Splore signs off for good

The final weekend at Splore carried a sense of nostalgia mixed with its trademark high-energy celebration.

It was a bittersweet milestone as the very last event took place at Tāpapakanga Regional Park, which hosted about 8000 people over the weekend.

The organisers announced in late 2025 that this would be the final chapter in Splore's story, citing the rising costs and challenges inherent in producing independent festivals.

Bringing global artists to Auckland who may otherwise skip the New Zealand leg is a supreme effort considering the festival climate is in one of its most difficult phases. Pulling off something of this scale took the combined effort of a dedicated and tight team, led by organiser John Minty, who's been spearheading the event for the past 20 years.

Minty says he's felt moved by how the festival left its mark on generations of Kiwis, in several ways. He commented on the pride the team felt about their partnership with local iwi Ngati Paoa and Ngati Whanaunga.

Over the years, Splore set a benchmark for sustainability and has become a summer institution and space for authenticity, creativity and inclusivity.

That's been one of the defining factors of the festival – there is no one 'type' of person it attracts, and for me, coming from overseas, this is a massive drawcard. Many festivals target a narrow "youth" demographic, but Splore has been famously family-friendly – intergenerational even.

The theme for the closing weekend was "Beings"— interpreted in some weird, funny and witty ways.

This year’s line-up featured a mix of international and local talent, including Sister Nancy, Nightmares on Wax, General Levy, Illustrious Blacks and Francois K alongside a heavy Kiwi contingent featuring Tami Neilson, Romi Wrights and Coco Solid.

Christoph El Truento and his stellar band were a local wild card none of us saw coming. With Rubi Du and Mara TK on the vocals, the ensemble was live dub at its best.

Taking the stage on the shores of Tāpapakanga, the "Queen of Dancehall" Sister Nancy, proved exactly why she is a legend. At 65 years old, her energy dominated the stage with an effortless cool factor that had the crowd locked in.

Nightmares on Wax’s late night session was sophisticated, deep and funky, and served as a reminder of the global calibre of artists that Splore has consistently brought to our shores.

For Splore’s final edition, having an artist like Tami Nelson — who has built a life and career in New Zealand while conquering international stages —felt like a full-circle moment.

There were a lot of those this weekend.

It’s a place where several Kiwi couples have met and come back to get married under the same glades down the far end of the grounds. This year saw some of the last weddings at Splore.

And there were kids born from of Splore-origin romances everywhere. I think that’s a rare and wonderful thing - the building and making of community through music and authenticity.

The festival closed with an evening set by Nightmares on Wax and a moving ceremony and note of thanks from Minty acknowledging crew past and present.

Local iwi Ngati Paoa and Ngati Whanaunga did a karakia for the 20-year long relationship between the Splore team, the whenua and iwi, while acknowledging how the presence of Splore on the historic whenua of Tāpapakanga represented a genuine spirit of true treaty partnership.

For festival-goers it wasn’t just one long party; but the closing of a cultural institution that has in many ways defined Auckland summers for three decades. Haere rā, Splore.