Rhythm and Vines announces Gisborne exit, leaving $4m gap in local economy

Many people have been left saddened after the announcement that Rhythm and Vines will leave Gisborne after 24 years.

The annual event has been held at Waiohika Estate since 2003, attracting tens of thousands of festival-goers to the region over the holiday period.

People on social media were quick to react to the announcement, with some lamenting the loss of the economic boost the festival brought to Gisborne.

“Oh no this is sad, I know a lot of people will be glad but this brings revenue that’s needed here,” one local said. “I love seeing the young ones coming here.”

“The only [time] of year Gisborne makes money, damn it’s going to be Poverty Bay,” another wrote.

Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz told NZME she was “saddened” to hear 2026 would be Rhythm and Vines’ final year is Gisborne.

“We all have our R&V stories,” she said. “Everyone will have their stories and their memories. But 24 years is a good stint.”

She said she expected locals would be sad to see it go because “everyone enjoyed the vibrancy, and the fun, and the memories, and the friendships and bringing young people to town”.

The four-day event contributes about $4 million to the local economy but Stoltz said she was confident the region would find another event to fill the gap.

“We know that our region knows how to put their best foot forward to host guests,” she said.

“So now it’s an opportunity for us to possibly find something else to fill that spot.”

Rhythm and Vines chief executive Kieran Spillane told Newstalk ZB the move was prompted by the festival’s need to evolve.

“After 25 amazing and interesting years in Gisborne, it was time for a hard decision.”

He said organisers undertake yearly reviews to assess the event’s ongoing relevance and viability.

“Over the last year or so, these reviews have certainly been pointing us towards a location that will help us grow and help us be in business.”

While acknowledging the community’s disappointment, Spillane said organisers wanted to give as much notice as possible to support a smooth transition.

“We know how this affects people who have been part of R&V for many, many years and we don’t take that lightly.”

While many were concerned about the gap the festival would leave, others were more than happy to see the festival take its final bow in Tairāwhiti.

“It’ll be nice to enjoy our town over new years without all the clowns here,” one person wrote.

“Our town will be a bit cleaner because most of them have no respect and empty all their rubbish onto the side of the road,” wrote another.

Over the years, the festival has hosted international acts including Justice, Moby, Calvin Harris and Playboi Carti, alongside Kiwi favourites Fat Freddy’s Drop, Six60 and the Black Seeds.

Rhythm and Vines is the latest long-running music festival to relocate amid mounting pressure on the live events sector.

Earlier this year, Wellington staple Homegrown announced it would shift to Hamilton after nearly two decades on the capital’s waterfront.