Story perspectives

Splore Shuts Down Amid NZ Festival Crisis and Funding Bias

6/14/2026

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Summary

Story summary

John Minty announced Splore’s final event occurred in February 2026, ending the festival.
About half of New Zealand’s 70 festivals were cancelled, postponed or shut down in the 2023-2024 summer.
Multinational promoters Live Nation, Ticketek and Ticketmaster expanded, giving festivals like Laneway buying power that smaller events lack.
The NZ$10 million Event Boost Fund allocated most money to big international acts and rejected Splore’s $240,000 request, sparking criticism.

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Story summary

John Minty announced Splore’s final event occurred in February 2026, ending the festival.
About half of New Zealand’s 70 festivals were cancelled, postponed or shut down in the 2023-2024 summer.
Multinational promoters Live Nation, Ticketek and Ticketmaster expanded, giving festivals like Laneway buying power that smaller events lack.
The NZ$10 million Event Boost Fund allocated most money to big international acts and rejected Splore’s $240,000 request, sparking criticism.