Hundreds gather for Wellington Pride Parade

Wellington Pride Festival parade. Picture / Frances Cook New Zealand Herald photograph by Frances Cook 18 March 2017

Crowds of Wellingtonians have turned out for the city's first Pride Parade in nearly 25 years.

With a theme of A World Of Fantasy, organisers say the event is about positive enthusiasm and excitement to celebrate Wellington's LGBT community.

Wellington Pride Festival parade. Photo / Frances Cook

Starting on Cambridge Street, the parade travelled down Courtenay Place and Taranaki Street, before arriving at Waitangi Park for Out In The Park.

Hundreds lined the streets along the parade route.

Whistles, bead necklaces and lollipops were handed out to the cheering crowd by drag queens and topless men.

Wellington Pride Festival parade. Photo/ Frances Cook

Labour and Green Party MPs were in attendance, as well as Wellington Mayor Justin Lester.

Labour MP Louisa Wall was greeted with a loud cheer when she called out to the crowd "every day's a gay day".

Police officers marched in uniform, with police dogs wearing superhero capes.

Corrections officers were asked not to attend, because of the department's record on transgender rights.

The landmark parade ended at Waitangi Park, for the 31st annual Out in the Park.

Police dogs turn out for the Wellington Pride Festival parade. Photo / Frances Cook

Wellington Pride chair Adrienne Girling greeted the exhuberant crowd, telling them the parade was a major moment for them.

"We just took the streets back, Wellington.

"It's amazing to see you fill up the park like this.

"We've grown exponentially in the last few years, have had an amazing response from the community, and it wouldn't be possible without support from you in the community."

Mayor Justin Lester also spoke to the crowd, first taking a selfie so he could prove "how much pride festival is growing."

Wellington Mayor Justin Lester's selfie with the Wellington Pride crowd. Photo / Justin Lester.

"We're tremendously proud of our Pride community.

"We support LGBTQI rights, we want to do more for the trans community, and to make sure every school in Wellington is safe.

"We want to have a city where everyone feels loved, everyone feels safe, everyone feels secure."

The entertainment will continue into this evening, with the Out in the Park afterparty where DJs will play from 9pm until late.

The Youth Ball will also be held from 6pm.

It's designed to give a positive ball experience for students whose school ball was unwelcoming.

LGBT teenagers often have a difficult time at school balls, as partners may be banned, or dress codes enforced that don't fit their gender identity.