Splore Music & Arts Festival Auckland Region (Tapapakanga Regional Park)
Splore is a long-running music and arts festival held annually in Auckland, New Zealand. The event takes place over three days at Tāpapakanga Regional Park, located about an hour south of Auckland City. Established in 1998, Splore has evolved into a boutique festival featuring a diverse lineup of musical performances, visual arts installations, and interactive experiences.
The festival is set in a picturesque coastal location, with stages and activities spread across the park’s beaches and forested areas. Splore emphasizes sustainability and community, encouraging attendees to embrace creative costumes and participate fully in the immersive atmosphere.
The event showcases both local and international artists across multiple genres, including live bands, DJs, spoken word, and performance art
Key Takeaways
- Splore Music & Arts Festival celebrates arts and culture with a ‘FEASTY’ theme, featuring a diverse music lineup and arts activities in Tapapakanga Regional Park.
- The festival takes place in a scenic coastal location with access to beaches, nature walks, and camping facilities, emphasizing sustainability and eco-friendly practices.
- The event acknowledges and honours the cultural heritage of Ngāti Paoa and Ngaati Whanaunga, promoting aroha, kindness, and mindfulness towards the sacred land.
- The festival showcases emerging talent in music and arts, with a curated lineup of rising stars and innovative acts, and offers a platform for new artists to showcase their work.
- Splore promotes a welcoming and inclusive environment, fostering a sense of community, connection, and self-expression among its diverse crowd of festival-goers.
Splore Music & Arts Festival Auckland At A Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Festival Name | Splore Music & Arts Festival |
| Location | Tapapakanga Regional Park, Auckland Region, New Zealand |
| Date | Typically held annually in February |
| Theme | ‘FEASTY’ – celebrating arts, culture, and self-expression |
| Key Performers | – Sampha – Norman Jay MBE – Opiuo – The Pharcyde – Greentea Peng – Strawpeople |
| Emerging Talent | – Hemi Hemingway – Skram – ORIKoL – Benny Salvador – DIMPRI – Rose Alice – Jamie Newman |
| Main Attractions | – Diverse music lineup featuring local and international acts – Interactive art installations – Workshops, forums, and performances – Kids Zone – Wellness Zone |
| Location Highlights | – Scenic coastal setting with beaches and nature walks – Camping facilities – Stunning views and natural beauty |
| Cultural Acknowledgment | – Honors the cultural heritage of Ngāti Paoa and Ngaati Whanaunga – Promotes aroha, kindness, and mindfulness towards the land |
| Sustainability Efforts | – Powered by renewable energy – Waste reduction and recycling programs – Environmental impact assessments – Commitment to eco-friendly practices |
| Community Spirit | – Welcoming and inclusive environment – Focus on fostering a sense of community and connection – Emphasis on self-expression and diversity |
| FAQs | – Age: Kids 12 and under free, teens 13-17 need youth tickets – Alcohol: Responsible drinking allowed in designated areas – Attendance: Approx. 10,000 attendees |
| Immersive Art | – Interactive art installations – Large-scale sculptures – Interactive light displays – Designed to engage senses and encourage mindfulness |
| Festival Programme Highlights | – Headliner performances – Dynamic visual arts – Workshops and forums – Greatest dress-up party – Kids Zone activities |
| Transportation | – 70 km southeast of Auckland city – Well-sealed but winding roads – Recommended to drive carefully |
| Environmental Responsibility | – Emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendliness – Programs to minimize environmental impact – Festival as a model for sustainable event management |
| Unique Features | – Focus on emerging talent and innovative acts – Strong emphasis on cultural respect and environmental stewardship – A multi-faceted experience blending music, art, and nature |
| Overall Experience | – A vibrant celebration of arts, culture, and sustainability – Encourages respect for indigenous heritage and the environment – A mix of music, art, community spirit, and natural beauty |
| Conclusion | Splore Music & Arts Festival offers a rich, immersive experience in a picturesque setting, combining music, art, and environmental stewardship while fostering a sense of community and respect for cultural heritage and the environment. Enjoy responsibly! |
Festival Programme Highlights
As you explore the festival programme, you’ll uncover a diverse music lineup that’s set to satisfy your cravings, featuring headliner Sampha, Norman Jay MBE, Opiuo, and many more. This eclectic mix of international and local acts will get you moving, with The Pharcyde, Greentea Peng, and Strawpeople among the notable performers.
But Splore’s festival programme goes beyond just music. You’ll also discover dynamic visual arts, workshops, forums, and performances that’ll stimulate your senses and spark your creativity. The ‘FEASTY’ theme ties everything together, celebrating arts and culture in a vibrant, immersive environment.
Exploring Tapapakanga Regional Park
You’ll find Tapapakanga Regional Park, the stunning beachside setting for Splore Music & Arts Festival, 70 km southeast of Auckland city.
- As you make your way to the festival, you’ll notice the well-sealed but winding roads, so be sure to drive carefully.
- The park’s picturesque location provides an ideal backdrop for the eclectic lineup of music and arts performances.
- As you engage yourself in the festival’s vibrant atmosphere, you’ll be surrounded by the natural beauty of Tapapakanga Regional Park.
- The park’s setting embracing nature and community values makes it an ideal venue for a music and arts festival like Splore.
- You’ll have the opportunity to explore the park’s stunning beaches and scenic views while enjoying the festival’s diverse range of performances.
Honouring the Land and Culture
By holding the festival on sacred land, Splore acknowledges the rich cultural heritage of Ngāti Paoa and Ngaati Whanaunga, the mana whenua of Tāpapakanga. As you join our mindful tribe, you’re not just attending an entertainment extravaganza – you’re also a kaitiaki, or caregiver, of the land.
Splore encourages you to respect Papatūānuku as the earth’s mother, promoting aroha, kindness, and respect towards the land and its indigenous cultural heritage.
Sustainability Efforts Unfold
You’re entering a festival space where eco-friendliness takes centre stage, with Splore’s commitment to sustainability unfolding through a range of environmentally conscious initiatives. As you dance the night away with your tribe, you can feel good knowing that the party is powered by renewable energy.
The festival’s waste reduction and recycling programs are also in full swing, minimizing the environmental impact of the celebration. Splore’s dedication to sustainability is more than just a token effort – it’s a core value that’s woven into the fabric of the festival.
Environmental impact assessments are conducted to monitor and improve sustainability practices, ensuring that the festival leaves a minimal footprint on the stunning Tapapakanga Regional Park. By incorporating eco-friendly practices into every aspect of the festival, Splore sets a high standard for sustainable event management.
Showcasing Emerging Talent
As you explore the Splore Music & Arts Festival, you’ll notice a deliberate focus on showcasing emerging talent. This commitment to new artists and performers means you’ll have the chance to discover fresh voices and innovative styles that might just become your new favourites.
New Names in Music
Among the most exciting aspects of Splore Festival is its commitment to showcasing emerging talent, giving festival-goers a chance to discover new names in music who are redefining the industry’s landscape.
- As you wander through the festival grounds, you’ll stumble upon hidden gems like Hemi Hemingway and Skram, two Auckland-based acts that are making waves in the music scene.
- Local talents ORIKoL, Benny Salvador, and DIMPRI bring their unique sounds to the stage, while festival debutants Rose Alice and Jamie Newman add to the diverse range of performers.
- The lineup is carefully curated to include rising stars and one-of-a-kind acts, ensuring a vibrant and dynamic music program that’ll keep you engaged throughout the weekend.
- And when you need a break from the music, don’t forget to explore the greatest dress-up party or let the kids loose in the dedicated kids zone.
Hidden Gems Uncovered
Splore Festival’s commitment to showcasing emerging talent has led to the discovery of hidden gems, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by innovative artists who are redefining their respective genres. As you wander through the festival grounds, you’ll stumble upon fresh faces and exciting new acts that are sure to leave a lasting impression. Join the celebration of emerging talent and embrace the theme of discovery, where the next big thing might just be hiding in plain sight.
The festival provides a platform for up-and-coming talents to showcase their skills, and you get to be a part of their journey to stardom. From musicians to visual artists, performers, and more, Splore is the perfect place to discover new and exciting acts.
Immersive Art Installations
Wandering through the festival grounds, you’ll stumble upon a diverse array of immersive art installations. These interactive art pieces are thoughtfully designed to engage your senses, encouraging you to be mindful of your surroundings. As you explore the installations, you’ll discover unique expressions of creativity, from large-scale sculptures to interactive light displays. Each piece is carefully crafted to transport you to a new dimension, sparking imagination and inspiration.
The immersive art installations contribute notably to the festival’s vibrant atmosphere, adding an extra layer of depth to the overall experience. You’ll find yourself drawn to the intricate details, colours, and textures, inviting you to pause and appreciate the artistic vision.
Community Spirit and Vibe
As you explore the festival grounds, you’ll find that the atmosphere is infused with a strong sense of community spirit and connection among attendees. Splore Festival fosters an environment where you can join a mindful tribe of party-goers who share a passion for music, arts, and self-expression. The vibe is all about inclusivity, kindness, and respect for all participants, encouraging you to celebrate diversity and embrace a shared love for the festival’s offerings.
The festival atmosphere is designed to facilitate interaction, engagement, and relationship-building among like-minded individuals. You’ll find yourself surrounded by people from all walks of life, united by their desire to have a great time. The community spirit at Splore creates a welcoming and vibrant environment where you can feel comfortable being yourself.
10 Interesting Facts About The Splore Music & Arts Festival Auckland Region
- 🎭 Known as New Zealand’s greatest dress-up party, with an annual theme inspiring creative costumes
- 🏖️ Set in the stunning Tapapakanga Regional Park, allowing festival-goers to dance while swimming in the ocean
- 🌿 Committed to sustainability with a “leave no trace” policy and carbon-zero status
- 👪 Multi-generational event welcoming families, with dedicated areas and activities for children
- 🎵 Features an eclectic music lineup spanning genres like soul, hip-hop, and electronica
- 🏞️ Held on ancestral Māori land, with a powhiri (welcome ceremony) opening the festival each year
- 🎪 Showcases various art forms including visual art, performance art, and a Saturday night cabaret
- 🧘 Offers wellness activities such as yoga classes and healing modalities in the Wendy’s Wellness zone
- 🌍 Inspired by international festivals like Burning Man and Goa trance parties
- 🎉 Celebrating over 20 years of “carousing and frolicking” since its inception in 1998
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Playing at Splore 2024?
You’re wondering who’s playing at Splore 2024, and honestly, the lineup rumours were all about headliner predictions. Well, let’s cut to the chase – Sampha’s confirmed with his full live band, alongside Norman Jay MBE, Opiuo, and a diverse range of local and international acts.
Is Splore Alcohol-Free?
While sobriety benefits are evident, Festival vibes here allow responsible drinking in designated areas, promoting a balanced experience where you can enjoy a drink without compromising the fun.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Go to Splore?
Typically, age restrictions vary, but generally, festivals allow kids with parental guidance. At Splore, kids 12 and under are free, while teens 13-17 need youth tickets.
How Many People Go to Splore in NZ?
The festival capacity is capped, and attendance records show around 10,000 attendees flock to the event each year, making it an intimate and vibrant experience.
Conclusion
Splore Music & Arts Festival offers a unique blend of music, art, and nature in the picturesque Tapapakanga Regional Park. With a diverse lineup featuring both established and emerging artists, immersive art installations, and a strong focus on sustainability and cultural respect, the festival provides a multifaceted experience.
While celebrating creativity and community, Splore also faces the ongoing challenge of balancing entertainment with environmental stewardship and cultural sensitivity. As you plan your festival experience, consider both the vibrant atmosphere and the responsibility that comes with being part of this event.
