Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has unveiled an action plan to eliminate the transmission of HIV and deaths from Aids in New Zealand by 2030.

Hipkins made the announcement today during his first visit to the Big Gay Out celebration of the rainbow community held annually in Auckland.

He also paid tribute to the late Georgina Beyer, the world’s first openly transgender member of Parliament and mayor, who died this week aged 65.

This year is the first time the celebration has been held since 2021, after last year it was cancelled due to Covid-19. This year it was postponed by a month due to flooding in Auckland.

Political leaders regularly attend the festival, where the rainbow community has the opportunity to press them on particular issues.

Ending HIV in the country had long been a goal of organisers of the festival, and last year the Government started consultation on a plan. The final version was published today.

The Government has also committed $18 million from last year’s Budget to the first steps in the plan.

“I’m really proud to be launching today the HIV action plan designed to eliminate transmission of HIV in New Zealand and also eliminate the stigma associated with HIV in New Zealand,” said Hipkins.

It was his first time at Big Gay Out, said Hipkins, adding he wished he’d come sooner.

“It is such a great opportunity for the community to come together to celebrate diversity, to celebrate people being who they are, to be comfortable in their own skin.”

On Beyer, Hipkins said he saw her work in action “standing up to prejudice”.

“Standing up for the rainbow community, and she will definitely be missed. She has made a lasting difference to New Zealand.”

Hipkins was asked about the rights of temporary migrants in Aotearoa to access sexual healthcare. He said the Government was aware of the issue and work was “under way” to address it.

National Party leader Christopher Luxon also attended the Auckland event for his first time in his role, and leaders of other political parties and MPs were also present.

Luxon said it was “fabulous” to be there and that his party fully supported the ending HIV action plan.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni and Finance Minister Grant Robertson with Labour Party members at the Big Gay Out in Auckland. Photo / Azaria Howell

Former prime minister Jacinda Ardern was a regular attendee, as were previous Prime Ministers and political leaders.

Ardern’s presence was particularly celebrated, especially after the 2020 Election when New Zealand voted in the most-rainbow Parliament in the world.

Last year the Government released a plan to eliminate the transmission of HIV in New Zealand by 2032 for consultation. The final plan has been unveiled today.

During a press conference, Hipkins was also questioned over the Government’s ongoing response to the devastation caused by cyclones this year, after today revealing this year’s Budget would be increased to accommodate additional spending.

Hipkins also faced questions over the Government’s approach to crime.

National Leader Christopher Luxon and Deputy Leader Nicola Willis at the Big Gay Out. Photo / Azaria Howell

Today, National Party police spokesman Mark Mitchell released figures showing retail crime had increased by 39 per cent in the past year.

There were 292 retail crime incidents every day in 2022, up from 140 per day in 2018.

Hipkins said there had been an escalation in such incidents over the past year but a lot of work recently had gone into preventative measures, including directly with retail operators and youth offenders themselves.

“I know the police have been really proactively targeting this area of crime. No one wants to see businesses experience the level of victimisation that they have in recent times.”

Hipkins was also pushed on his climate change record, after recently introducing policies such as the fuel tax subsidy that will increase the country’s greenhouse gas emissions at the same time as cyclones cause unprecedented devastation.

He said the emissions reduction goals had not changed and that these policies were targeted at assisting lowest-income New Zealanders.