What you need to know

Gates open at 7:30am daily

The gates will open each morning at 7:30am from 25 February to 1 March. We ask everyone to be seated before karakia at 8:15am. The first performance for each day will start at 8:30am.

Te Matatini is an auahikore / smokefree, alcohol and drug free event.

You must have a wristband to enter the festival. This can be done at the gate when you arrive with your e-ticket or ticket. To avoid the queue, we encourage you to get pre-wristbanded before you arrive.

Present your ticket at any of the locations below and you will receive your wristband. FYI: ticket sales available in Whanganui and Ngāmotu/New Plymouth pre-wristbanding locations.

• Hāwera - TSB Hub, 17 Cmberwell Road. Open on Saturday 22 February from 12:30pm to 3pm
• Urenui - Urenui Community Centre, 13 Takiroa Street, Urenui. Open on Sunday 23 February from 9am to 5pm.
• Whanganui - Sport Whanganui, 226 London Street, Whanganui. Open on Sunday 23 February from 9am to 5pm.
• Ngāmotu / New Plymouth - Centre City, 11 Gill Street, New Plymouth. Open on Sunday 23 February from 10am to 4pm and on Monday 24 February from 9am to 5pm.

No photos or video of stage performances

No video recordings or photographs of the stage performances are permitted without prior written authorisation from Te Matatini Enterprises.

• Copyright and Intellectual Property - Subject to the licences and copyright ownership of the participating kapa haka, all intellectual property rights of all performances including images, film and sound recordings are retained by Te Matatini Enterprises Ltd.
• Filming and Photography - Media photographers, video camera and sound operators cannot film, photograph or capture audio of onstage performances. Written authorisation is required from Te Matatini Enterprises Ltd prior to the festival. Photographers are permitted to take photographs of the event (except performances) but must not disrupt the official broadcast crews, prevent spectators from enjoying the event or capture stage performances in the background. Stallholders are permitted to film and photograph at their stall spaces. Due to health and safety protocols, media must not film in public thoroughfares and walkways. Drones are not permitted at the event.

Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga 2025 will be broadcast live on TVNZ 2 and live streamed on TVNZ+, with catch-up viewing available on TVNZ+.

Viewers can also watch live on Whakaata Māori and online at Māori+

To minimise distractions for performing teams, we ask that spectators seated at the front of the stage take their seats before each performance begins. There are no allocated seating areas due to the unique contour of the venue. All seating is general admission. There is also no allocated seating for kaumatua but there is a marquee where Pāhake ticket holders can sit, relax and enjoy a refreshment.

We ask you not to bring camp or similar sized chairs or bean bags. Instead, you can bring low sand/beach seats or cushions.

Take a moment to explore the marketplace nestled within scenic Pukekura / Bowl of Brooklands. This bustling area, with 140 stalls and mobile units, is where you can eat, drink, shop, relax while also accessing career advice, educational opportunities and health services. An outdoor zone with a large screen ensures you won't miss a moment of the live performances happening on stage.

The majority of stalls offer EFTPOS facilities. However, some stalls may only accept cash for purchases. There are no ATMs at the venue.