Overview
Karangahape Road is the home of Auckland's rainbow community. The street and surrounding area has a very special relationship with diversity, from the origins of Māori chief Hape through to 2021. Just in time to mark the end of Auckland Pride Month, the stretch will welcome Auckland's first rainbow crossing.
The fabulous rainbow crossing will be installed in front of St Kevin's Arcade. The design will include the colours of the Progress Pride Flag, a more recent design created by international artist Daniel Quasar. The version of the flag includes a five-coloured chevron on the original Rainbow Flag to place greater emphasis on inclusion and progression. The black and brown stripes represent the often-marginalised LGBTQIA+ communities of colour, along with the colours pink, light blue and white, which are used to acknowledge the transgender community.
Claire Dixon, Auckland Transport's Community Transport Manager says that while these crossings are an exciting addition to Karangahape Road, the project is also aimed at raising awareness of pedestrian safety. The speed limit on Karangahape Road was reduced to 30 kilometres per hour in June 2020, in line with the new Speed Limits Bylaw.
The Rainbow Crossing is an additional project to the wider Karangahape Enhancement Project, a project that aims to preserve the road's unique character, while creating a street environment that supports the local community and meets the needs of a growing population.