Manioro Excellence Awards & Gala Dinner

Get ready to dress up and step into an evening of celebration, connection, and recognition as we honour some amazing Rainbow+ trailblazers in our community.

The Manioro Excellence Awards & Gala Night celebrates Rainbow+ excellence in Hawke’s Bay, recognising local trailblazers whose impact is grounded in values such as Tautua (service), Manaakitanga (allyship), wellbeing, and rangatahi aspiration. This inaugural awards ceremony shines a light on those leading with courage, care, and vision — setting the foundation for future recognition across Aotearoa.

Guests can expect:

- A three-course meal with Entree served on arrival
- A powerful awards ceremony celebrating local Rainbow+ excellence
- Live performances throughout the evening
- Hosting by the ICONIC Pasifika Rainbow+ Queen of Drag - the one and only Buckwheat Drag Diva
- A formal atmosphere, with awards for Best Dressed!
- Headliner act, all-queer wāhine band White Chapel Jak entertaing us, so get ready to dance and move!

This is a formal occasion open to all — an opportunity to come together in honour of excellence, uplift our people, and celebrate the stories, leadership, and impact within our Rainbow+ communities.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Manioro is delivered by Nevertheless Trust. Nevertheless is a Māori, Pasifika & Rainbow+ Mental Health charity based in Hawkes Bay. Our vision is to empower people to be free to be heard, free to be seen and free to be their authentic selves. Our mission is - MANIORO: to disrupt toxic narratives and stereotypes surrounding our communities through Education, Storytelling and Creative Arts. We disrupt shame with love and stigma with connection. You can learn more about what we do through our website www.neverthelessnz.com