Light festival postponed after funding shortfall
A biennial festival that lights up Nelson on cold winter nights has been postponed for a year after failing to raise enough cash to run the popular free event.
The Te Ramaroa Light Festival, which attracted 50,000 people in 2023, was due to be held again this winter from June 27 to July 1.
The last festival featured 40 light installations, many put together by local artists and community groups, backed by support from local businesses.
But, on Thursday organisers announced they had been forced to postpone the event until 2026 due to a $110,000 funding shortfall.
The festival had support from long-standing partners including Nelson City Council and the festival’s patrons, known as ‘luminaries’, but additional funding crucial to the 2025 event had not materialised, a statement announcing the postponement said.
Te Ramaroa Trust chair Annette Milligan said it was “incredibly difficult times” for all festivals.
“With costs soaring and funding becoming more competitive, we simply couldn’t take the financial risk of proceeding without firm backing.
“One of our core values is that Te Ramaroa remains a free event for the whole community. That means we need reliable funding up front — and sadly, that didn’t come together in time.”
Most of the artists had agreed to carry their work over to 2026.
Losing the event this year wasn’t just a blow for the trust and festival goers, Milligan said.
The event was a significant drawcard for hospitality and retail in the quiet winter months, with a 2023 report showing that total spend in the city increased 17% during the event compared to 2019.
“That’s a real boost for our local businesses.”
The trust was committed to bringing the festival back in 2026 and would be continuing to pursue sponsorship and grant funding, she said.
“If we don’t get the support we need from corporate partners, funders, and the wider community, we risk losing Te Ramaroa altogether — and our region would be poorer for it.
“We’d love to hear from anyone interested in sponsoring this well-loved community festival.”
Those interested in becoming a sponsor or supporting the festival can visit teramaroa.nz.
By Warren Gamble, Nelson Mail
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