Toi Kiri Postponed, Returning In 2026

The organisers of Toi Kiri, a cornerstone celebration of indigenous cultural arts, announce an important update for the festival: Toi Kiri 2025 will be postponed with the next full-scale event scheduled for 2026.

After careful consideration, the decision has been made to postpone Toi Kiri until 2026. The current funding environment presents challenges in delivering the high-quality, large-scale event that artists, communities, and audiences have come to expect. Postponing 2025 is a strategic move, designed to foster greater collaboration, enable deeper community engagement, and support sustainable growth.

"This festival has always been about more than just skinmarking, cultural arts, performances, or exhibitions. Cultural arts are a language of their own — they embody expression, connection, storytelling, resilience, and relationships," says Festival Manager Chontelle Hohaia. "By postponing 2025, we are creating the time and space necessary for Toi Kiri to grow, evolve, support, and authentically reflect the diverse indigenous communities it represents on an international level."

Julie Paama-Pengelly, Chairperson of festival organiser Te Tuhi Mareikura Trust, adds, "Toi Kiri is delivered by a small but deeply committed team. With existing commitments for 2025 and the current economic climate, this decision was not made lightly. It reflects our long-term vision: to ensure every edition of the festival is impactful, well-resourced, and meaningful. We are confident that with additional time for planning, collaboration, and creativity, Toi Kiri’s return in 2026 will be stronger than ever."

While a major festival will not take place in 2025, a series of smaller events and community-led initiatives — including the long-awaited rangatahi projects — will continue throughout the year.

The Toi Kiri team extends its sincere thanks to the many artists, vendors, performers, cultural groups, speakers, suppliers, community members, volunteers, partners, funders, and supporters who continue to champion the festival’s kaupapa. Festival dates for 2026 will be announced later this year.

Stay informed at www.toikiri.nz and by following on social media at Facebook @www.toi.kiri, Instagram @toi.kiri, and TikTok @toi.kiri

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