Over the Rainbow

There’s no place like Pōneke.

Queer historian Will Hansen and legendary barman Malcolm Vaughan kōrero the capital’s vibrant LGBTQIA+ nightlife for Wellington Heritage Festival.


About Will

Will Hansen (he/him) is a transgender historian based in Pōneke. He is the recipient of a Judith Binney Trust Writing Award and is currently working on turning his PhD thesis – ‘Queer Activism in Aotearoa, 1961-2013’ into a book. Will is also a trustee of Kawe Mahara Queer Archives Aotearoa.


About Mal

Malcolm Vaughan is a Wellington gay icon. Before the Homosexual Law Reform Act of 1986, Mal worked at a series of bars and late-night haunts in the capital. More than just places to drink, venues like The Dominion, Bamboo Bar, Casper’s, The Dome (to name a few) provided a safe place in the capital for the city’s rainbow community to meet without prejudice. Today, Malcolm alongside husband, Scotty Kennedy ow and run the iconic Cuba Street establishment Scotty & Mal’s Cocktail and Lounge Bar.

Advocates for many LGBTQIA+ causes, they have supported many community initiatives over the years. In 2000 they co-founded the After Life Memorial Trust, now called the Chrissy Wītoko Memorial Trust, which originally provided financial support for AIDS patients of the rainbow community. The Trust continues to provide a wide range of support for the Wellington rainbow community.

You may also like the following events from Wellington Museum:

• This Thursday, 11th September, 08:00 am, Kotahitanga: Artist Series | Te KuraHuia in Wellington
• Next Thursday, 18th September, 08:00 am, Kotahitanga: Artist Series | Riki Gooch and Bennett Pomana in Wellington
• This month, 27th September, 02:00 am, Rainbow Tour in Wellington

Also check out other Parties in Wellington, Festivals in Wellington, Entertainment events in Wellington.