The showpiece of Auckland's gay and lesbian community in February all but died last night when the Hero Incorporated Society was wound up.
The society, which was debt-free, owned the intellectual property rights to the Hero Parade which would now revert to the Hero Charitable Trust, said society chairwoman Ann Speir.
The
trust debt is believed to be more than $140,000, and Ms Speir, who is also a trust member, said the trustees were still debating its future.
She said she could not promise the Hero Parade in February would go ahead.
"But I can't promise it won't either.
"Hero has to get itself together, talk to its creditors and sort out where it will go from here. I think there will be some Hero events but exactly what form they take has yet to be decided."
Financial problems curtailed the summer parade earlier this year to less than a quarter of its usual size. Instead the organisers ran the 2002 Hero Pride March.
About 10,000 onlookers watched the event, down from the estimated 100,000 who lined the streets at the height of the Hero Parade popularity.
Ms Speir said the organisers had faced huge burdens. Auckland City Council had made a financial contribution but had then taken more back in fees.
"It is disappointing that the incorporated society did not work but that is not to say Hero is dead," she said.
- NZPA
