Frequently Asked Questions
We know the lineup’s not out yet and we get that might make it harder to commit.
Kōwhai Grove has never been about big names. It’s about the people, the place, the sound, and the feeling.
You can count on a solid local lineup with artists we trust, and a few surprises too. It’s a shared effort between us, the crews, and the wider community.
If you’re already planning to come, grabbing your ticket early really helps us make it all happen.
It’s a simple, welcoming weekend. Just bring some mates, something to camp with, and an open mind.
Jan 16 to 18 2026 · Gunns Bush, Waimate
Tickets via Flicket NOW.
Kōwhai Grove isn’t just another event.
It’s built on whānau, friendship, and legacy.
The festival was founded by someone whose vision lives on through the community that now gathers at a place special to him.
That connection makes this space personal, meaningful, and very sentimental.
Gunns Bush provides an immersive escape, where music, nature, and community merge. It’s not about massive crowds.
It’s about meaningful experiences in an intimate, carefully curated setting.
Gates
Gates will be closed at 10pm on Friday for entry. The festival will end at 12pm Sunday and we ask that everyone has packed up and left by 3pm.
As this is an 18+ event, we will be checking IDs and matching names to tickets
Health and Safety
Kōwhai Grove is a positive and inclusive space which has a zero-tolerance policy for any kind of violence or hatred towards anyone. We want to create a space where people can feel comfortable no matter their identity, background, race or anything else! There will be staff roaming around in hi-vis 24/7 so please let them know if you see or hear something that doesn’t seem ok!
There is Zero Tolerance for:
Transphobia
Physical or verbal violence
Racism
Sexism
Homophobia
Camping
You will be able to camp onsite at Kōwhai Grove. We have plenty of space, however some of the grass/ground is rocky/uneven. For this reason but in order to ensure we can get everyone a good comfy night’s sleep, if you’re not sleeping in your vehicle please park in the designated parking area. You will have full access to this area and your vehicle throughout the festival.
Alcohol
This is an alcohol free event. We will not be selling alcohol on site. This framework is in place to ensure that everyone can have a safe and comfortable time at the event.
Medical
We will have professional medical staff onsite 24 hours a day to ensure that we’re all partying in the safest space possible! If you see the medical team, be sure to give them a thank you as they’re doing us a huge solid by being with us for the weekend!
Fire Safety
Kōwhai Grove is hosted in an area which has seen significant damage from wildfires over recent years. As such, we will be enforcing a total fire ban at the festival, including gas cookers, BBQs and anything else which produces an open flame. We want Kōwhai Grove to become a mainstay event in the area and as such, we must all respect the wishes and concerns of both landowners and local authorities. The camping area will be patrolled at all times to ensure that these rules are being followed!
Smoking
Smoking is permitted in most areas but please be extremely conscious of where you flick ash, and please do not drop butts on the ground – there will be ashtrays around the festival site. We will be monitoring the fire danger over the course of the event and may need to enforce a smoking ban or only allow smoking inside designated areas. We will be following the direction and decisions of the fire department and landowners at all times!
Food & Water
We have multiple food vendors on site, providing a variety of delicious options including vegan, gluten free, and a dairy free milk option for your coffees.
You’re also welcome to bring food and drink into the festival, but please be conscious of the fire ban and of any packaging as this will all have to be taken home with you. In a similar vein, please do not bring any glass including bottles or containers as this presents a safety risk to yourselves and to the land we’re using.
Free water will be available throughout the festival.
Rubbish
You will be given rubbish bags at the gate and all rubbish will need to be taken away with you on Sunday. This policy is in place to encourage everyone to be conscious of what they bring to the festival and try to reduce waste wherever possible. There will be staff patrolling the camping area to ensure that we all keep our camp clean and tidy. This is a team effort from everyone so if you see rubbish floating around, pick it up! We’re extremely lucky to have been granted access to this native land and we must protect it at all costs.
Pets & Animals
As Kōwhai Grove is hosted on private property and surrounded by farmland and animals, we must enforce a no pets/animals policy. This is at the direction of landowners and in addition, their delicate ears are not suited to the soundsystem or general volume of a festival. Please leave them tucked up at home!