Safety & behaviour
Is Afterglow a safe festival?+
Afterglow is committed to being a safe, inclusive event for all to enjoy. No irresponsible drinking, intoxication, drug use, or offensive behaviour will be tolerated. We withhold the right to immediately remove anyone from the festival with their wristband removed if we deem them to be breaking this.
Are we allowed to smoke?+
No smoking or vaping in main areas — please go to the designated zone to be respectful of other festival goers.
Will there be passouts?+
There will be NO pass outs — this includes returning to your car. This is a licensing condition for the event to go ahead. Please make sure you pack everything you need for the day. Only emergency service personnel responding to an incident can leave and return.
On-site
Will there be free water?+
Yes! Water stations are on site. Please use reusable plastic bottles or cups — no metal or glass allowed.
What can I bring?+
Cash, card, sunscreen, empty unopened plastic bottles to reuse (help us limit the waste), small bags (expect a search at the gate), cameras (not professional ones — we have accredited media), small umbrellas, and small chairs lower than 10cm (must be placed at the back of the field). No hydration packs.
What can I NOT bring?+
Please do not bring: weapons of any kind, drugs or drug paraphernalia, gang paraphernalia, flammable items or fireworks, glass bottles, BYO alcohol (strictly prohibited), hydration packs, aerosol sprays, pre-packaged food or drink, drones, beach umbrellas or pop-up shelters, tents or sleeping bags, professional cameras, selfie sticks or tripods, air horns, or musical instruments (unless officially performing).
Is there parking on site?+
Yes, there is parking on site. Once you have parked you will not be allowed a pass-out to return to your car, so please get everything you need before entering the festival. Instructions on parking will be provided closer to the event.
What happens with lost property?+
Lost items will be held at festival HQ for 24 hours after the festival. After that they will be taken back to Auckland for one week before being disposed of or handed to police if the item is of high value.
Children & accessibility
Are under 18s allowed?+
Yes — children and youth are welcome. A GA U16 ticket covers ages 5–15. Children under 5 are free but still require a GA U5 ticket for allocation purposes. You will need to show ID at the gate. Child tickets must be purchased with an adult ticket. Under 18s are prohibited from consuming alcohol. There is a Kidzone playground on site for children only.
Is the festival accessible for wheelchair users?+
Wheelchair users are more than welcome. Please note this is an un-level field so you may require assistance from a friend to get around. Accessible parking is available — please make parking staff aware and they will direct you accordingly.
Weather & sustainability
What if the weather is bad?+
We have a rain date should the festival not be able to safely go ahead on the scheduled day. We will announce this decision with as much notice as possible on all social media pages, our website, and via email to all ticket holders.
What is Afterglow doing about sustainability?+
We use recyclable plates, cutlery, and cups, and have multiple clearly labelled waste stations. We work with the Aotea Community Recycling Centre (ACRC) and local waste contractors for proper collection and sorting. A comprehensive Leave No Trace clean-up plan is in place. If you see rubbish, please help us protect the land and place it in a bin — or let a crew member know if bins are full.
Getting to the island
How do we get to the island?+
You can come over via ferry with SeaLink, by plane with Barrier Air (grab a discount code when you buy your tickets!), Island Aviation, private charter, or your own boat. Anchorage bans have been lifted in Blind Bay, Whangaparapara, and Port Fitzroy.
Is there camping on site?+
No, there is no camping on site. Accommodation available on the island includes holiday rentals (e.g. Airbnb, Bookabach), motels, and DOC camp sites. For more info visit greatbarrierislandtourism.co.nz.
