02 · GALLERY
Five frames.
Splore runs every February on the Hauraki Gulf coast, 75 km east of Auckland, on Tāpapakanga Regional Park. 8,000 attendees camp under ancient pōhutukawa trees that fringe a perfect beach. The festival opens with a pōwhiri (Māori welcome ceremony) and te ao Māori is structurally programmed throughout, not decorative. Beach sauna, beach stage, bush stage, an art trail through the camping forest. The dawn karakia (prayer) on day three at the beach stage is the festival's emotional ground. The water is warm at midnight, the sky over the gulf is dark, the music is the most-curated boutique programme in the southern hemisphere.
The dawn karakia on day three at the beach stage is the festival's emotional ground. Set an alarm.
A festival built around respectful partnership with mana whenua. Full editorial weight.
Annual, three days mid-to-late February. Friday is the build day, Saturday is the headline programming, Sunday is the deeper closing. The Tāpapakanga summer is the comfortable listening season.
Annual three-day festival, mid-February. Gates open Friday morning, camping on site. Programme runs Friday afternoon through Sunday evening.
Drive from Auckland 90 minutes south-east via the SH1 and SH2 to Orere Point, then 5 km gravel road to Tāpapakanga. Festival shuttles run from Auckland CBD on opening day. Camping is on site.