Hamilton the new home for Homegrown as festival organisers hail city as ‘the clear choice’

Tuesday, 6 May 2025

Jon Toogood from Shihad on the Rock Stage at Homegrown 2025.

Wellington’s loss is Hamilton’s gain as the Homegrown music festival is set to return to its roots - with the Waikato “the clear choice” in the battle to host the iconic Kiwi music extravaganza.

Festival co-director Andrew Tuck ended months of speculation by confirming on Tuesday morning that after 18 years of calling the capital home, Homegrown would be returning to Waikato.

Tuck said the festival began its life as X*Air, an extreme sports event at Claudelands, before moving to the Wellington waterfront and developing into the nationally recognised Jim Beam Homegrown.

“People said it would only last two years as New Zealand couldn’t sustain a Kiwi only music festival,” Tuck said.

Crowds at the last Wellington Homegrown, which will now call Hamilton home.

“Eighteen years on and the talent being produced is nothing short of inspirational.

Andrew Tuck, managing director of Homegrown Events, said Hamilton was the ‘clear choice’ as the new home for the event.

“Returning to Waikato is not just about nostalgia, it’s about creating something that celebrates our roots and gives back to the region that inspired us,” Tuck said.

“We want the whole of Aotearoa to feel proud of this festival, and we are committed to making it unforgettable.”

Tuck told the Waikato Times a number of other cities presented compelling proposals, but “Hamilton’s unique charm and cultural significance made it the clear choice”.

Tuck said Dunedin ran Hamilton closest.

“Dunedin put together a really good package and really, really wanted it,” he said.

Tuck also said he wanted to thank the cities that submitted proposals, noting the process showcased “the incredible diversity and beauty of New Zealand”.

Shepherds Reign perform in Wellington at Homegrown in March.

Hamilton’s attractions as a venue, however, won out in the end.

“Accessibility is key for Homegrown,” he said.

“We want as many people as possible to experience this celebration of Aotearoa’s talent and culture. Being close to such a large population makes this dream even more achievable.”

Tuck said Hamilton’s vibrancy, and its position as New Zealand’s fastest-growing city, offered the festival potential to expand and evolve while staying true to its roots.

“Hamilton’s unique charm and cultural significance made it the clear choice,” he said.

Kora get the crowd started at 2024 Homegrown.

“Just a short journey from the Bay of Plenty, Auckland, Coromandel, and the King Country - makes it accessible for a wide range of attendees eager to enjoy Aotearoa’s finest musical acts.”

Tuck also said the choice of Hamilton’s Claudelands Oval represented something of a homecoming for both himself and fellow festival director Michael Lamusse as it’s the region they both “proudly call home”.

Tuck said they had already begun the process of booking artists for the Hamilton Homegrown, scheduled for March 14 next year, and said they would begin announcing performers in September.

He also said they were looking forward to inviting festival goers to “the next chapter”.

Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate said flights to and from Australia will be well established when Homegrown kicks off in March.

“The team is excited to continue its legacy celebrating New Zealand’s music scene, while giving back to the Waikato region that first inspired it all.”

The event is expected to be a major economic boon to the host city and Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate welcomed news the festival was coming.

“It is very exciting to see Jim Bean Homegrown back in Hamilton where it first began,” she said.

“Our city is fantastic at hosting big events at our first-class venues. Locals and visitors alike will love it and it is great news for our businesses. Our unbeatable location also means that it will be easily accessible for kiwis and international tourists, with direct flights to Aussie starting in June.”

News Hamilton is set to be the home for the festival was also welcomed by Hamilton City Council deputy chief executive Sean Murray, who said they were always looking for ways to make the city more attractive for event partners.

“There’s so much happening in Hamilton and it’s exciting to have Jim Beam Homegrown locked in,” he said.

“We have the benefit of being the hub of the Waikato and this is a win for the whole upper North Island.

“We’ve proven we can deliver big events and are ready and excited to make this new era of the festival unforgettable.”

Tickets are already on sale for the Hamilton event at www.homegrown.net.nz.