The Whakatipu Music Festival celebrates music in all its many forms, bringing together New Zealand’s outstanding emerging artists and leading professional musicians, together with local performers, grassroots music initiatives and dedicated local and national educators.

The festival had over six days of concerts, public talks and workshops, 25 performances by local and New Zealand’s top classical, jazz and taonga puoro musicians, 148 musicians participated, 700 safe live attendances (in a COVID-19 red traffic light setting) and 21,000 livestream views.

Twelve of New Zealand’s most talented and promising musicians, who, were it not for Covid, would normally be offshore representing New Zealand in competitions and major events, were auditioned and selected to participate in the festival’s Young Artist Programme receiving coaching, essential career development, and performance opportunities.