History
Splore was born when a group of enthusiastic, slightly mad and a tad naive group of friends from Orkland decided to create a New Years Eve Festival of its own flavour in 1998/99. With extraordinary gusto off they went to find the ultimate festival site - surely with so much land in NZ it would be a piece of cake? Not so, and it was only with lady luck and a well connected local fella were we offered the wild and wonderful west coast site above Karioatahi Beach four weeks out from NYE, this mothership site was the new home of Splore, Despite the low-key, word of mouth nature more than 1000 people turned up to enjoy two zones of music and a kick arse party. Acknowledgement and respect must go to the following people who were the foundation crew behind the birth of Splore:- J'me and Anne, Pete and Nicole, Rosie, Mikeyray, Gareth, Jeremy, Callum, Compound crew, Cyberculture, Debs and Sid, Spike, Leon, Amanda, Tarja, Pip, Scott, Scott, Margo and Tai, Malcom and KP's Bar & Grill.
Following on Amanda Wright, Morgan Sibbald and Alan Green were the driving force behind making Splore happen again in 2000 and 2001. With the event developing each year a more eclectic line up of music, more zones, the creation of an onsite bar and restaurant complex and an ever-broadening diversity of art and performance were on offer. 2001 was also the beginning of Splore’s relationship with The British Council, which supplied UK artists to the event and cemented Splore’s place as a fixture on the international festival circuit.
For the 2002 event a new venue was needed to accommodate Splore’s growing audience, and the Waharau Regional Park, just north of Miranda on the Thames Coast was selected after careful negotiation with Auckland Regional Council. The park, with its treelined reserves, fresh flowing rivers, abundant sheltered camping space and spectacular coastal views was the perfect venue for Splore, and its new home for the next two Splores.
With the new venue in place, Splore 2002 was expanded further. Connections made by the Splore organisers at the Burning Man Festival (Nevada, USA) led to performers from the United States being added to the lineup. A geodesic dome was imported from the US along with the unique circus troupe El Circo. Crowds were also struck by a stunning performance by ‘Lightning Rider’, an artist operating a tesla coil that allowed him to shoot bolts of lightning from his fingertips and metal wand. In addition, classical Indian musicians performed alongside UK producer Tom Bailey, a sculpture symposium funded by the Auckland Regional Council attracted dozens of artists, and an interactive art trail was developed. The British Council workshop zone was set up to give audiences a chance to develop new skills and gain knowledge from members of the creative community.All of this activity took place amongst a huge lineup of local DJ’s, producers and performers. Up to 2500 people came, stayed and loved every minute of a 50 hour marathon of cultural excellence.
It was at this point that Splore organisers chose to make the festival biennale with the next festival being staged at Waharau in March 2004. It was fortunate that the festival was held post the wettest February in NZ history and an amazing weekend was had by the 2500 people who attended - unfortunately not enough people attended and Splore was on the brink of imploding.
Festival Director Amanda Wright put out a SOS for Splore to the right people and a new business partner (John Minty) was found who recognised the vision and saw the potential. It was time to take Splore to the next level and really make this festival tick.The Splore Trust was also established as a creative think tank and body to help raise funds for artists and site specific projects. Creative New Zealand finally acknowledged us and gave us funding and a great collective of amazing people came together and made Splore 06 the success it was.
Stunning weather, an outstanding line up of music and art, a sell out crowd and the ultimate festival site made Splore 06 one of NZ's best summer festivals. Hugest gratitude and thanks to all artists, participants, crew, sponsors and attendees for contributing to it all...
Splore 06 line up included:
LIVE ACTS: Talib Kweli and Jean Grae (NYC), Hexstatic (UK), The Cuban Brothers (UK), The Nextmen (UK), Fort Knox Five (USA), Pitch Black, Fat Freddy's Drop, Kora, Sola Rosa, Little Bushman, Hollie Smith, Module, Rhian Sheehan, Whirimako Black and Russell Walder, Ladi 6, Goldenhorse, Ddub, Olmecha Supreme, Max Maxwell and Carmel Courtney,
The Nomad & Imon Starr
DJ'S: Dylan C, Tobi, Gwaan Girl, Dubhead, Turnaround DJ's, Mikeyray, Bobby Brazuka, Duncan, Dan Clarke, Paddy Free, Stinky Jim, Jason Eli, Philippa, Baitercell and Bex Reilly, Sam E, Spikey Tee, Nick D, J'me, Max Maxwell, Junior
