Lake Wānaka SouNZ is “taking a hiatus” this summer after running Rippon Festival since 1998 and Tuki Festival since 2014.

Organisers will spend the break looking at reshaping the event for the future.

Lake Wānaka SouNZ director Lynne Christie will be stepping down to “leave a gap for someone younger and brillianter,” she said but she will take a guidance role during the handover process. 

Since the organisation started in 1997, numerous festivals and events have been added to the cultural calendar in the South Island. 

Tuki Festival has taken place twice, first in 2018 and again in 2020, at Glendhu Station. PHOTO: Wānaka App

The not-for-profit Rippon and Tuki festivals have championed Kiwi music and have featured acts including Kora, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Katchafire, Ladi6, Shihad, Anika Moa, Shapeshifter and many more. 

Nostalgia, Electric Avenue, Relish, Festival of Colour, Rhythm & Alps, King Beats, Gibbston Concerts, and Top Paddock have also joined the fray in the last decade. 

Lake Wānaka SouNZ has championed NZ music since 1998: Pictured is metal band Alien Weaponry performing at Tuki in 2020. PHOTO: Wānaka App

After 25 years organising New Zealand-only music events, Lynne said original music of all genres in Aotearoa is absolutely thriving and “better than ever” in 2021.

The biennial music summit YAMI (Youth & Adults in the Music Industry), which is also run by Lake Wānaka SouNZ, will continue to provide the weekend of workshops, seminars and performances in May, and Lynne will continue to direct the summit.

In a statement, Lake Wānaka SouNZ said there had been lots of people from within the community and around the country who have “put their hand up” to create a smaller event in late 2022 under the Lake Wānaka SouNZ banner.