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From whitebait to huhu grubs
Whitebait, venison and wild pork sit alongside the famous huhu grubs, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options too.
Festivals & traditions
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A group dressed as green toy soldiers at the 2011 Hokitika Wildfoods Festival; a file photo. · Report image rightsHokitika · New ZealandFestivals & traditions
2027.03.13 · Coming soon
Dare to try something wild?
Hokitika Wildfoods Festival 2027
Founded in 1990 on the South Island’s West Coast, the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival celebrates wild food and West Coast people, and 2027 is its 37th year. Expect whitebait, venison, wild pork and the famous huhu grubs, alongside vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. The 2027 festival is one day, Saturday 13 March, in Cass Square in the middle of town; so far the site promises tahr burgers, live music and Feral Fashion, with more stalls and entertainment to come. It goes ahead rain or shine.
GOWOAH / Hokitika
A REASON TO GO
A REASON TO GO
Cass Square2027.03.13Festivals & traditionsTicket required
FIND YOUR REASON
What draws you to this experience?
02
2027 so far: tahr burgers
So far the site has named one dish, tahr burgers, with more stalls and entertainment to come.
Festivals & traditions03
Come in costume
Costumes are part of the day, and 2027 brings Feral Fashion and live music all day.
Festivals & traditionsProgramme, background & sources
Checked · 2026-10-16
A LITTLE CLOSER
A closer look.
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2011 · Eli Duke · Photo source · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Preview cropped; enlarge for full image. · Report image rights
MAKE IT YOUR EXPERIENCE
Does this fit what you are looking for?
This could be for you if you are…
- Adventurous eaters
- Anyone travelling the South Island’s West Coast
Before you decide
Most 2027 stalls and entertainment are still to come.
Food is paid for separately.
West Coast weather changes fast, and it runs rain or shine.
FIND YOUR PLACE
Explore the layout. Plan your route.
This edition’s site map is not out yet.
Open official guide ↗FROM AN IDEA TO A PLAN
Make a plan that works for you.
Dates & times
2027.03.13Saturday 13 March 2027 (New Zealand time), gates 10:30am; closing time to be announced.
Pacific/AucklandMore programme details
- From whitebait to huhu grubs
- 2027 so far: tahr burgers
- Come in costume
Venue & travel
Cass SquareCass Square is an easy walk from central Hokitika, with free public parking around town. Buses from Greymouth, Fox Glacier or Franz Josef must be booked ahead.
Entry & companions
Every ticket covers all stages, stalls and main events. Under-16s must be with an adult; no outside food or alcohol; tickets are non-refundable. At the gate: adults NZ$65, ages 12–17 NZ$20, 11 and under free. Food and drink are paid for separately.
Tickets & access
NZD 20–65
Confirm accessibility services and companion policies with the organiser before travel.
Sources & image credits
Dates and entry details refer to this edition; individual sessions may differ.
Eli Duke · CC BY-SA 2.0 Image source
Westland District Council
A group dressed as green toy soldiers at the 2011 Hokitika Wildfoods Festival; a file photo.
Information checked on 2026-10-16
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Photo source · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Cropped preview· Report image rights
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Photo source · CC0 · Cropped preview· Report image rights
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