Spy: Kiwi celebs celebrating with Pride

Team Jacinda vs Team Kaye. Photos / File

It's Pride time and the celebration of Auckland's LGBT rainbow community.

In a jam-packed February calendar, culminating with the Pride Parade on February 21, one of the stand-outs is the Annual Great Pride Debate on February 12 at GalatosLive on K Rd.

For the third time, Auckland Central MP, Nikki Kaye will head a team of three taking on a team led by Auckland Labour list MP Jacinda Ardern in what promises to be an unforgettable evening of comedy and politics.

Team Kaye has Act leader and MP David Seymour, writer and comedian Eli Matthewson. Team Ardern features 7 Days comedians Josh Thomson and Urzila Carlson.

The moot this year is - Is bigger better? Adjudicating is the chart-topping singer and emerging comedienne Anika Moa.

Neither team would reveal any secrets, but as Ardern's team has won the past two debates, she gets first word.

"I am loath to give away any of our strategy - that would also require us to have one," she told Spy.

"I have no doubt it will be just as much fun as it has been for the past two debates."

Speaking of her past Pride debate record, Kaye was quick to point out: "I have beaten Jacinda in two elections and it would be nice to finally beat her in the debate.

I blame a glut of left-wing comediennes for an unfair advantage."

Seymour told Spy his Crane Brothers' pink shirt was being dry-cleaned and he would have plenty of wisecracks ready for the moot.

Funds raised from the evening will go to Body Positive, an HIV charity.

Ardern will also feature on her own float in the parade.

"Pride this year is particularly special, as it's the 30th anniversary of homosexual law reform.

"It's a reminder of some of the important gains that have been made, but also
a celebration.

"I am looking forward to having some of the people who voted for that important law change as part of our float," Ardern told Spy.