What to Expect at Kiwiburn NZ — The Ultimate Guide for Festival Fashion & Cold-Weather Magic

A detailed look into New Zealand’s premier regional burner experience — with tips on weather, travel, culture, and how to stay warm and expressive.

Nestled among New Zealand’s picturesque landscapes, Kiwiburn channels Burning Man culture into vibrant art, radical inclusion, and self-expression profoundly influenced by local Kiwi spirit. Whether you’re a globe-trotting Burner or a style-seeking festival lover, Kiwiburn offers creative play with a breathtaking natural backdrop.

But the weather can be mood-shifting — chilly mornings, sudden bursts of sun, cool nights — meaning you’ll want gear and layers that keep you comfortable while giving you room to play, experiment, and express who you are.

About Kiwiburn

Kiwiburn is one of the southern hemisphere’s premier regional burner festivals. Located in Hunterville, Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand Like Burning Man, it’s guided by 10 principles, emphasizing community, gifting, and creative self-expression. But unlike the Nevada desert, NZ brings its own personality — coastal winds, rolling hills, and unpredictable seasonal shifts.  The event takes place on the paddock which means open farm fields, generally flat grassland which can become dry & dusty in the summer.  This year the event will take place Jan 21-26, 2026. Tickets cost $300.  

Kiwiburn will be held at 136 Cooks Rd, Hunterville. This site is approximately 190kms from Wellington and 460kms from Auckland, with the closest large regional centre being Palmerston North.

Theme

Like Burning Man the Kiwiburn has a new theme every year.  

“A Work of Heart” 2026
At its core, Kiwiburn is community. Together, we build more than an event — we create magic. Every contribution, big or small, adds to the ever-growing legacy of this extraordinary burn.

Kiwiburn isn’t just a party in a paddock. It’s a living, breathing labour of love, shaped by volunteers, artists, theme camps, and dreamers who turn the dust into something unforgettable. Year after year, countless people give their time, energy, and creativity to make it happen.

This is what makes Kiwiburn special — it’s crafted, shared, and held together by heart. So say it loud: Love your Burn!

Travel & Weather Tips

Kiwiburn weather changes fast — scorching days, chilly nights, and the odd rain burst. Expect temperatures from around 35°C/95°F down to 10°C/50°F. Winds can be strong, so secure your tent and shade well. Pack layers you can add or shed, warm sleep gear, solid sun protection, and plenty of water. The weather is usually kind, but be ready for anything.

Climate:

• Summer in NZ: cool mornings and evenings
• Sea breezes: sometimes chilly even midday
• Layering is non-negotiable

You’ll want outfits that transition:
🌤 sheer & airy by day
❄️ warm & expressive by night

Camping

What’s a Theme Camp?
It’s a camp created by participants to share something interactive, playful, or meaningful with the community. They pop up all across the paddock and help shape the spirit of the burn.

If you’re planning one, register early so we can place you properly and include you in the Event Guide.

You don’t have to join a Theme Camp to have an amazing burn. Kiwiburn is small and social, so solo campers and small crews still find plenty of connection and fun.
Got an idea for a camp? Go for it. The Facebook group is a great place to test the idea and gather people.

If you’re hoping to join an existing camp, reach out before the event — most camps like to meet their members ahead of time and may have limited space. You can browse registered camps on the Kiwiburn website or forum.

Community & Culture

Kiwiburn 2025 is growing — tlast year’s participant limit is 2,450.  Kiwiburn thrives on creativity — do-it-yourself art, music, small camps, and connection. Warmth is both functional and social — gathered around fires, sharing meals, expressing with motion and light.

Music/ Entertainment

Wondering what’s the lineup this year?
Easy: you are. Kiwiburn runs on participation, not headliners, so everyone who plays, mixes, sings, or makes noise does it because they want to share their magic. Expect everything from dusty DJ sets to live jams popping up on theme camp stages and at Centre Camp.

Curious about what you might hear? Check out theme camps’ socials or their registrations on the Kiwiburn site — they usually drop hints.

Got a sound or artist you want to bring into the dust? Start a camp, gather your crew, and make it happen.

What to Pack

Kiwiburn is all about radical self-reliance, so you’ll need to bring everything required to keep yourself fed, sheltered, and safe — and then a little extra for good measure. Some people pack light, others bring half their house, but the basics are non-negotiable: water, food, and solid shelter. If Gate crews think you’re under-prepared, you may be asked to regroup before coming in. Give the Survival Guide a good read, prep smart, and once your essentials are sorted, the rest of your Burn is yours to shape. We’ve put together a handy list of recommended items to help you get started.

Key Items to Bring:

✔ Provisions- enough food & water * portable drinking vessel

✔ Cooking stove & supplies
✔ Camp Gear (tent, camper, caravan), warm bedding, and something to provide shade and shelter during the day – the winds can exceed 75 kph, and the midday temperature can exceed 30°C. 

✔ Strong tent stakes
✔ Sunscreen & bugspray

✔Lights/ LEDS: headlamps/ fairy lights. Light your camp & yourself
✔First aid kit, earplugs, chapstick

 

✔Tools, duct tape, rope, sewing kit

✔ Watertight protective bags for clothing, cameras or electronic gear. 

✔ Gifts for gifting

Do Not Bring:

• Pets
• Explosives
• Glass containers
• Feathers & glitter
• Excess packages from food, etc
• single use glow sticks
• Anything that will break and/ or blow in the wind.

 

• Fans
• Parasol / umbrella
• Sunglasses
• Hats
• Jewelry
• Face/body paint
• Water bottles
• Flowtoys
• Light up accessories
• musical instruments 

 

Style & Function on the Playa

At Kiwiburn, your style tells a story — but the elements write the conditions.

Kiwiburn style is all about expression and comfort. Pack layers you can mix and match: warm thermals for chilly mornings, breathable tops for the heat, and something cozy for late-night wanderings. Add pieces that are fun and functional — faux-fur coats, capes, utility belts, goggles, scarves, and sturdy boots. Costumes, body paint, sequins, mesh, glow accessories, and anything DIY are all welcome. Choose items you can move, dance, sweat, and nap in.

Furrocious Furr Coats

Bring:

• Warm clothing for evening.  It can get really cold.
• Warm faux fur coats that double as expression pieces
• Vests + hoodies that make bold statements under lights
• Adaptable layers that shift with clouds and breeze, Light but warm mid-layers
• Rain proof clothing
• Comfortable boots with warm socks
• Costumes- the more creative the better
• LED clothing & accessories.  Find your friends easily in the dark.

Furrocious Furr Coats

High-quality faux fur is a Kiwiburn must-have—soft, warm, and perfect for layering in unpredictable weather. Even better? Light-up faux fur! LED trims and glowing panels turn your coat, scarf, or hat into a moving beacon of creativity at night. It keeps you cozy, helps you stand out, and adds a playful, glowing touch to the nighttime Burn magic.

NZ temperatures can dip quickly at night — and community-style warmth becomes shared joy.

 

All in All

From sunrise hills to late-night light circles, Kiwiburn is a festival where weather becomes part of the experience. Dress smart + express boldly — and you’ll stay comfortable and unforgettable.

**Peter Jennings photography