\u201cI have been involved with Splore at T\u0101papakanga for 20 years and I feel now is a time to move on. <\/p>\n
\u201cI am incredibly proud of all that the festival has achieved and the devoted crew and Splorers who have created such magic and community over that period.\u201d<\/p>\n
Minty said after 18 years of financial viability, the festival hit headwinds with costly Covid postponements and cancellations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe cost of living crisis led, for the first time, to low ticket sales for the 2024 event.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe took a rest last summer, hoping things would pick up for the 2026 event but so far that hasn\u2019t happened to the degree that we wanted.\u201d <\/p>\n
He said the hope for a lifeline from the Government\u2019s $70 million Event Boost Fund was not successful.<\/p>\n
The Splore 2026 line-up … the festival’s last. Photo \/ Splore<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite a comprehensive and what I thought was a very persuasive application.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo for all Splorers out there, let\u2019s make this 2026 event a beautiful, farewell celebration party on the beach,\u201d Minty said.<\/p>\n
Heading the three-day, all-ages festival is Norwegian electronic duo and childhood friends R\u00f6yksopp, playing their first New Zealand show in 14 years.<\/p>\n
The pair, nominated for two Grammy Awards since their 1998 debut, are booked in after a run of sold-out Australian shows and will perform a two-hour DJ set.<\/p>\n
Global artists also confirmed to play are Jamaican dancehall star Sister Nancy, UK trip-hop and downtempo DJ Nightmares on Wax, renowned MC General Levy, Melbourne rapper Miss Kaninna and Berlin\u2019s own techno DJ Franca.<\/p>\n
Splore Festival 2026 full line-up<\/p>\n
Where: T\u0101papakanga Regional Park<\/p>\n
When: February 20 – 22, 2026<\/p>\n
Who: R\u00f6yksopp (dj set), Sister Nancy, + Legal Shot, Nightmares on Wax, General Levy + Joe Airwa, Mind Enterprises, Parson James, Miss Kaninna, C.Frim, Illustrious Blacks, Beatles Dub Club, Franca, Tami Neilson, Coco Solid, Jess B, Christoph El Truento, Est\u00e8re, Dick Move, Romi Wrights, Te KuraHuia, Benny Salvador, Chiccoreli + Tali, DylanBiscuit b2b ajhoneysuckle, BBYFACEKILLA b2b Snakelegs, GoldTooth, Half Queen, ilish, Kaiviti, Marjorie Sinclair, NymphLoads, ORIKoL, Vercetti, WAEWAEXPRESS, Arcadia, Love Language, Hudge, Bobby Brazuka, Dastardly Bounder, DJ Banty, and Rose Alice.<\/p>\n
Tickets: iticket.co.nz<\/a><\/p>\n