The Hokitika Wildfoods Festival, on Saturday 13 March 2027 in Cass Square, Hokitika, is New Zealand's best-known adventurous food festival, now in its 37th year. Expect whitebait, venison, tahr burgers and the famous huhu grubs, plus live music and feral fashion. Early bird tickets are $40; at the gate adults pay $65, youth (12 to 17) $20 and children 11 and under are free.
On this page
Key facts
- When
- Saturday 13 March 2027, gates open 10.30 am
- Where
- Cass Square, central Hokitika
- Early bird
- General admission $40; VIP $250 (tables of up to 10)
- At the gate
- Adults $65, youth (12 to 17) $20, children 11 and under free
- West Coast locals
- $30, in store at Hokitika, Greymouth or Westport i-SITEs
- Rules
- All ages; under-16s with an adult. No outside food or alcohol.
- Buses
- Pre-book from Greymouth or Franz Josef and Fox Glacier
- Weather
- Goes ahead rain or shine
What it is
The Hokitika Wildfoods Festival started in 1990 as a small community celebration of the West Coast’s natural larder and pioneering spirit. It grew into one of New Zealand’s most iconic and longest-running festivals, and 2027 is its 37th year. It is held in Cass Square in the centre of Hokitika, on the South Island’s rugged West Coast, and draws thousands of visitors from around New Zealand and overseas.
What to expect
A full day of food, music and West Coast hospitality:
- Wild food: whitebait, venison and wild pork, adventurous bites such as huhu grubs (a native beetle larva), and stallholders competing to create the wildest combinations. Tahr burgers are on the 2027 menu.
- Live music across the day and feral fashion, with more entertainment announced closer to the date.
- Artisan stalls, a family zone with kids’ activities, and local food and drink vendors.
Gates open at 10.30 am, and most people stay for the afternoon. The festival is committed to strict waste reduction.
Who it suits
Adventurous eaters, groups of friends and families. It is all ages, but children under 16 must be with an adult.
Tickets and booking
- Early bird general admission: $40
- Early bird VIP: $250, in an exclusive VIP tent, with tables of up to 10. Limited.
- West Coast locals: $30, in store at the Hokitika Westland, Greymouth or Westport i-SITEs only
- At the gate: adults $65, youth (12 to 17) $20, children 11 and under free
All tickets give access to all stages, stalls and main events. Tickets are non-refundable, so book early to save.
Getting there
Cass Square is an easy walk from central Hokitika. Estimated drive times:
- Greymouth: about 40 km, 35 minutes
- Franz Josef: about 135 km, 1 hour 45 minutes
- Christchurch: about 250 km, 3 hours 30 minutes over Arthur’s Pass
Hokitika has a small airport with flights from Christchurch. If you are staying out of town, pre-book the official buses from Greymouth or from Franz Josef and Fox Glacier. Free public parking is signposted around the town centre, and accessible drop-off zones are near the entrance. Arrive early to avoid queues.
Where to stay
Hokitika fills up on festival weekend, so book early. Greymouth and the glacier towns are alternatives with festival buses. See our Franz Josef Glacier guide for staying near the glaciers.
Food and drink
Everything is on site: no outside food or alcohol is allowed. There are vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, as well as the wild menu.
What to bring
A rain jacket and layers as well as sunscreen. The festival goes ahead rain or shine, and West Coast weather can change in minutes. Bring a sense of adventure too.
Make a trip of it
Hokitika is on the classic West Coast road trip. Walk the beach in town or drive out to Hokitika Gorge, then head south to the glaciers with our Franz Josef Glacier guide, or follow our 14-day South Island road trip.
FAQ
What counts as wild food?
Are there vegetarian or vegan options?
How much are Wildfoods tickets?
Is it good for children?
How do I get there from Greymouth or Franz Josef?
What if it rains?
Sources
Last checked 11 November 2026 against the organiser's own pages
