'A new city. A new chapter': One Love festival moves to Auckland after hiatus

Popular reggae music festival One Love is returning in 2027, but for a single day and not in its usual home of Tauranga.

The festival will be held on January 30 at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe, on the outskirts of Auckland.

It comes a year after organisers cancelled the 2026 edition, citing “several challenging situations” including “a cost-of-living crisis” and a strain on traveller budgets, with more than 80% of the festival audience travelling for two days.

Organisers originally planned to hold a scaled-back version of the festival, however decided against it because it “wouldn’t be true to what One Love represents”.

Named the One Love: Fiji Forever Tribute, next year’s main event will include a 75-minute live set of singer George “Fiji” Veikoso’s greatest hits, in homage to the reggae legend and festival regular who died last year aged 55.

The singer, who died of undisclosed health complications, had performed in a wheelchair in recent years and died peacefully surrounded by his family.

The Brown Hill Band and an international all-star lineup, including Lapi Mariner, Junior Soqeta and Jsqze, will perform the tribute. Other performers in the day-long festival include Spawnbreezie, K’Nova, Drew Deezy, Three Houses Down and General Fiyah.

“Fiji was part of our One Love family from the very beginning, performing at every One Love Festival,” the festival posted in an announcement on social media.

“His music brought us together, and his legacy will live on forever.”

Island reggae legend George "Fiji" Veikoso (left) died last year.

The new festival setup will also include a dedicated Under-18 GA area alongside R18 and VIP areas, giving younger audience members the opportunity to take part in the festival.

“A new city. A new chapter. One massive celebration. For the first time ever, One Love Festival is coming to Auckland, and we’re bringing the music, energy and One Love spirit that has united our family for years!”

At the time of the cancellation, One Love previously ended its association with former owner Pato Alvarez, who was found guilty of the indecent assault and attempted unlawful sexual connection of a woman hired as a babysitter in 2023.

He was sentenced to 12 months’ home detention on November 10, 2023, and has since finished serving his sentence.

Organisers said Alvarez sold the music festival in 2022.

“As part of the sale, Pato had a number of obligations to complete under the contracted handover process. These were fully met and finalised. We want to reassure you all he is not involved with One Love festival in any capacity.”

Early Bird tickets go on sale November 4, with pre-registration for the event now open at onelovefestival.nz.