'The heart and home of R&V': Festival confirms final Gisborne chapter

Rhythm and Vines has confirmed that this year’s festival will be the final edition held at Waiohika Estate in Gisborne, bringing its historic 24-year chapter in the region to a close.

The move will support the festival’s long-term future and continued evolution, with Rhythm and Vines relocating to a new, undisclosed location in 2027.

Plans are well underway for one final dance at Waiohika Estate this summer, with the first release of artists performing at Rhythm and Vines 2026 to be announced next Wednesday July 29, at 5:30pm.

“Gisborne has been the heart and home of Rhythm and Vines for nearly a quarter of a century,” said Rhythm and Vines Festival CEO Kieran Spillane.

“We are incredibly proud of what we have built alongside the community, and deeply grateful to everyone who has helped create 24 years of New Year’s magic at Waiohika Estate.”

First held in 2003, Rhythm and Vines has become a defining part of New Zealand’s summer festival calendar and a rite of passage for generations of Kiwis.

Over the past 24 years, hundreds of thousands of music lovers have travelled to Gisborne to welcome the new year, contributing to the region’s visitor economy and creating countless memories through music, friendship and shared celebration.

“We want to make sure we give Gisborne and Waiohika Estate the send-off it truly deserves - and we believe that this year’s line-up will deliver just that.” Spillane said.

While the 2026 festival will bring the Gisborne chapter to a close, Rhythm and Vines looks forward to welcoming future generations to its new location. Details of the festival’s future location will be announced in due course.

Spillane said the decision had not been an easy one but accessibility and Gisborne’s remote location had been part of it.

“We have to adapt to how the festival culture is changing by moving somewhere that’s more accessible and will allow us more capacity and the ability to scale up.”

Cost pressures such as increased artists fees were one of the many factors that contributed.

“The cost of putting on a festival has grown, artists’ fees have grown, so it certainly is a factor. To counteract those we sometimes need to sell a few more tickets.”

Rhythm and Vines announces final festival at Waioeka Estate in Gisborne.

Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz said she was “saddened” to hear that 2026 will be the last time that Gisborne will host R&V.

“I had heard some murmurings earlier in the year, but I met with Kieran Spillane and Kyle Bell, the organisers earlier today and I really appreciate that they flew to Gisborne to deliver the news face to face.

“We all have our R&V stories. I just dug up an old 2013 photo of Deon [husband] and myself at R&V. That was the year Kim Dotcom was still performing, so everyone will have their stories and their memories.

“24 years is a good stint, but I am sure people will be saddened because everyone enjoyed the vibrancy and the fun and the memories and the friendships and bringing young people to town.”

Stoltz was hopeful further opportunities would arise for events in the region.

“We know that our region [knows] how to put our best foot forward to host guests. We showed for 24 years how well we’ve done it so now it is an opportunity for us to possibly find something else to fill that spot.

“We know we’re a beautiful part of the country, we know that we have venues that are world-class and for us now there is an opportunity to see what else we can do in that space.”

A R&V commissioned economic impact survey in 2024 estimated the event boosted the local gross domestic product by $4.2m, up from $3.22m in 2018.

The survey also said visitor expenditure that year reached $5.2m, a 73% increase on their average spend.

Ticketing information

The first release of artists performing at R&V 2026 will be announced on Wednesday July 29 at 5:30pm.

One NZ customers will receive first access to secure tickets during an exclusive 24-hour presale beginning on Monday 3 August at 10:00am. Head to one.nz/rewards

R&V Legends who have signed up will receive access to the dedicated Legends presale beginning on Tuesday 4 August at 12:00pm. Returning customers who have signed up to Legends receive special discount offers. rhythmandvines.co.nz/legends

Ticket options available at launch include:

● 3 Day Festival Passes from $359

● 4-Day Camping + Festival Passes from $489

A full range of ticket prices including add-ons will be released shortly. Prices are subject to booking fees and availability. Customers will also be able to use Afterpay through Moshtix to pay for eligible ticket purchases in four interest-free payments, where available.

EVENT INFORMATION

Rhythm and Vines 2026 - Chapter 24: The Final Dance in Gisborne 28-31 December 2026 Waiohika Estate, Gisborne

KEY DATES

● Lineup Announcement: Wednesday 29 July, 5:30pm

● One NZ Presale: Monday 3 August, 10am

● R&V Legends Presale: Tuesday 4 Aug, 12pm