Concert Info / FAQ

COVID-19

I haven’t been vaccinated, can I still attend the festival?

We are united as a country and respect your decision around vaccinations, whatever that may be. We’re working hard to bring you a festival this summer in one of New Zealand’s most beautiful locations, but to do that we need to follow the government guidelines to ensure this can happen and keep you all safe. As you may be aware, the government has mandated vaccination passports at large events.

Do artists, staff, attendees, and everyone need to be vaccinated?

We are united as a country and respect your decision around vaccinations, whatever that may be. We’re working hard to bring you a festival this summer in one of New Zealand’s most beautiful locations, but to do that we need to follow the government guidelines to ensure this can happen and keep you all safe. As you may be aware, the government has mandated vaccination passports at large events.

Contact tracing

It is vital tickets be in the correct name of the person planning to attend the festival with that ticket. Please ensure you have valid ID to match the name on the ticket.

Upon arrival to the festival and buses, please use the NZ Covid Tracer app to scan the specific Sundown QR codes. These will be located at points of entry and as you get on the bus, and around the venue.

Until then, keep up the good mahi and scanning like your summer depends on it!

I think I’ve caught a cold, but I feel ok, can I still attend the venue?

If you are sick: Please stay home, call your doctor and get tested if you have any cold, flu or Covid symptoms.

I have a vaccine exemption; can I still attend the Festival?

We hope to have more information from the government soon to answer this.

We are united as a country Aotearoa and respect your decision around vaccinations, whatever that may be. We’re working hard to bring you a festival this summer in one of New Zealand’s most beautiful locations, but to do that we need to follow the government guidelines to ensure this can happen and keep you all safe.

Will I need to wear a mask and physically distance from others?

We hope to have more information from the government soon to answer this. 

At this stage, you are encouraged to wear a mask at your own discretion when physical distancing is not possible and required to wear masks on public transport and this will include our festival buses.

Will the festival go ahead if we are in lockdown due to COVID-19?

Based on the current Traffic Light System, we hope lockdowns are behind us.  However, if lockdown levels and their restrictions are re-imposed, if we are in any other level, other than level 1 – The festival will be postponed, and all tickets will be valid for the new date. 

Will the festival go ahead if we are in Red Light of the Traffic Light System due to COVID-19?

Based on the current Traffic Light System, if we are in an orange or green light the festival will go ahead as planned.  In the event of a red light – The festival will be postponed, and all tickets will be valid for the new date. 

Will the festival go ahead if we are in Orange Light of the Traffic Light System due to COVID-19?

Based on the current Traffic Light System, yes, orange or green light means large events can go ahead.  

Date & location

When is the event?

Saturday 22nd January, 2022

What are the timings for the event?

2:00pm – 10:00pm

Camp ground opens at 10:00am

Where is the venue?

1064 Tairua Road, Whangamata

How do I get there?

Free buses from The Rugby Club, Aicken Road, Whangamata or you can purchase a parking ticket and drive to the venue.

Who is running the Festival?

Kickdown Festival will be run by Kick Down NZ

Tickets

How do I purchase a ticket?

Tickets are available for purchase now. BUY TICKETS

Where are tickets available?

Tickets are available from this website. BUY TICKETS

How much are tickets?

Ticketing information was released with the Festival Concert line-up announcement. BUY TICKETS

Will tickets be available at the gate on the day?

No. All tickets must be pre-purchased. You must have a ticket to access shuttle bus. You must have a ticket upon arrival at the site. You must have a Parking Ticket if you are arriving by vehicle. There are NO GATE SALES.

What happens if I arrive without a ticket?

You will be refused entry and sent back to the nearest Box Office.

Can I purchase tickets at a reduced price if I come midway through the event, if tickets are still available?FAQ

There are NO GATE SALES. Tickets sold online or at Box Offices are sold at full price regardless of the time you purchase on event day.

What happens if I lose my ticket?

Tickets purchased from a retail outlet cannot be replaced if lost, please treat them like cash. Tickets purchased online will be delivered in the form of a bar-coded print-at-home PDF ticket; or a bar-coded Passbook ticket (electronic ticket on mobile device).  If you are having an issue with your ticket purchased online, please contact:

What are the Event Terms & Conditions?

Shuttle Bus

Is there transport to the Festival?

Yes. A free ride from Whangamata is available to every ticket purchaser. There is also bus services from other surrounding towns Waihi, Whiritoa, Tairua & Pauanui. Tickets for these are available now. BUY TICKETS

The shuttle bus service timetable will be loaded closer to the event.

How often are the buses running?

Buses will continue to run to and from the venue for the duration of the festival.

Can I catch the bus back to Whangamata and leave my car?

The shuttle bus will be available to all Festival attendees for a free return journey to and from the Festival.

The shuttle bus will be available on the morning post event to return shuttle bus campers to Whangamata and will return any Parking ticket holders to the site from Whangamata to collect vehicle if they chose to leave the vehicle parked overnight at the site.

What can I take on the bus?

You may bring a small handy bag. If camping you may bring a basic camping pack with small tent pack, sleeping bag and pillow.

Please note the prohibited items. You may not be allowed on the bus if you have any of these. See questions below for a list of what you can and can't bring.

Bring / Don't Bring

What should I bring to the festival?
  • Your ticket
  • Photo ID
  • Sun protection
  • Hat
  • Happy Face
  • Cash
  • Small hand held bags / backpacks only
What should I NOT bring to the festival?

The following items are prohibited:

  • Alcohol - any alcohol found at the Event Site will be confiscated and will not be returned and the offending patron(s) ejected from Event Site for the remainder of the Event.
  • Glass (jars, bottles, containers, mirrors and perfumes).
  • Air horns.
  • Weapons or explosives of any kind (including potential missiles).
  • Illegal substances.
  • Nitrous oxide bulbs and canisters.
  • Flares, fireworks, sparklers, explosives or any fire twirling equipment.
  • Fires and open flames.
  • Instruments. (Approved for Camping Ticket holders only)
  • Advanced personal vaporizers (or modified APVs) or liquid refills for E-Cigs.
  • Flammable liquids.
  • Sound systems.
  • Portable laser equipment and pens.
  • Sharpies, markers, paint cans or paint pens.
  • Drones or other remote control devices.
  • Couches and chairs. (Small camping chairs are approved for Camping Ticket holders only but not on Event Site)
  • Anything studded (ie belts, wristbands etc).
  • Audio or video recording devices (including GoPro and similar).
  • Professional photography equipment (eg telephoto lenses; any lens over 20cm; any detachable lens; stands or other commercial equipment or anything deemed by Event staff to be professional photography equipment).
  • Kites or sky lanterns.
  • Toy guns, water guns or slingshots.
  • Monopods, tripods or attachment sticks (selfie-sticks).
  • Skateboards, scooters, wagons, carts, rollerblades, roller skates, bicycles, quad-bikes, segways, hoverboards, self-balancing scooters or any personal motorised vehicles.
  • Animals (excluding service dogs such as guide dogs and police or emergency servicedogs).
  • Unauthorised solicitation materials including handbills, flyers, stickers, beach balls, give-aways, samples, or other promotional items.
  • Any other item deemed by Event staff (in their discretion) to be dangerous or offensive or potentially dangerous by Event organisers.
  • Chilly bins / coolers.
  • Umbrellas.

Camping

How do I purchase a camping ticket?

You can add a camping ticket to either a VIP or GA ticket. BUY TICKETS

Will my camp ticket include parking?

No. If you are purchasing a Camping Ticket and want to bring a vehicle you must purchase a Parking Ticket. BUY TICKETS

Can I cook in the camp area?

No. The camp area is set up as a temporary overnight facility. There will be food and beverage available in the camp area. NO open fires allowed.

Will there be showering facilities?

No. The camp area is set up as a temporary overnight facility. There will be a free water station but no showers.

What time is Camping open?

Camping gates will be open from 10.00am on the show date and must be vacated by midday the next day.

Are there any powered campsites available?

Unfortunately we have no powered campsites available for Kickdown 22.

Parking

Is there parking available?

Yes there is a General Parking Ticket available. BUY TICKETS

ID

Is the Festival 18+?

This is an R18 event so evidence of age will only be accepted by NZ or foreign passport, NZ driver’s licence or HANZ 18+ card.

At the Festival

Will there be RFID bands?

No, Only cash and eftpos for payments throughout the event. There will be Eftpos machines available if cash out is needed.

Will Pass Outs be available on the day?

No not from the Event Site.

When do the festival gates open and close?

Gates open at 1:30pm with the event finishing at 10:00pm

What happens if it rains on the day?

Kickdown Festival will go ahead rain, hail or shine.

Can I bring my own alcohol into the festival?

No. Sundown Festival is licensed to sell food & drinks and provides great, well-stocked bars. All vehicles and bags are searched on arrival. Any alcohol will be confiscated.

Can I go bare foot?

Jandals or sandals are fine but we highly recommend enclosed footwear as it is a long day.

Where do I report any lost or found articles?

Found: Please take any found items to Festival staff or hand them in at the Information Booth.

Lost: If you misplace something please check with Information Booth on the day as things will be turned in there.

Can I bring my own food and water into the festival?

Unfortunately we do not allow for outside food to be brought onto the site. There will be a great range of food available for purchase. Sealed plastic water bottles (with or without contents) cannot be brought into the Event Site.

Unsealed EMPTY plastic water bottles (no glass) can be brought into the Event Site.

Will there be food vendors?

Yes, we have a large variety of food vendors available that will be trading from 10:00am

Is there disabled access & facilities?

Yes, there is wheelchair access, surfaces however include metal roadways, grass and dirt covered areas. There are no tar sealed or concrete pathways.

Sale Of Liquor

This is an R18 event so evidence of age will only be accepted by NZ or foreign passport, NZ driver’s licence or HANZ 18+ card. The license requires certain conditions to be adhered to, which will be displayed at all bars.

What if I have a ticket and I am not 18?

This is an R18 event. You may not enter if you are not 18. The Terms & Conditions on the ticket purchase make this quite clear. If you do not have valid ID you may be refused entry. There is no refund for any tickets purchased contrary to the Term & Conditions

What kind of cameras & recording devices can I bring with me?

No professional cameras (read: cameras with detachable lenses) are permitted without formal media accreditation. Like wise no audio or film recording equipment can be brought into the Festival.

Media

Media Requests:

If you wish to apply for media accreditation, please email info@kickdown.co.nz. You will be advised in due course if your application has been approved. Given the small allocation to the event, we advise you to purchase a ticket if you don't want to miss out.

Please note we can not accommodate students or freelancers not representing a music–related media outlet.

Volunteering

Is it possible to work at the festival?

Please email, if you're interested in volunteering at Kickdown Festival. Make sure you include a copy of your CV and all contact details including mobile phone number.

Bar Staff

Can I apply for a bar staff position?

If you would like to apply for a bar staff position, please email info@kickdown.co.nz.  Make sure you include a copy of your CV and all contact details including mobile phone number.

Food Vendors

I'd like to apply to apply as a Festival food vendor. Who should I get in touch with?

We're looking for the absolute cream of the crop and lots of variety at Kickdown Festival. If you'd like to apply, please email us info@kickdown.co.nz

Playing Times & Maps

What are the Festival Playing Times and Maps?

Artist Submissions

Can I submit my band/artist to perform at Kickdown Festival?

Unfortunately no, as we are not accepting any more artist submissions for the 2022 Festival.

Have another question? Get in touch.