The Ōpōtiki Matariki Festival already has nominations in two categories at the New Zealand Event Awards and organisers are calling on the community to help secure an additional honour.

The annual festival has been nominated for Arts, Cultural or Heritage Event of the Year 2025 and for Community or Not-for-profit Event of the Year 2025 (under 3000 participants).

The isite team would like to add New Zealand’s Favourite Event to the festival’s accolades but with the title decided by public vote, it needs the community’s help.

They are encouraging everyone to not only cast their vote, but encourage their friends and whānau and extended social networks to do the same.

Here’s the link to vote: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/news/2025/07/who-will-be-named-new-zealands-favourite-event2