGB (lesbian, gay and bisexual) people, however fewer (68.9%) agree their school is supportive of takatāpui, trans and gender diverse people.
The University of Auckland’s Now We Are 15: Mental Health and Wellbeing study found a direct correlation between experiences of discrimination and poorer mental health outcomes.
“These statistics confirm what we already know: visible support matters,” says O’Brien. “Feeling safe, celebrated and valued at school is foundational to young people’s wellbeing and learning. Schools’ Pride Week is one way school communities can build that sense of belonging.”
Alongside school-based activities, InsideOUT Kōaro is running a nationwide poster campaign over the next two weeks, sharing messages of pride and community.
“Rainbow and takatāpui young people make the world a brighter place. We want them to know that their communities are right here with them,” says O’Brien.
Schools’ Pride Week Aotearoa coincides with Out on the Shelves, InsideOUT Kōaro’s campaign supporting school and community libraries to showcase and expand their rainbow collections, helping young people access stories that reflect their lives and futures.
Learn more about Schools’ Pride Week Aotearoa: pride.school.nz