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October 7, 2025
Meet Luke Bird: The BIRDMAN with Wings & Flair
Luke Bird (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua, Te Uriroroi) is one of Aotearoa’s brightest and boldest entertainers — opera-trained, stage-savvy, and heart-wide-open. Born and raised in Whangārei, Luke lives up to his name: a soaring tenor, a dramatic actor, a sparkling MC, and an unapologetically fabulous human who brings the house down wherever he lands.
From playing Widow Twankey in Aladdin, to sharing the stage with opera greats, to leading the comedy troupe The Durty Gurls, Luke’s career is as diverse as it is dazzling. He has hosted Lucky Dip on Māori Television, judged on The Stage, and is one of the most in-demand MCs across Aotearoa (and now across the ditch in Australia).
In 2023 he was a finalist for 'Television Personality of the Year' at the NZTV Awards. In 2024 he and co-host launched 'Kōrero' the podcast with NZME and Iheart Radio and this year won 'Best Te Reo Māori Podcast' at the 'NZ Radio and Podcast Awards 2025' He is also now a co-host on the hit Sunday morning Breakfast show with FLAVA.
Tall (literally and figuratively), colourful, flamboyant, and deeply committed to storytelling with heart, mana and humour — Luke ensures every person in the room feels seen.
Luke starring in the "Luke Bird Experience"
Why being a Glambassador matters?
I am someone who’s been “the loud suit in the room,” I know what it means to struggle with acceptance and identity. Being seen, being proud, and being able to help others walk that path more easily is hugely important to me.
For Luke, being a Glambassador isn’t just a title — it’s a responsibility. It’s a chance to lift voices, make room at the table, and help our Rainbow community flourish.
He also believes in being part of the change, and he tells us;
Rainbow NZ Charitable Trust does serious mahi: scholarships, community grants, events, Pride, representation. It helps people who often don’t feel like they’re in the frame to realise they belong.
This gives me the platform to keep pushing for visibility — in mainstream media, in arts, in rural and urban centres alike. To be able to say: your queer identity + your culture + your quirks = powerful. No need to shrink.
Because community matters. Whether it’s through my shows, my MC‑work at Rainbow events, or mentoring younger queer performers, I knows that what I do reverberates.
Being part of something as grounded and impactful as Rainbow NZ Charitable Trust enables me to channel that in service of more than just entertainment.
Loud. Proud. Heart-first. Luke Bird is soaring — and taking our community with him.
To connect with Luke, you can follow him on his socials. He will also be attending Glam & Give! and will be out in the community spreading the word about GiveOUT Day 2025.
