"The majority of the government fund went to large international artists and promoters." — John Minty, Splore Founder

Splore Festival Closes After 27 Years

The Splore music festival, held annually near Auckland, New Zealand, held its final event in February 2025 and has ceased operations. Founder John Minty reported that the 2024 event incurred a loss of approximately NZ$320,000 ($188,000), and ticket sales for the 2026 event were insufficient to continue.

Background

Splore began in 1998 as a small dance party on Karioitahi beach. It grew into a festival with roughly 8,000 attendees, serving as a platform for local artists such as Fat Freddy's Drop.

The festival's closure is part of a broader trend in New Zealand, where up to half of the 70 music festivals held in the summer of 2023-2024 were cancelled, shut down, or postponed, according to local music magazine Newzician.

Contributing Factors

• Economic conditions: Tough economic conditions and dwindling funding have put pressure on independent festivals.
• Rise of international promoters: Large multinational companies like Live Nation and Ticketek have a strong foothold, with greater buying power and resources.
• Government funding: The NZ$10 million Event Boost Fund was allocated to a mix of local and international events; Minty's application for NZ$240,000 was rejected.

Industry Concerns

"Multinational promoters are not interested in furthering local music."

Ben Howe, festival founder and co-owner of Flying Nun Records, expressed concern that the market presence of multinational promoters makes it difficult for local events to compete.

Notable Events & Context

• Laneway festival, partnered with Ticketek, attracted a record 35,000+ attendees in Auckland in 2026.
• Other festivals that have ended or paused include Womad, Bay Dreams, and Twisted Frequency.