‘Incredibly busy’: Is New Zealand back on the map for international artists?
Tuesday, 21 October 2025
“Cautiously optimistic” - that is how one commentator is feeling after a recent influx of international artists announced shows in New Zealand, perhaps signalling a turning point for the country’s touring fortunes.
Much has been said about why many overseas acts have been bypassing New Zealand in the last year or so to play in Australia - with Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, and Oasis just some of the big names to skip over Aotearoa.
In September, the Government acknowledged this reality, and announced a new $70 million major events fund to help supercharge the events and tourism sectors.
The funding, which is a mix of new and existing money, will be rolled out over the next two years, in an attempt to help New Zealand compete with Australia for big acts.
And things appear to be already looking up.
Just in the last few weeks, a flurry of international acts have announced they are heading our way, with Garbage, Counting Crows, Sleaford Mods, Iggy Pop, Joan Jett, Tool, and Good Charlotte just a handful of the artists Kiwi’s can expect to see in the next few months.
These recently announced shows come on the back of already announced gigs by the likes of Ed Sheeran, Nick Cave, Metallica, David Byrne, and Lewis Capaldi, while American pop sensation Chappell Roan is set to headline Laneway Festival in February,
Boiler Room music journalist Chris Schulz says things seem better than they were a month ago, and he is cautiously optimistic about how things are tracking.
“We have had some pretty cool fun stuff announced. I’m especially looking at the Tool shows and the Garbage side show. I wouldn’t say we've turned a corner, but it’s definitely a positive sign.”
Schulz told Stuff a raft of acts announcing shows is a “positive sign” especially after a grim winter and that he hopes it is not just an outlier in the overall scheme of things.
“It’s a start. It’s a positive sign for sure. I think after a pretty grim winter, economically and socially, and so much rain, I’m dreaming of being in a field with a cold drink watching a great band.”
The lack of new stadium show announcements remains a concern, though, with Schulz hoping the new major events fund will mean more of these shows come down under.
“I just think that’s going to take a long time to come into play, to get those kinds of contracts or deals made. I’m sure they’re all talking about how that’s going to work and play out now, because these stadium shows they’re locked in, you know, years in advance.”
Over the last year, Pink, Travis Scott, Coldplay, Luke Combs, and Pearl Jam have all played stadium shows in New Zealand, but Schulz would like to see more.
“It’s great having these small shows, the arena shows, the theatre shows, and some are still going to be fun, but I think those stadium shows just give such a jolt to the cities, you know the economies, we know they do that, and they’re the things that I desperately want to see back.”
Schulz believes there is still an appetite for this type of show in New Zealand. “You can’t tell me Lady Gaga wouldn’t fill a stadium. It’s the cost of getting them over here. It’s the transport, it’s all of the setting up, the stages, the staffing, all of that stuff is so expensive.”
In September, promoter Live Nation admitted it had been a grind getting international acts to come to New Zealand and that we had fallen behind Australia.
As reported by Boiler Room, Managing Director of Live Nation in New Zealand Mark Kneebone said there was a 10-15% cost increase in putting on a show in New Zealand compared to Australia.
Despite this, Kneebone told Stuff that this summer will be “incredibly busy” for live shows.
“New Zealand is a key touring market for international acts and we’re working hard to make sure it continues to be attractive for major tours and festivals to give Kiwis access to their favourite live experiences and generate positive economic outcomes,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister for Tourism Louise Upston has been “delighted” by the interest so far in the Government’s major events package.
In a statement, she told Stuff the Government’s quarter four action plan commits to conforming the first events to be funded with the first announcements set down for the coming weeks.
Upston said these can be expected “certainly before Christmas”.