WOMAD New Zealand

View on map
MusicNew Plymouth
DatesDates TBA · Usually MarchCheck locally before booking
DurationAutumnEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsWOMAD's New Zealand edition descends from
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: NZD
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

WOMAD New Zealand in New Plymouth

WOMAD Aotearoa brings the global World of Music, Arts and Dance festival to the Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth's Pukekura Park each March, running since 2003. Cancelled for 2026 due to rising costs and shrinking regional sponsorship after oil and gas companies exited Taranaki, organisers describe the pause as a purposeful rest ahead of a planned 2027 return.

WOMAD, an acronym for World of Music, Arts and Dance, began in the United Kingdom in 1982, founded by musician Peter Gabriel as a festival built around the idea that music from different cultures could be programmed together on equal terms rather than segregated by genre or origin.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

WOMAD's New Zealand edition descends from the global festival network founded by Peter Gabriel in 1982, and has run in New Plymouth since 2003 under the Taranaki Arts Festival Trust, staged in a natural lakeside amphitheatre within Pukekura Park that is widely regarded as one of the most scenic settings on the world WOMAD circuit

02

The mystery stays covered

Its Taste the World programme pairs live cooking demonstrations with music and cultural storytelling in the park's Kunming Garden, tying food directly into the festival's cross-cultural format rather than treating it as a separate concession area

03

The city starts moving

Since 2003 the festival is estimated to have generated around 190 million New Zealand dollars in cumulative economic benefit for the Taranaki region, with the 2025 edition alone contributing more than 13 million dollars locally

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

As part of the global WOMAD network

Water and renewal

Living ritual

the festival's core tradition is cross-cultural exchange through music

The sacred route

Living ritual

and craft from around the world

The local code

Living ritual

presented within Taranaki's own regional identity and

Tradition 5

Living ritual

through Taste the World

Tradition 6

Living ritual

through direct storytelling from visiting cooks and musicians about their own culinary traditions

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually March

Getting around

For WOMAD New Zealand, plan transport around the exact New Plymouth venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Layered clothing suited to early-autumn Taranaki weather, comfortable footwear for a grass amphitheatre setting, and a light rain layer given the region's changeable coastal climate.

Safety

Keep phone power, water, and a clear meeting point sorted before the main crowd arrives.

Where to stay

For WOMAD New Zealand, stay near the part of New Plymouth you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.

Language/currency

NZD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map39.07 S, 174.08 EOpen in Google Maps

New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand

Nearest airportNPL — New Plymouth
TransportFor WOMAD New Zealand, plan transport around the exact New Plymouth venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor WOMAD New Zealand, stay near the part of New Plymouth you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to New Plymouth via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near New Plymouth, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for March.Compare faresFestival gearLayered clothing suited to early-autumn Taranaki weather, comfortable footwear for a grass amphitheatre setting, and a light rain layer given the region's changeable coastal climate.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for New Zealand and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is WOMAD New Zealand?

WOMAD New Zealand is listed for March · Autumn. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does WOMAD New Zealand take place?

The festival is listed in New Plymouth, New Zealand. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Autumn is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

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.

Official URLwomad.co.nz
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually March
Source statusOfficial source linked
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