AUT is proud and sustainable at Auckland Pride Parade
AUT is #AUTproud to be involved once again with the Auckland Pride Parade which takes place this Saturday.
As well as being proud, AUT is also being sustainable at this year’s Pride. A special biodegradable float is being put together for the celebration. Featuring over one thousand biodegradable and compostable balloons, AUT’s spectacular float will stretch for ten metres along Ponsonby Road.
The move to make AUT’s Auckland Pride festivities environmentally friendly supports the university’s commitment to being environmentally, socially, culturally as well as economically sustainable in all our operations. A university Taskforce for Sustainability was established in 2012 with a number of goals identified for the university to achieve over a 10-year period.
Lindsey du Preez, AUT Sustainability Officer, congratulated the Pride team’s endeavours this year.
“AUT is committed to being a university for a more sustainable world and we applaud the efforts of those involved with Pride to reduce the amount of waste produced at this event.”
Out@AUT staff network co-chair, Tim Davison emphasised; “we’re so excited to be taking part in Auckland Pride again this year. With more staff and students being involved than ever before, combined with our efforts to make sure #AUTproud is also sustainable, this float is certain to be our best yet.”
As well as using biodegradable material, the Pride team are also reusing a number of props from previous years’ involvement in the parade to ensure AUT is as sustainable as possible.
The support of so many staff and students during Pride events including ‘Big Gay Out’ and the parade is invaluable to AUT’s rainbow community.
“It has been heartening to see so many staff and students getting involved this year, particularly people that perhaps don’t identify as part of the rainbow community, but still want to show their support. It has been amazing to have the AUT community stand side by side, irrespective of background or experience. It shows the values of equality, acceptance and mutual respect are alive and well at AUT,” Tim continued.
Come along to Ponsonby Road from 7:30pm to see AUT in the Auckland Pride Parade. It is guaranteed to be AUT's most vibrant and colourful yet.