Last year, Ginger’s Lesbian Pop-Ups burst onto the NZ scene with their fun, inclusive and meaningful pop-up events for lesbians in NZ. Capsule chats to the founder, Lisa Rooney, about the big plans she has for 2025 and why community and celebration are so important to focus on.
“It’s funny to think that this idea, dreamed up at 2am in Singapore while I was wide awake with jet lag on my way back from my honeymoon, has turned into something so special,” says Lisa Rooney, events professional and founder of Ginger’s Lesbian Pop-Ups.
Ginger’s Lesbian Pop-Ups is exactly what is says on the tin: pop-up events held around Aotearoa for the Lesbian and Sapphic community. It was borne out of one of the most creative experiences one can have: noticing a gap in the market and then having a fervent brainstorm in the middle of the night.
‘The overall guiding principle is “This is a place for anyone who feels like it’s for them.”’
As part of her honeymoon, Lisa had been in London where the opening of a lesbian bar had led to crowds around the block. Back when she was going to university in Manchester, Lisa – a Derry girl by origin – was used to hosting lesbian events every month.
But over the years, gentrification and rising costs in the big cities has meant that lesbian-specific spaces have slowly dwindled away, even in heavily populated places like London. And if sprawling cities are feeling the pinch, you can only imagine how few spaces there are in wee NZ.
“There’s also this assumption now that everything is inclusive, so dedicated spaces aren’t ‘needed,’ but that couldn’t be further from the truth,” says Lisa.
Living in Mount Maunganui, Lisa says she’s seen firsthand how a lack of inclusivity can affect the rainbow community. “For years, Tauranga hasn’t had the best reputation in this regard. At one point, I was so frustrated that I asked my wife if we should move somewhere more welcoming. Her response stuck with me: ‘If we don’t stay and work to change things, it will always be this way.’”
At first, Lisa had a very simple goal for what Ginger’s would be: a simple pop-up bar where people could show up, relax, and enjoy food and drinks in a welcoming space. But the financial and logistical challenges of running that meant that she had to pivot – finding places across the country that were big enough to hold a good number of people, but intimate enough to give people the chance to speak and get to know each other.
Immediately, the events were a success. The first event, held in Mount Maunganui, sold out in 48 hours. Since then, the event concepts have grown. “It’s become a space that not only brings people together but also showcases queer talent, which we’re lucky to have so much of in New Zealand. Adding well-known names to host or perform has had a huge impact too, creating a real sense of value for everyone who attends. It’s about creating an experience that feels meaningful, inclusive, and special.”
Lisa is no stranger to the events world – she started her own events company two years ago and was named one of the top four emerging event professionals by the NZ Events Association last year. But the exploding momentum for Ginger’s surprised even her, she says. Events still sell out incredibly quickly and the 2025 line-up of Ginger’s events is only getting bigger.
‘It’s more important than ever to come together, strengthen connections, and stand by each other.’
There’s a Prom event taking place on Valentine’s Day in Tauranga which, as Lisa says, is a chance for people to ‘rewrite the narrative’ of their own high school dance experience.
“For many in the rainbow community, high school wasn’t filled with great memories, and prom or school social events were not the inclusive, joyful experience they should have been. This event is about doing things your way, dressing however you like, and creating new memories with a nostalgic twist.”
And then in Autumn, there’s Ginger’s Bush Camp (pun absolutely intended), which will be a camp set in the Bay of Plenty, with a wide range of outdoor activities, a hāngi dinner on the first night, a kaumatua from the local iwi, live music, BBQs, fire pits, and some incredible celebrity Camp Ranger guests.
“Loneliness can have a profound impact on mental health, and this event is all about bringing people together in a safe, welcoming environment where they can build meaningful connections,” Lisa says. “Spending time outdoors, engaging in shared activities, and feeling part of a community can be so transformative for mental well-being.”
Already there’s been a huge response – over 650 people have expressed interest in a 200-person event – and Lisa says that the support they’ve had from prominent members of the lesbian community has been invaluable for spreading the good word of Ginger’s.
“I can’t stress enough how much of a shining light Cassie Roma has been from the very beginning,” Lisa says. “I was already a huge fan of hers, and after hearing her as a guest on a podcast about career advice, I was inspired to leave my job and start my events company a few years prior. Her support and advocacy for Ginger’s have been incredible, and I am profoundly grateful for everything she’s done to champion us.”
There’s been a whole tribe of support from well-known wāhine, including Flavours of Plenty Festival Director Rae Baker, More FM Breakfast’s Lana Searle, the wonderful team behind Girls Get Off, and sports presenter Dani Fennessy. Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau and NZ Women in Sport Presenter Alice Soper have also shown their support.
“This has honestly taken me by surprise more than anything,” says Lisa of the support. “The advocacy and support from these incredible women have been invaluable in building both the Ginger’s brand and the wider community.”
But it’s at the events themselves where Lisa is shown, time and time again, how much Ginger’s is needed. “After the first event in Tauranga, I was overwhelmed with messages and feedback from people thanking us for creating such a fun, safe, and welcoming space. Fast forward through five events across the country, and we’ve heard countless stories from attendees, many shared through tears of gratitude at the end of the evenings.”
One attendee, who had recently moved to Christchurch from America, told that she had struggled for a year to find a place where she felt safe and like she belonged. She told us that our event was the first night she’d truly felt that since arriving.
The events are created for the lesbian and sapphic community, but Lisa says the overall guiding principle is “This is a place for anyone who feels like it’s for them.”
“It’s more important than ever to come together, strengthen connections, and stand by each other. We need to protect, uplift, and celebrate the community as a whole. There’s a saying, ‘The best revenge is living a happy life,’ and I truly believe that thriving together is how we continue to push forward.”
Photos supplied, photographer: River Dantzler