About Us

Rainbow Hub Waikato is a non-profit organisation that began as “Waikato Queer Youth” in 2005. We started as a small group of people passionate about supporting young people to have a community that affirms their identities.

In May 2021 we restructured our organisation to recognise and grow the support we provide for rainbow folks of all ages and Rainbow Hub Waikato was created to reflect our communities. Today we support people across the Waikato and are in an exciting period of growth as we establish and collaborate on new projects and services.

Enabled by a passionate group of employees, volunteers and community members, Rainbow Hub Waikato is focused on offering hope to people of all ages. We strive to empower spaces for people to celebrate who they are, through positive, identity-affirming community building, fun and friendships.

Our Mission and Vision:

– Our Mission:

To foster safe and accepting communities for people of diverse gender and sexuality and their whaanau in the Waikato.

– Our Vision:

A community that embraces, celebrates, and supports diversity and identity, where all people thrive and feel empowered to be themselves.

Our Guiding Principles:

1: Whanaungatanga: Building connections and community

    • We encourage the development of relationships through shared experience, connection, and working together to provide people with a sense of belonging and community.

2: Manaakitanga: Working together with respect and integrity

    • The unity/mahitahi of our community and the sharing of values that relate us all. We show respect, generosity, and care for our community through actions that uphold our values.

3: Wairuatanga: Prioritising wellbeing and sense of self

    • We support people to foster and develop their sense of self and wellbeing. We encourage community to enrich their wellbeing through celebrating their identity.

4: Kotahitanga: Working together in unity

    • We encourage our community to express individual autonomy as well as collective goals. We create a community that seeks to empower itself and support others.

Ngaa Pou – Our Values:

1: Safety| Marutau

We strive to create safe spaces where all people feel safe to be themselves and explore who they are and where they are at in their journey.

2: Community | Hapori

We aim to connect people into a community that is rich with diversity, celebrates inclusivity, and builds authentic and healthy relationships.

3: Support | Tautoko

We endeavour to provide support where people can thrive through strong self-identity and connect into services to empower their wellbeing.

4: Education | Ako

We persevere to educate the communities around us to truly embrace all rainbow identities and demonstrate advocacy and allyship.

Our Funders and Sponsors:

A massive thank you to our past and present funders and sponsors. This includes but is not limited to: Community Organisation Grants Scheme Kirikiriroa Hamilton, Community Organisation Grants Scheme Waikato West, Community Organisation Grants Scheme Waikato South, Community Organisation Grants Scheme Hauraki, DV Bryant Trust, Frozen Funds Charitable Trust, Hamilton City Council, Jumble Around, Len Reynolds Trust, Lottery Grants Board, Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Youth Development, Te Aka Whai Ora Māori Health Authority, Sargood Bequest, SkyCity Hamilton Community Trust, Tindall Foundation, and Trust Waikato.