Big Gay Out: Colourful display of pride

A colourful display of gay pride has attracted hundreds of people out to this year's Big Gay Out festival.

Coyle Park, in Auckland's Pt Chevalier, is packed with members of the gay community as well as many families.

Image 1 of 9: Miss Ribena is helped into her costume at the Big Gay Out held at Coyle Park. Photo / New Zealand Herald Photograph / Dean Purcell.

There are a number of drag queens dressed up to the nines - with large eccentric head pieces and sparkly costumes.

Miss Ribena, kitted out in a silver and purple get-up, strutted down the carpark as members of the public and media began snapping away.

"The queen is here!"

There are about 100 stalls, as well as a main stage which had been blasting the likes of Beyonce and Katy Perry from its speakers throughout the afternoon.

Prime Minister John Key arrived after 2pm and was treated like a celebrity - with several young people approaching him for photos and a number of selfies.

Mr Key made his way towards the main stage, where he gave a short speech. As he started speaking, there were cheers but also a lot of "boos" and heckling from the crowd.

Mr Key, however, smiled and told the crowd: "Hello, how are you all? It's good to be back at The Big Gay Out. This is the ninth time I've been here."

Mr Key told the crowd one of the key messages he wanted to push today was encouraging everyone to practice safe sex and to get regularly tested.

He later posed with drag queens dressed in bright coloured costumes.

Labour leader Andrew Little was also at today's festival - the first time he had attended the event.

His message was making sure those in the gay community were treated fairly and equally.

He also stressed that the festival was about celebrating diversity in New Zealand.