A man has tearfully recounted how he and his partner were the victims of a homophobic attack following the Wellington Pride Parade this morning, with a police officer refusing to escort them to safety upsetting him more than anything.

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After celebrating diversity in the capital, Joe Perrone says he and his partner were grabbing something to eat at a takeaway shop when their night turned ugly.

He says the incident happened around 4.00am and there were five or six people attacking them, mostly women.

"They thought he (Mr Perrone's partner) pushed in line when I said can you leave my boyfriend alone, more people jumped in that’s when they said 'You f-----, you homo, is that your boyfriend?'"

"A girl cut my arm, a guy grabbed me by the shoulder and punched me in the face."

"It's not an easy thing to see your partner go through that," Mr Perrone told 1 NEWS.

"My boyfriend is there absolutely defenceless."

Mr Perrone says police broke it up, but he's most upset about what happened next.

“I was grasping and holding onto policewoman’s arm begging her to walk us down the street because there were crowds of people still attacking us and she looked me in the eye and said 'I'm not going to do that.'”

Mr Perrone's partner lives less than 400 metres away from the takeaway shop, and he says some people followed them onto the street, still shouting homophobic slurs.

Police said in a statement there were a number of disorder incidents in the city overnight but say they won't know more information until the officers who were on shift overnight are back at work.

"We have a culture at the RNZPC which is extremely inclusive and the recruits are presented with scenarios and role-plays that represent people in the LGBTQI community.

"Officers receive training in working with members of the rainbow community as part of Tactical Communications training.



"Police do not categorise offences by the gender identity or sexual orientation of those involved, however no one should feel discriminated against in this way," a police spokesperson said this evening.

The incident comes after divisions in the rainbow community over the involvement of organisations like the military and police.

Several rainbow groups excluded themselves this year and so did all of New Zealand's major banks as a result.

InsideOUT charity Managing Director Tabby Besley says the incident calls into question whether police should be involved in pride parade.

“Is it appropriate for them to be marching as police when things like this are happening and our communities are feeling unsafe and being mistreated?”

Being the victim of a homophobic attack isn't new for Mr Perrone. Three years ago his nose was broken in another attack and he says police didn't follow it up because of a lack of evidence.

He hasn't reported this latest incident to police yet and says he forgives his attackers, but he'd like to meet with the officers involved and get answers.

“I just want to know why she wouldn't escort me,” he said.

He says he wants to see changes in the way police treat members of the queer community.

“Our queer brothers and sisters and all others, they need protecting, because they’re not being protected.”

Minister of Finance Grant Robertson was part of Wellington’s Pride Parade last night, and said while he doesn’t know the details of the case, the alleged incident is “really disappointing”.

“That shouldn't be happening in New Zealand today and as a community we've got to come together and ensure everyone feels safe.”

When asked if police should continue to be involved in New Zealand pride parades, Mr Robertson said everyone needs to be represented in pride events and that there had otherwise been a “great atmosphere” at the parade.

“I think its hugely important we've got opportunities for all members of our rainbow community to be able to come together, celebrate who they are and feel like part of our community.”

Steven Mawhinney who owns Wellington’s Ivy Bar said the incident is disturbing and highlights the need for pride events in New Zealand.

“The handling of this incident may confirm the position of those who believe the New Zealand Police should not have a uniformed presence at Pride events. We want to see the same values they marched for in the Parade last night reflected in the practice of the officers on the ground.”

He’s also advocating for more training for police following the incident.

“We are aware that the New Zealand Police cut their sexual orientation and gender identity training in 2016 and have not reintroduced the programme since, despite subsequent requests from advocate groups.”

People 1 NEWS spoke to at the Pride Parade on Saturday night were divided about the involvement of organisations like the police.

One of Wellington International Pride Parade’s organisers, Heather Henare said it was important for police to be involved in the parade.

“We welcome the conversation, we welcome inclusivity. The NZ Defence Force and Police are part of that. We are hopeful to get some more communication as year goes on for next parade”

“New Zealand Police need to be part of our present, they’ve been a part of our past. It hasn't always been good but we’re working really hard to improve that.”