How New Zealand's "Rhythm and Vines" Festival Fosters a Culture of Lifetime Membership

By Holly Owen, FestForums | April 14, 2025

Nestled in the hills of Gisborne, New Zealand's Rhythm and Vines has established itself as the country's premier New Year's music festival since its inception. Every December, thousands of Kiwis make the journey to Waiohika Estate to ring in the New Year with music, friends, and celebration. But RNV isn't just another festival on the calendar—it's become a cultural institution that generates remarkable loyalty among attendees year after year.

What makes Rhythm and Vines unique is how deeply it's woven into the fabric of New Zealand's cultural identity. As a New Zealander now living in California and working in the entertainment industry, I've witnessed firsthand how RNV was always posed to me as a "when" not an "if." This festival isn't presented as an option but as an inevitable experience—a rite of passage for young Kiwis.

A large portion of why RNV fosters such a strong repeat environment stems from its community-focused approach. With New Zealand being a small country, one of the best parts of the festival is seeing everyone you grew up with. The experience of enjoying peak summer with your best mates, then unexpectedly bumping into your childhood best friend, creates a powerful social draw that extends far beyond the musical lineup.

These unexpected reunions happen organically throughout the festival grounds, turning RNV into something of an annual homecoming celebration. When the community aspect is as strong as the entertainment itself, people keep coming back year after year.

What truly sets Rhythm and Vines apart from other festivals worldwide is its unique geographical setup. Yes, a hill makes the festival. Instead of everyone being on a flat surface like most music festivals, RNV's hillside venue transforms the entire experience.

The hill makes it possible to see the stage from virtually any distance, creating better views no matter where you're standing. It also makes finding friends infinitely easier in a crowd of thousands. This natural amphitheater design facilitates both the musical experience and the social connections that make RNV special.

As New Zealand's premier New Year's festival, RNV has cemented itself as more than just an event—it's a cultural milestone. The timing during peak summer, combined with the New Year celebration, creates perfect conditions for an annual tradition. For many Kiwis, ringing in the New Year at RNV becomes part of their identity, something they look forward to summer after summer.

Even for those of us who have moved abroad, RNV maintains a strong pull. The festival represents not just music and friends, but a connection to home and to our formative experiences that shaped us. It's why so many expats plan their trips back to New Zealand around the festival dates.

Rhythm and Vines Co-founder & Director Hamish Pinkam spoke at FestForums earlier in February 2025 on the “Learning from Festivals Around the World” panel. Pinkham is passionate about the development of the music, events, tourism and creative industries both at home and abroad.

Working in the entertainment industry here in California has given me a unique perspective on festival culture worldwide. What stands out about RNV is its remarkable ability to create genuine lifelong connections. Few festivals manage to create the sense of lifetime membership that RNV has achieved. Through its community focus, unique venue design, and cultural positioning, Rhythm and Vines has transcended being merely a music festival to become a recurring chapter in many New Zealanders' life stories, including my own.