Harvest Hawke’s Bay Brings Thousands of Visitors to the Region
The fourth annual Harvest Hawke’s Bay Food & Wine Festival, taking place on Saturday, November 21st, is set to bring a significant economic boost to the region.
Once again, the event is taking place at a spectacular riverside setting beneath Te Mata Peak in the Tukituki Valley. Tickets for the picnic style venue, amidst a luscious olive grove, are strictly limited to just over 2,000 to ensure an intimate, relaxed environment for Festival goers.
Harvest Hawke’s Bay has established itself as a must-attend event on the national food and wine calendar, bringing together celebrated chefs, renowned wineries, and live music for a truly unforgettable Hawke’s Bay experience.
In line with 2025, early ticket sales indicate around 50% of this year’s attendees will be travelling to the event from outside the region. Most visitors come from Wellington, Bay of Plenty, Auckland, and Taranaki, but some travel from as far afield as Australia and even the Northern Hemisphere, says Liz Pollock, event manager of Harvest Hawke’s Bay.
“We’re delighted the event draws more than 1,000 tourists to the region each year,” says Liz. The Festival’s success is great news for Hawke’s Bay’s visitor-focused businesses.
“Major events such as Harvest Hawke’s Bay play an important role in attracting visitors outside the traditional summer peak,” says Kris Larner, Chair of Hawke's Bay Tourism Industry Association.
“The economic benefits extend well beyond the event itself, providing a valuable boost to hospitality, retail, accommodation and tourism operators, while also supporting the many local businesses and suppliers that contribute to the visitor experience.”
The Festival’s impact is welcomed by Hamish Saxton, CEO of Hawke's Bay Tourism.
“Harvest Hawke’s Bay has become a much-anticipated staple of the regional events scene, showcasing the essence of what makes our region New Zealand’s Food and Wine Country,” Hamish says.
“It’s the type of premium wine and food event that helps reinforce Hawke’s Bay’s standing as New Zealand’s premium wine destination”, says Master of Wine Mike Henley, owner of Hastings wine bar Cellar 495.
“We are always keen to participate in the event as it shows a different side to Cellar 495 away from the restaurant as well as increasing our exposure to people who may not already know about us,” Mike says.
“The influx of visitors travelling to the region for this specific event makes it a fantastic way for us and the region to showcase our amazing food and wine offerings. Hopefully this makes people come back more often,” he adds.
As with previous Festivals, Liz says this year’s stellar lineup of exhibitors represents a fantastic mix of the region’s larger, well-known producers alongside some exciting boutique and emerging names in wine and food.
18 Hawke’s Bay Wineries
This year’s 18 participating wineries are: Alchemy Wines, Askerne Estate, Ash Ridge Wines, Black Barn Winery, Brookfields Vineyards, Chateau Garage, Collaboration Wines, Decibel Wines, Easthope Wines, Maison Noire, Oak Estate Wines, Paritua Wines, Radburnd Cellars, Shed 530, Smith & Sheth, Swift Wines, Trinity Hill Winery, and Village Vineyards.
Alongside the wineries, a lineup of ten of the region’s outstanding restaurants and eateries will be offering up some of their signature dishes, showcasing local ingredients. They are: Black Barn Bistro, Casa Ahuriri, Cellar 495, Long Island Deli, Malo, Mister D's, Rasoi, Restaurant Ari, Roam, and Tu Meke Don.
Premium beer lovers are also in for a treat, with local favourite Brave Brewing Co returning this year, bringing a standout lineup of its award-winning brews.
With tickets strictly limited, and last year’s Festival selling out well ahead of time, Liz is urging foodies and wine lovers not to leave their decision to attend until the last minute if they want to avoid disappointment.
Everything about Harvest Hawke’s Bay is designed to take the stress out of attending. A regional shuttle service is available from Havelock North, Hastings and Napier to transport attendees to and from the event.
Alternatively, attendees can take advantage car parking adjacent to the Festival site. Or, for those wanting to incorporate some exercise into the day, the site is conveniently located just off one of the many local cycleways.