The annual Queenstown Winter Pride Festival kicks off today with events across Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona, Treble Cone and downtown with a snowsports celebration of and with the LGBTQI+ community.
However organisers have been rocked this week by the theft of 30 WinterPride flags removed from poles in Queenstown.
The Queenstown police are investigating the vandalism that occurred on the eve of Winter Pride.
“While we can’t know the motive for removing these flags until we have identified those responsible, we know how frustrating it is for the organisers of this vibrant festival that injects a real boost to our city,” said Sergeant Steve Watt.
“We’re keen to hear from anyone who might have information about this theft, or who knows who is responsible.”
The removal of the Winter Pride flags took a concerted and deliberate effort to climb lamp posts to remove them. Each flag costs $400 to produce.
This is not the first act of vandalism for Winter Pride, in 2023 the festival received hate graffiti and other acts of homophobia.
The organisers of Winter Pride have set up a fundraising site to recover the costs of the flags and create new ones.
