Last night's Candlelight Memorial services, held across New Zealand, were well attended, many braving the rain and wind to remember those who have died of AIDS and to recommit to fighting the spread of HIV.

In Auckland, where around 80 people attended the service at St Matthew's-in-the-city, Mayor Dick Hubbard was well received as he delivered a speech, wearing his ‘favourite' rainbow tie to illustrate his support. The Mayor and his wife stayed behind to join in fellowship with the LGBT community while enjoying soup and bread provided by the Auckland Community Church.

Damien Moore of the Burnett Centre responded on behalf of HIV positive men and Jane Brunning spoke on behalf of Positive Women. Members of Rainbow Youth read out the messages of support from the Prime Minister, the Governor General, and the Leader of the Opposition.

Prime Minister Helen Clark paid tribute to the work of the New Zealand AIDS Foundation in educating and informing New Zealanders about HIV and AIDS, and stressed the significance of the HIV/AIDS problem here in New Zealand.

“It is critical that we do not become complacent here at home in New Zealand,” the Prime Minister said. “The number of people diagnosed with HIV hit a record high in 2005. This is a very worrying trend that we cannot ignore."

The Leader of the Opposition, Don Brash, stressed the global nature of the problem. “We should also remember the problems of HIV and AIDS in the wider community, especially in developing countries where many children are affected and the majority of people affected do not have access to medical treatments,” he said.

Governor General, Dame Silvia Cartwright, patron of the New Zealand AIDS Foundation, stressed that the 17 % increase in new HIV infections in New Zealand in 2005 “is an avoidable tragedy not just for those New Zealanders who contracted the virus, but for their families and friends too.” As the rain fell, locals inscribed the names of victims on the concrete in a moving tribute.

In Christchurch, organisers described the event as “a beautiful moving ceremony, where we recognised 20 years of AIDS activism in Canterbury.” The Candlelight Memorial service rounded off Christchurch's 2nd annual Pride Week. Christchurch Mayor Gary Moore and local gay MP Tim Barnett attended the service.

“It was a very fitting way to end Pride Week, for as much as Pride Week was about celebrating who we are, it is also about remembering where we have come from and those who lead the fight early on and who have now passed,” said Pride Week organiser Brent Mitchell.

In Dunedin, MP David Benson-Pope joined around 80 others in releasing balloons on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral, as a tribute to the victims of AIDS.

The Wellington service was particularly well attended, and Deputy Mayor Alick Shaw stressed the need for people to take responsibility for themselves and always wear condoms, including men in relationships, many of whom are unaware of their partner's HIV status.

The Wellington City Council donated a kauri tree as a ‘Tree of Remembrance' which will be planted in Spring as a fitting and living memorial to those who have died from AIDS. New Zealand's first out lesbian MP, Maryann Street delivered the Prime Minister's address on her behalf and local entertainer Polyfilla read the Governor General's message. Local AIDS campaigners were particularly pleased that a large number of Wellington's African community also attended the service.

The New Zealand AIDS Foundation has expressed their thanks to all those involved, and in particular for the emphasis placed on the safe sex message at time when rates of HIV infection in New Zealand are at the highest they have ever been.

“We're humbled by the recognition given to the work of NZAF in the Candlelight messages, but we're not in this alone,” said Acting Executive Director Te Herekiekie Herewini. Herewini paid particular tribute to groups such as Body Positive, Positive Women, Poz Plus, the CART team, Herne Bay House, the New Zealand Prostitutes' Collective and Sexual Health Services.

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