Overview
It's that time of the year again when you've borrowed your mum's sewing machine, the floor of your lounge is covered in glitter and you're attempting to piece together the most epic costume anyone has ever seen.
Nothing says summer quite like a festival, and with possibly the most well-rounded ethos of any festival around the country, Splore is a one that needs to go at the top of your bucket list.
Boasting a fine mix of local and international acts and a main stage that sits right on the shore line, it's all about nurturing your soul with the perfect mix of art, music, performance, food and good vibes.
THE KAUPAPA
The team at Splore really do care about this gorgeous piece of land we call home and sustainability is at the heart of everything they do. They are even the first festival in Aotearoa to gain international recognition for their sustainability initiatives and have ' A Green Festival Award' to prove it.
In line with the kaupapa, don't expect to buy any single use cups or water bottles at the festival and they have a target of 85% diversion of waste to landfill so keep that in mind when packing.
If you've ever been to a festival and spent most of your time crossing your legs to avoid the much dreaded portaloos, you'll be pleased to hear that Splore has composting toilets clean enough to put your home toilet to shame.
WEIRD TOGETHER
Let me introduce you to your new festival favourites, Weird Together. Unlike anything you've ever heard before, the project is the brainchild of local darlings, DJs Dick Johnson and Nick Dwyer and features a lineup of talent from across the globe including a rotating group of talented dancers.
Having just released their latest single featuring the legendary RemBunction from Trinidad & Tobago, Weird Together are never short of tunes to get you shaking your booty.
Mixing up sounds from far away lands, this is world music with a little bit of kick. An explosion of sound, colour and culture, Weird Together will have a prime position on the main stage this year and are definitely not one to miss.
STRANGELY FAMILIAR
At Splore, you can be whoever you want to be, in fact, dressing up is encouraged and always one of the highlights for festival goers. This year's theme is Strangely Familiar, a bit of a family reunion of sorts, it's all about getting a little weird with your fellow kindred spirits.
Whether you've been to every Splore held over the past decade or are planning to dive in for the first time, everyone's part of the Splore family. Black sheep or prodigal child, there's room for everyone.
While you're encouraged to rock a costume on all three days of Splore, be sure to save your best getup for Saturday night when the whole festival comes alive and things get a little strangely familiar.
Just don't be one of 'those' people, cultural appropriation isn't cool. You do you.
THE LOCATION
Tāpapakanga Park is the stunning regional park just outside of Auckland that plays host to Splore every year. The homeland of Ngāti Pāoa and Ngāti Whanaunga, festival goers, artists and crew have the blessing of the tangata whenua and those who make it through the gates first thing on Friday are met with a powhiri by local iwi.
Located on the firth of Thames, just south of Ōrere Point, this gorgeous piece of land offers up a pohutukawa fringed coastline and with the main stage sitting right on the shore's edge, it's the perfect setup for hanging out in the sea while you listen to your favourite artist. How many festival's can boast that kind of experience?
The park is home to a number archaeological sites including three Māori pā, rua (storage pits), tūāpapa (terraces), ahu ota ota (shell middens) and umu (ovens), meaning there's a few places off limits for festival goers so while you're off exploring, be sure to keep and eye out for signs and be respectful when you come across the no-go areas. You don't want to be 'that guy'.
SAMPA THE GREAT
Sampa the Great is heading to our shores for Splore this year and what a way to kick off a New Zealand debut. With a unique mix of spoken word and rap, Sampa is a rising talent on the music scene and if you haven't yet heard of her, be sure to head on over to her Soundcloud and prepare to be lost for words.
After releasing her debut 12-track mixtape, produced by Australian beatmaker Godriguez, it seems like the world just can't get enough of this fresh talent. Born in Zambia and based in Sydney, for Sampa, performing is in the blood and we're certainly glad that it is.
FOR THE KIDS
Who says festivals are only for grownups? If you've got a little one at home and you're keen to be right there beside them at their first festival, then start them young and bring them along for the ride. Kids under 12 are free and there are discounted tickets available for school aged teens, so you know the Splore team have got your back.
The Rumpus Room has heaps to keep the younger ones entertained and when they aren't dancing or down at the beach, they can delve into glow poi making, circus and acrobatics skills workshops, create a crazy costume or play some classic Kiwi beach games with their new bffs.
If you're thinking 'yeah but this is a festival, how am I going to get them to sleep at night', you'll be pleased to hear that Splore has got you covered with camping areas specifically for families of all sizes. There's even a Splore Families Facebook page, so you can keep up-to-date with all of the happenings pre-festival and connect with other families who are on the same wavelength.
THE PERFORMANCE
Not just your average music festival, Splore is about all forms of creativity and dance, acrobatics, percussion and cabaret are among the diverse acts for you to sink your teeth into this year.
For a bit of something different, if you're that person that's always trying to drop low at parties but never quite manages to pull it off, how about you finally learn how to twerk and hit up the Twerk it Out workshops. Yes, you read that right. On both Saturday and Sunday, you'll have the chance to learn from a pro who knows a thing or two about shaking, popping and dropping.
WELLNESS CENTRAL
New to Splore this year is a dedicated wellness area. The Ceres Organics Wellness Central will allow festival-goers to balance their mind, body and spirit through free transformational workshops or holistic treatments. The hub will host both informative and experiential workshops, presentations and activities across weekend, including crystal bowl sound healing, Indian head massage, laughing yoga, a masterclass on how to make wild weed pesto from your garden, hot stone massage, ancient Māori healing and ancient Hawaiian body work.