The Hokitika Wildfoods Festival gathers roughly 8,000 people at Cass Square each March to sample huhu grubs, mountain oysters, and other unusual West Coast fare. Founded in 1990 by local wine producer Claire Bryant to mark Hokitika's 125th anniversary, it has grown from thirty stalls into one of the South Island's most distinctive one-day events.
Hokitika's Wildfoods Festival began with one woman's particular taste for unusual ingredients.
What began as a small local gathering of thirty stalls and around 1,800 visitors in 1990 has grown into an event that temporarily swells Hokitika's population for a single Saturday each March, built around foods most New Zealanders would never otherwise try, huhu grubs, mountain oysters, locusts, and mealworms among them
The festival's Feral Fashion competition, judged in categories for children and adults, encourages attendees to build wearable art from local flora and fauna, turning the crowd itself into part of the display
It remains a distinctly local institution, run from Cass Square in a small West Coast town rather than scaled up into a touring or multi-city event
The festival is a local secular institution rather than one rooted in Maori or Pacific custom
though its ethos of foraged and native ingredients
and wild game
draws on West Coast bushcraft traditions that predate the festival itself
Dates TBA · Usually March
Hokitika Wildfoods Festival is easier when the venue, route and way back from Hokitika are chosen before the day starts.
Comfortable, weather-flexible clothing with a rain layer on hand given the West Coast's high rainfall; many attendees dress up for the Feral Fashion competition using natural materials such...
At Hokitika Wildfoods Festival, agree on a meeting point and plan food, water and the return route before crowds thicken.
For peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Hokitika.
Entry may be free while tastings, meals, or special tables are paid locally.
NZD
unknown
External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.
We may earn a small commission from trusted travel partners at no extra cost to you.
Hokitika Wildfoods Festival is listed for Past edition: 14 March 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.
The festival is listed in Hokitika, New Zealand. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.
One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.
Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.
Hokitika, West Coast, New Zealand
unknown
This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.
Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.
Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.
Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →
