The fifth annual Auckland Pride Parade has roared into life on Ponsonby Road - with thousands of people lining the street to take in the festivities.
'The Boss' Bruce Springsteen and the annual Pride Parade headlined a 'Super Saturday' for the City of Sails yesterday.
Tens of thousands of people made the most of an epic day of entertainment and fine weather in the Auckland region - a day which dished up some of the bestofferings around of music, culture and cuisine.
Music fans rocked late into the night at Mt Smart Stadium as Springsteen dipped into his vast array of hits during the second and final night of his New Zealand tour.
About 20km away, Ponsonby Rd was transformed into a vibrant sea of colour and costumes as the Pride Parade roared into life at 7.30pm.
The parade - the biggest event of the annual Pride Festival - featured 50 floats with hundreds of entertainers and marchers also taking part.
Tens of thousands of people lined the road as the parade made its way up one of Auckland's most-loved streets, before finishing at Western Park.
Drag queen Ms Chocolate, who was marching with the New Zealand police, said it was fantastic to come back every year and find the parade bigger and more fabulous.
Dressed in a rainbow feather ruffle, a sparkling silver crown with matching lipstick and and a feathered tutu with towering glittery heels, Ms Chocolate said the inclusion of the New Zealand Police sent a message to members of the LGBT community they could feel safe even if they hadn't in the past.
"We've got such a diverse country. Happy Pride 2017."
Green Party MP Julie-Ann Genter also took part in the parade, amongst a contingent of other members of the Greens.
Genter - who lost last night's Mt Albert byelection to Jacinda Ardern - said her party "absolutely supported the rainbow community" which was why she was marching.
"We have had a long standing connection with the LGBT community," she said.
Earlier in the day, tens of thousands of meat and BBQ lovers flocked to ASB Showgrounds with a hunger for the Meatstock event.
The Auckland Pride Parade held on Ponsonby Road. Photo / Dean Purcell
A celebration of all things meat and BBQ cooking - including over the coals - the event highlighted the talents of some of our best chefs, as well as featuring American BBQ master Moerlando "Big Moe" Cason.
The event continues today.
Food was also a big part of the Japan Day event at The Cloud.
A traditional Japanese beer garden proved popular at the cultural celebration, while taste buds were satisfied with an array of authentic street food.
In Remuera, the Shore Road Reserve was transformed into a polo arena for the popular Urban Polo event.
It wasn't just the players and majestic horses that kept the crowed entertained though as DJs provided off-arena entertainment for spectators into the evening.
Meanwhile, fine weather is forecast across much of New Zealand in the coming week.
Metservice meteorologist April Clark said there was a weakening front heading up the South Island which may bring showers and cooler temperatures today, but by the time it reaches the North Island it will have lost its bite.
Those in the central and upper North Island can expect fine weather today.
"As the front starts to move further up, it sort of weakens as it gets over central New Zealand."
And the fine weather should stick around for much of the country through the rest of the week.
