Press Release October 2020

Our world is facing extraordinary challenges right now and those opportunities when we gather and connect as a community are very precious. With continued restrictions on gatherings and events and the uncertainty of how long the issues with Covid-19 will last the committee for the A Taste of Matarangi festival have made the decision to cancel the 2021 festival.

The committee which is made up of volunteers take months to plan and prepare for the festival which is why they are having to make the decision now. They are hugely proud of the event but the very real possibility is that they cannot host this event within the restrictions or potential changes around public events. The committee have found it a difficult decision to make knowing that it will be a huge disappointment to everyone involved.

We are incredibly grateful to all the sponsors, artists, stall vendors, volunteers and community groups whose support enables us to deliver this very successful event. We also feel for our local business community who will be impacted by this cancellation.

To our loyal and passionate audiences, when we come through the challenges of Covid-19 we will once again be ready to come together as a community to celebrate another festival with you, when the time is right.

We thank you for your support and understanding!

Your Festival Team

A Taste of Matarangi - Cancelled for 2020

The Government is taking action based on global effects of the coronavirus also known as COVID19. As the virus has already hit our shores preventative action is required. As organisers of this event we have a lot at stake and our first priority is the people and their health & well-being. Our volunteers, musicians, stallholders, patrons and stakeholders make up this event and we do not wish to the put people who attend or who are working in an environment of close social contact, at risk. Based on the Government’s announcement this afternoon, the committee wish to announce A Taste of Matarangi festival will be cancelled for this year. The organisers have spent months preparing for this event and are devastated to make this announcement. We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused you.

TICKET REFUNDS

The A Taste of Matarangi organising committee have decided to offer a refund for the cancellation of the 2020 festival due to COVID-19. We feel this is the right thing to do even though tickets are normally non-refundable. The committee are trying to make this process as simple as possible.

For online purchases – you will receive an email advising of the refund process.
For tickets purchased from Whitianga I-site - please return your tickets to the I-Site for refund
For tickets purchased from Richardsons Real Estate in Matarangi – please return your tickets to Richardsons office directly or by post with the following information detailed on the back of each ticket:

Name
Email
Phone No.
Bank account No.

Tickets will be refunded by bank transfer only. If we do not receive your request for a refund by 30^th of April, your ticket will be gifted to the event charities. For any further queries please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We look forward to making plans for next year’s festival which is to be held on 10^th April 2021. We thank you for your support and understanding. As you will appreciate it is beyond our control.

Warm regards,
The A Taste of Matarangi Committee

Terms & Conditions

Important Information. To help the day run smoothly, please note the following information:

Entry

No food or drink (other than one unopened bottle of water per person) may be brought into the venue.
You may be asked for ID upon entry – those under 18years of age will be given a coloured wristband, to indicate that alcohol cannot be
sold to them. Please note that stallholders do still have the right to ask for proof of age for the sale of alcohol.
Security and event management have the right to search your bag.
No animals other than Guide dogs are permitted into the venue.

Liquor Information – in line with our Liquor License

There is a total liquor ban in the Matarangi area from 7pm Friday 3rd to 7am Sunday 5th April.
Alcohol can only be bought and consumed on site, and will be available for sale from 10am to 4pm.
Signage regarding the sale of liquor policy will be displayed throughout the venue.
We will be responsible hosts of alcohol; misuse of alcohol may result in eviction from the event.
The ‘Kids Zone’ is an alcohol-free area – liquor is not permitted in this area at all.
Official event wine glasses will be available for purchase at the merchandise tent.

Food and Beverages

A variety of food and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase at various stalls.
Bottled water will be sold at the event merchandise tent.
You are not permitted to bring in your own food. We have asked stallholders to keep food and beverage prices to a minimum to ensure
something is available for everyone.

Transport

Shuttle services are providing safe and sober transport to and from Matarangi from other areas in the Coromandel.
Prebooking of transport is essential for these services to run.
Go-Kiwi shuttle services will provide for private group bookings only – 0800 44 65 49 or go to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
From Coromandel/Whangapoua – contact Coromandel Adventures – 0800 46 26 76 or go to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Kids Zone

A dedicated area for children will be at the playground and on the beach reserve and will have a number of activities.
This area is strictly alcohol free!

Shelter

Due to a lack of natural shade in the Village Green, areas will be set aside for the use of gazebos and sun umbrellas.
Event organisers have provided a large tent for shelter.
You may bring your own gazebos (3m x 3m) and sun umbrellas. There will be limited space available for your own gazebos (3mx3m).
We ask that you consider others when positioning and putting them up.

Cash

We recommend you bring cash as most vendors will not have eftpos or card facilities.
There will be an eftpos machine for cash withdrawals on the day operating from the event management tent (next to the stage).

Emergency Support

Both a First Aider and the Fire Service will be in attendance at the festival.

Animals

Due to health & safety regulations, animals are not permitted at the venue at any time.
Of course, Guide Dogs are welcome.

Event Management

The event committee will be based near the stage
This will be a place for lost and found, health & safety, feed-back forms, Cash –out and any enquiries.

Tickets

Tickets cannot be refunded or re-sold and if lost cannot be replaced.
Unauthorised duplication, defaced or sale of tickets may prevent your admittance to the event.
Please treat your ticket like cash. Once you have received your ticket, it is solely your responsibility. If you lose your ticket, we are
unable to reissue.
NO TICKET – NO ENTRY.

Gate Sales

Limited gate sales will be available, but they will be more expensive than tickets purchased prior to the day.
Event day tickets – Adult (18+yrs) $25 each, Family 5-17yrs (2 adults and 2 children) $50 each, child $5each, under 5yrs free.

Security

A number of security officers will be at the venue to ensure you have a safe day.
Upon entry and at any time during the event, security and event management have the right to inspect bags.
Management reserves the right to remove or refuse entry to ticket holders considered dangerous or a nuisance to others, or who fail to
comply with reasonable requests.

Cancellation

This festival will go ahead rain or shine so please come prepared for New Zealand’s changeable weather.
The festival will only be cancelled if the conditions are considered dangerous by the organisers, and will be advertised on Coromandel
MORE FM and A Taste of Matarangi Facebook page.
No refund will be offered in these circumstances.

Smoking

There will be designated smoking areas on site (behind TCDC toilets, next to potaloos by liquor area & Cordyline Cr Entrance)
Please use the Butt Bins available to discard your smoke butts.

Changes to the Event

Occasionally changes to the line up or programme times occur that are out of the event organisers’ control.
No refund will be offered in these circumstances.

The event organisers wish to thank you for supporting this event. Enjoy your day.

Contact

Require more info?

Send an enquiry.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Event Coordinator
Bronwyn Ririnui

phone: 07-867-1252
mobile: 021-158-4774

Contact Info

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Event Coordinator
Bronwyn Ririnui

phone: 07-867-1252
mobile: 021-158-4774

Volunteers

Every year we rely heavily on volunteer support and the event would not be possible without a dedicated pool of 60 volunteers who offer their skills, talent and time.

We also rely on volunteers to assist in activities or donate items to support fundraising initiatives to further our objectives.

Please contact us if you would like to be a much appreciated event volunteer.