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The WOMAD Aotearoa festival, held in New Plymouth’s Brooklands Park, will be paused in 2026, meaning there will be no festival next year. Organisers are calling this a “purposeful rest”; a deliberate decision to pause rather than an indefinite cancellation. The decision follows: Rising Costs: Inflation, increasing operational costs, logistical challenges, and general cost pressures in the live events sector are cited as major factors and Shifting Conditions in the Festival Industry: Uncertainty around regulations, artist availability, transport, insurance, and other variables that affect large festivals.
Organisers emphasise that pausing for a year is seen as the most responsible way to protect WOMAD’s future – to ensure it can continue “the exceptional festival you know and love.” WOMAD Aotearoa is deeply embedded culturally and economically in the Taranaki region. Since its launch in 2003, the festival has contributed about NZD 190 million in economic benefit to the region.
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