Question 1

TICKETING TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Accepted Answer

These must be accepted to purchase tickets.   All tickets are non-refundable. We will not be offering a refund NO EXCEPTIONS, unless
If the festival is unable to take place on 12-14 March 2027 ticket holders will be refunded their face value tickets. Ticket holders’ consent to being filmed, photographed, and recorded.  These recordings will be used to promote WOMAD Aotearoa.  Ticket holders agree to the WOMAD Aotearoa T&C’s and our code of conduct – keep reading for our Code of Conduct.

Question 2

SAFETY AT THE FESTIVAL/CODE OF CONDUCT

Accepted Answer

WOMAD Aotearoa is committed to creating a safe, comfortable, fun experience for everyone. For your safety and that of your fellow WOMADers, you may be searched either on entry to the festival or within the festival site.When you buy your ticket you are agreeing that you won’t: Irresponsibly or unsafely use alcohol.Access restricted areas without the proper passes.Use offensive language or act abusively.Use obscene or offensive gestures, including the use of obscene or offensive gestures through imagery or symbolism. This includes bringing banners, signs and other means of visual propaganda into the festival.Possess/use/sell illegal drugs.Publicly urinate or defecate (outside of a proper and/or public restroom).Fight or engage in any action that may harm, endanger, threaten or bring discomfort to anyone.Damage, destruct, vandalise or steal any property.Refuse or resist a search.This forms our WOMAD Code of Conduct for guests. If you violate this code of conduct, you risk being removed from the festival, forfeiting your right to re-enter as your wristband will be taken and no refund given.We have festival security on-site at all times to help look after everyone. Should you require assistance or have any enquiries, please talk to our wonderful staff at the information centre, located at the top of the Bowl hill!

Question 3

WHAT I CAN & CANNOT BRING TO WOMAD

Accepted Answer

As well as a good attitude and dancing shoes, there is a range of helpful items you can bring with you into the venue to make your festival experience an organised and comfortable one!What I CAN bring to WOMAD:Baby strollersBackpacks, purses, handbags, totes and fanny packs (no hydration packs allowed)BinocularsBlankets (small) and beach towelsCameras (just not professional cameras unless you are accredited media)Children (make sure they are with an adult ticket holder on arrival and upon leaving)Food (homemade picnic food is allowed) commercially bought food is prohibitedLaptop computers and tabletsPersonal items (such as sunglasses, make-up, lip balm, hand sanitiser and baby wipes are allowed and non-aerosols such as pump or squeeze sunscreen, roll-on deodorant, spray perfume and spray insect repellent)Phones and chargers (we have power banks for purchase if you get low)Sand/festival chairs (chairs higher than 10cm off the ground are to be placed to the sides and behind patrons, so as not to block the viewing of others).Service animals only (no pets)Umbrellas (handheld) and parasols (beach umbrellas are not allowed as they obstruct other festivalgoers viewing)Re-usable water bottles (you can refill your water for FREE at the WAI Water Refill stations!  Pack your non-glass, empty water bottle, or if you forget, visit the WAI WATER stall, and grab yourself a new reusable bottle that comes filled with chilled still water)As part of our efforts to keep everyone safe and to protect our beautiful environment, there are a number of things we ask you to leave at home. If you are found with any of these items, you risk having them confiscated or you may be escorted from site by security or police. What I CANNOT bring to WOMAD:Aerosol products (includes aerosol sunscreen, insect repellent, deodorant and hair products)Air hornsBeach UmbrellasBYO Alcohol (strictly forbidden from site and will be confiscated if found)Commercial Food and Drink (no pre-packaged food or drinks allowed – we have our amazing Global Village with a huge variety of tasty food and beverages to purchase – plus our many Wai Water stalls for re-filling your drink bottles)Drones or remote-control toysDrugs or drug paraphernalia (including cannabis, synthetic cannabis or cannabis products)Flammables (including fireworks, explosives, road flares, naked flames or candles)Flags or totemsFlashlightsFlyers, samples, giveaways, promotional itemsGang regaliaGlass bottles or containersHydration PacksKites Kites or sky lanternsLaser pointersMusical instruments (unless you are one of our incredible artists!)Professional cameras unless you are accredited mediaSelfie sticks or tripodsSleeping bagsSunshades or pop-up beach shelters (handheld umbrellas and parasols are allowed)Tents Toy guns, water guns or slingshotsVehicles (including but not limited to bicycles, skates, scooters, skateboards, hoverboards, segways, e-scooters etc. These personal vehicles cannot be used within the venue but you can lock them up outside the entry gates (at your own risk). Personal mobility devices for ADA guests are allowed).Weapons of any kind (this ban includes but is not limited to guns, ammo, pocket knives, tasers, pepper spray/mace etc. Off-duty law enforcement or concealed carry permits are also not allowed to bring weapons – just bring love!

Question 4

WHEN DO I GET MY WRISTBAND? WHAT HAPPENS AT THE GATES?

Accepted Answer

Every guest coming onto the WOMAD festival site needs to present their ticket.This includes:Adults (18yrs+)Youth (16 – 17yrs, will be required to present a valid form of ID as well)Note that each adult ticket holder is entitled to one free child ticket (15 yrs and under) and both the child and adult must be wrist-banded at the same time. Additional children (15 yrs and under) with a ticket of their own.You can either print out your ticket and have it scanned, or show your ticket on your phone to be scanned.Once your ticket is accepted our friendly gate staff will give you your wristband. Don’t take your wristband off as it is how you get back into the festival.You can leave the festival site at any time, but you must show your wristband each time you come back. Youth ticket holders may leave the venue but will not be allowed on to the festival site after 7pm unless accompanied by a parent or caregiver who is 18 years or older.Our gate staff are trained to check all people entering the site for contraband items (see the list above), so expect to open your bag at the entry lanes.If you prefer, you can choose to be wrist-banded at one of our pre-wristbanding sites.

Question 5

THE LAKE – IT LOOKS SO REFRESHING!

Accepted Answer

No swimming in the lake, it’s gross, it’s yucky and you run the risk of getting sick if you enter the water. If you enter the lake your wristband will be cut off and you will be evicted from the site, forfeiting the right to come back into the festival.

Question 6

CARING FOR BROOKLANDS TREES AND GARDENS

Accepted Answer

WOMAD Aotearoa is held in the beautiful Bowl of Brooklands and Brooklands Park, in New Plymouth, Taranaki. The park is home to a stunning array of trees and gardens and we want to keep it that way. Please keep off the gardens and especially don’t climb the trees.

Question 7

SMOKEFREE VENUE

Accepted Answer

WOMAD adheres to the New Plymouth District Council’s Smokefree Parks and Outdoor Areas Policy and encourage all WOMAD punters to respect this by not smoking within the venue including cigarettes, e-cigarettes and vape pens.

Question 8

PHONE CHARGING

Accepted Answer

Power Banks will be available to purchase on-site!

Question 9

ENTRANCES

Accepted Answer

The four entrances to the festival are:   GATE C – Kaimata St    GATE D – Brooklands Drive   GATE E – Dell Lake   GATE F – Racecourse

Question 10

HOURS

Accepted Answer

Fri, 4.30pm – 11.30pm    Sat, 11am – 11.30pm    Sun, 11am – 10pm   (performance start times to follow in October with our main artist announcement)

Question 11

LOST PROPERTY

Accepted Answer

During the festival, lost property can be collected from the Information Centre. After the festival, any unclaimed items will be available for collection from the TAFT office at 50 Brougham St, New Plymouth, for one week. After this period, remaining items will be handed over to the New Plymouth Police Station.

GENERAL FAQ's

TICKETING TERMS AND CONDITIONS

SAFETY AT THE FESTIVAL/CODE OF CONDUCT

WHAT I CAN & CANNOT BRING TO WOMAD

WHEN DO I GET MY WRISTBAND? WHAT HAPPENS AT THE GATES?

THE LAKE – IT LOOKS SO REFRESHING!

CARING FOR BROOKLANDS TREES AND GARDENS

SMOKEFREE VENUE

PHONE CHARGING

ENTRANCES

HOURS

LOST PROPERTY

CAMPING FAQ's

GENERAL INFO

FOR ALL PEOPLE CAMPING

SAFETY IN THE CAMPSITE

WHAT IS NOT ALLOWED IN THE CAMPSITE?

CAN I BRING FOOD AND DRINK INTO THE CAMPSITE?

ACCESSIBILITY AT WOMAD

GENERAL INFO

GOLF CART PICK UP AND DROP OFF SERVICE

HOW DO I GET AN ACCESSIBLE PARKING PARKING PASS?

ENTRY FOR ACCESSIBILITY PASS HOLDERS

WHERE ARE THE ACCESSIBLE PARKING AREAS?

faqs