The Pacific Crystal Palace is a major drawcard and venue for the Wānaka Festival of Colour, which finished its 2025 season last week, but the costs associated with bringing it here pose a “significant financial challenge”, the festival says.

Festival of Colour executive director Ruth Heath said the palace is co-owned by the New Zealand festival consortia (festivals from Wānaka, Taranaki, Tauranga, and Hamilton), and based at Port Tauranga.

“Bringing it to Wānaka remains a significant financial challenge due to high freight, labour, and ongoing operational costs,” Ruth said.

“We’ve explored alternative venues and cost-saving options, but none offer meaningful savings - and all fall short in terms of adaptability and audience experience.”

The special character of the palace makes the cost worthwhile, even though it is not without its challenges, Ruth said.

“A venue like the palace is essential to delivering a festival of this scale and ambition for our community. The unique character and atmosphere of the palace also creates something special that’s not easily replicated.”

Ruth said the ongoing logistical and financial challenge adds to the Festival of Colour’s fundraising efforts, and “strengthens the case for a purpose-built performing arts centre in Wānaka”.

The Wānaka Arts and Cultural Charitable Trust (WACT) was established in 2021 to advocate for a state-of-the-art performance and visual arts facility.

WACT is considering its future after the proposed arts facility was not included in Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) Long Term Plan (LTP) last year.

Ruth said if anyone would like to support the Crystal Palace they should get in touch with the Festival of Colour.

Read more: LTP: Arts advocates disappointed, but council work continues