Frequently Asked Questions

There’s some questions that keep popping up, so we’ve assembled them all into a lovely little page for your perusal. Have a read through here to answer your heart’s most burning questions about all things Kiwiburn.

Getting to the Event

What is Kiwiburn?

Kiwiburn is New Zealand’s Regional Burning Man festival, styled after the Burning Man event held in America but with its own unique atmosphere and ethos. Kiwiburn includes performance, music and visual arts, limited only by the imagination of the participants. If you wish to truly understand and comprehend Kiwiburn, you need to attend the event – it’s unlike anything you’ve ever experienced!

What are the dates for the event?

Kiwiburn 2024 will be held from 24 to 29 January. 

Does the event sell out, or have a limit in size?

As of 2022, tickets in the general sale are available for purchase via a lottery in order to avoid the how-fast-is-your-browser situation of previous years.  The numbers for the 2023 are capped at the same level as the cancelled 2022 event at 2300, however the event is still heavily oversubscribed generally.

The 2021 event was capped at 2,000 participants, and sold out in 56 minutes. All tickets were allocated to shopping carts within just ten seconds!

The 2020 event was capped at 2000, and all tickets were allocated in three minutes (sold out in 46 minutes).

The 2018 event was capped at 1800, and sold out in less than 2 days.

Tickets for the 2017 event sold out in six days, and 2016 took a few months.

After tickets sell out, we open up the Secure Ticket Exchange Program (STEP), which allows people to safely and securely buy/sell their Kiwiburn tickets.

What is this years theme?

The theme for 2024 will be: DECADANCE

“It’s been 20 years since the first Kiwiburn. It’s been 10 years since our first Burn in Hunterville. We’ve danced through the decades as if they were a fire labyrinth – let’s keep that dance going into the future!

Decadance is a mashup of decades and dancing, and is a callback to early Kiwiburn art themes such as Megamorphosis and Elementality. We’re dancing through the decades like we dance through a fire labyrinth. Kiwiburn changes, but we’ll keep dancing on into the future.

Decadance is a play on decades, dance, and decadence. I think people can take any of those concepts and run with them. It’ll be interesting to see the result!”

How do I volunteer?

Yes! We have a live one! Check out our Volunteer page to see what’s up!

If you’re interested in Volunteering throughout the year, take a look at our Volunteer Opportunities page. We need volunteers for all kinds of year-round positions, from the Media Subcommittee to Accounting and beyond!

If you want to Volunteer but it’s a bit too late to sign up, you can find the volunteer coordinator on site – but we prefer you make contact in advance because that helps us to be organised.

How can we tell people have a ticket / have paid?

Kiwiburn’s Gate crew issue everyone with wristbands to help create a safe event for the community. If you see people onsite without a wristband, please let the nearest on-duty volunteer know.

Can I get in free by volunteering?

No. Unlike many other festivals, Kiwiburn is an entirely volunteer-driven, participatory event. Because of this, everyone, including volunteers and the organising committee, buys a ticket for the event. Kiwiburn is non-profit, and all the ticket money goes into a pool to pay the expenses of the event, such as Art Grants, toilets and infrastructure. Read more here.

The Kiwiburn community can often help out with rides, floors to sleep on and other help, especially if you’re coming a long way. If you’re making art for Kiwiburn, there is an Art Grants programme that can help with expenses.

When do I need to be offsite after the festival?

All participants must be offsite by 1pm on the last day of the event, typically a Monday (30 January for 2023).

What is the policy on taking pictures?

We love it when people take photos of our event, but please make sure you are sensitive about other people’s boundaries. That naked person running around the fire may well be a tax accountant who doesn’t want to be tagged on Facebook for employers and family members to see. Don’t publicly share any sensitive photos, unless you have expressed permission to do so. Not sure if it’s a good time to take photos? Just ask. Consent is key! Brand new in 2024 will be the distribution of Yellow Rubber wristbands that indicate that the wearer is comfortable with photography, so look out for those and err on the side of caution. It is still best to ask of course. 

Commercial use of all imagery taken at Kiwiburn is forbidden without expressed permission. All professional photographers with intent to receive compensation for a Kiwiburn image including editorial or gallery must check in with the organisers. Pre- or post-event, photographers should email our Photography Liaison for information and permission.

ALL motion-capturing video and film cameras must be registered, whether for personal or professional purposes. There is no filming without expressed permission. Read more on consent here, and read our Photography and Video policy here.

Can I bring my dog?

NO! Absolutely not. There are many reasons why you can’t bring animals of any kind to Kiwiburn:

Our agreement with the site owner forbids animals.
New Zealand has a unique ecosystem with no native mammals. Introduced animals can chase and kill birds and damage plants.
Pets are prone to responding adversely to loud noises, huge sound systems, explosions, fireworks and crazy costumed people.
Kiwiburn is surrounded by fields with farm animals – these can be harmed by pets. Farmers are entitled to shoot animals that are disturbing their stock.
Participants with animals will be turned round at the gate. There are a number of kennels around most New Zealand cities than can look after your pet during the event – making a booking early is recommended.

How do I get around from camp to camp?

Kiwiburn is a pedestrian-friendly village that is easy to navigate with a bicycle or on foot. We encourage you to decorate your transportation. You may not drive your car at the event. This is a serious safety issue – moving cars create dust and we have little room for people to drive. Please recognise the importance of this rule. The sole exception to the no-driving rule are official cars, art cars and mutant vehicles, which must have been pre-registered and have a safety plan.

How will I find my friends once I arrive?

The Kiwiburn site is small and friendly enough that you should find your friends really easily. Or maybe find some different friends, as well (or instead!).

If you do need help finding your friends, especially if it’s dark, here are some suggestions:

  • There may be mobile coverage. However, many people choose to turn their phones off during the event.
  • There will be a whiteboard at Centre Camp to leave messages on.
  • You can also leave messages at the Greeter Station. Or, even better, volunteer for Greeters and be there when your friends arrive!
  • If they are involved with a Theme Camp, you can find them located on the map at either the Depot or Artery.
I have a family member that is ill, and I may need to be contacted in the event of an emergency, what can I tell them to do to reach me?

We’d suggest in this case that you do get a mobile phone and leave it switched on, or check in with your family.

Why was Kiwiburn 2022 cancelled?

This was not an easy decision and there were a number of factors that influenced this outcome:

  • Hunterville falls within the Whanganui DHB area, which at the time of the decision was in red under the new traffic light system. Various projections do not predict this DHB reaching the 90% double vaccine target before the middle/end of January. No event above 100 people can be held in a red zone as rules stand currently.
  • The local iwi Ngāti Hauiti expressed some concerns about Kiwiburn going ahead. The influx of 2300 people from all over the country poses an ethical question as it inevitably increases chances of exposure to the Hunterville area.
  • There is an enormous amount of time, energy and money that goes into preparations in the last two months for everyone, so it was felt that cancelling now rather than in 2-4 weeks was preferable. 
  • While recently announced government grants could be used to recover some event costs, Theme Camps would not have access to this and ExCom felt it was unfair to expect participants to keep spending at their own risk while organisational costs could be covered.
  • There have been significant issues sourcing portaloos due to shortages caused by high demand in the construction industry. 

Read more detail on the decision in our official cancellation announcement.

    Where is Kiwiburn being held this year?

    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. Please see the Location page for directions and information on local resources.

    Are the gates to the event open 24 hours?

    The gates into the site will be open:

    Wednesday: 8am – 10pm
    Thursday: 10am – 8pm
    Friday: 10am – 8pm
    Saturday: 10am – 12pm (midday, final entry)
    Sunday: CLOSED

    We’d suggest that you plan to arrive as early as possible to fully enjoy the event.

    Monday: EXODUS – all participants must be offsite by 1pm.

    Will I be able to leave and return to the event?

    While leaving the Paddock during the event and returning to the default world will probably be the last thing on your mind, In & Out passes are available at Site Office for $20 per person. If you leave without receiving a pass, you will not be able to return. You can leave at any time (as long as you are not driving on the paddock after dark) but you can only re-enter during Gate open hours.

    Can I turn up early?

    Kiwiburn is held on private land. As such, we ask that you notify our Art and Theme Camp Coordinator during registration if you need to arrive onsite prior to the event to set up. Please do not be offended if your request is refused! Before the event opens, the site is still a construction area – it’s important that we maintain safety while we are still setting up our infrastructure.

    Where is the closest airport?

    The nearest domestic airport is just North of Palmerston North (60km). Wellington Airport is about 190km drive.

    Auckland is the only airport in New Zealand with direct services to the US and other intercontinental destinations.

    If you have a personal aircraft, then, wow! We’d very much doubt there’s room for a fixed wing aircraft, but floatplanes, helicopters, hot-air balloons and Harrier JumpJets might be able to land. Contact us and the CAA, and we’ll try and make it happen.

    I don’t have a car. How can I get to Kiwiburn?

    There are a whole range of options:

    • Post on the Rideshare group on Facebook or use the Rideshare Matchmaking service. Lots of burners are looking for people to share a vehicle and we encourage this to save on energy and emissions.
      To use Rideshare Matchmaking:
      →If you are SEEKING a ride, fill out this form: https://airtable.com/shreOPZWJq8b46bSy.
      →If you are OFFERING a ride, fill out this other form: https://airtable.com/shr2IrOYtKQk7Zx6x.
      →If you have any questions, you can email rideshare@kiwiburn.com
    • Join one of the Kiwiburn volunteer teams. We love our volunteers, especially those from overseas, and can often sort people out with transport.
    • Join a Theme Camp. A lot of camps will organise carpools for their members.
    • There are affordable, regular bus services to Hunterville. See the Naked Bus page or the Intercity Coachlines website for details.
    • Rent a car. You might be able to combine with others to fill a rental.
    Where is a good place to get food/fuel/water/weird kinky stuff/BEER?

    Hunterville is around 10kms from the site, where you can find a 4 Square, BP Service Station, and numerous other small businesses like cafes and pubs, and some that cater for clothing/costumes and unusual accessories. 

    We encourage you to do as much of your shopping as you can in the local Rangitīkei district. It’s one way of thanking the community for having us – and it also saves you lots of leg-room on the journey there! The Rangitīkei District Council have put together an awesome resource just for Kiwiburners, filled with information about local businesses that may be of use to you on your way to and from Kiwiburn. This includes food and drink shops, op shops, building supplies, knick knacks, laundromats, and more. Check out the Kiwiburners’ Guide to the Rangitīkei.

    Alternatively, Palmerston North is about 70kms drive away, and Wellington is the nearest large city, 190kms away. Asking on the Kiwiburn Facebook group may also help in meeting your requirements.

    At the Festival

    What can I buy once I get there?

    Kiwiburn is a commerce-free event. You can buy ice at The Depot during its opening hours for around $6 a bag. Nothing else is sold on the Paddock. You need to bring ALL supplies, food, water and tools you will need for a week’s camping. No food or sundry items are sold anywhere on the Paddock. A filling station for drinking water only will be situated near Depot. If you forget something vital, your best bet is to make friends with your neighbours. If you really need something, you can leave and re-enter Kiwiburn for a $20 fee per person.

    What night does the Man burn?

    Some quick semantics, I hope you’re hungry for details!

    At Kiwiburn, we don’t have a Man as such. Never fear – we still build a huge thing and burn it. But it’s not always a Man, like our friends in Nevada. We call it the Effigy. In the past we’ve featured a robot, a minotaur, and so many more.

    What will it be this year, I wonder? You’ll have to come and see. Whatever it is, it burns on Saturday after sunset (followed on Sunday night by the Temple burn).

    I have some handmade crafts that I’d like to sell in order to cover my travel costs. Where can I set this up?

    Kiwiburn has survived and flourished through sharing, trading and the giving of the gift of yourself. We have found the buying and selling of goods is a distraction to connecting and creating relationships. Selling is a transaction-based activity. There is NO VENDING at Kiwiburn. Participants who are found vending will be asked to leave.

    I’d like to play on the main stage, how can I get there?

    There is no Main Stage at Kiwiburn. We have Centre Camp which provides a space for performance art and music. This will have a limited PA facility. See the Centre Camp coordinator to schedule a performance slot.

    Many Theme Camps feature music and performance – if you would like to play music or DJ, for instance, then make contact with the camp organisers, who are usually happy to get new members.

    You can also set up your own performance based theme camp.

    What about amplified music at Kiwiburn?

    Many Kiwiburn participants enjoy amplified music. Use of amplified music needs to take place with consideration for other campers and for the community outside the Kiwiburn perimeter. Because of this, we place large scale sound camps in dedicated areas, and have a quiet zone as far as possible from these areas. If you use an amplified audio system at your camp, the volume must be held to reasonable levels. Speakers must be elevated off the ground, and backed by a truck, camper or anything large and solid enough to prevent the sound from traveling backwards. If a problem with sound levels continues after sufficient requests and warnings, the source of power for such device or system will be disabled.
    The hum of generators can become annoying over a long period of time. Please keep your neighbours in mind. We recommend generators that are sound insulated. Do NOT dig a trench to sound-insulate your generator – enclose it in a wooden box. High volume sound (greater than 90db at 30m distance) is only permitted in registered sound camps in the sound art zone. As a guideline, sound systems should not exceed 70 dBs at 10m a 180 degrees off-axis from the speakers. Speakers must be directed away from the main camping zones. If we receive noise complaints from the neighbours, you may be asked to turn it down. In the quiet camping zone, noise must be kept at a minimum. Musical instruments or stereos cannot be played there at night, and conversation should be kept to a minimum.

    What’s the line up this year?

    You are! Kiwiburn is a participant driven event. Everyone who performs at Kiwiburn does so as a participant, and there are no paid or booked performers. Based on previous years, there will be a range of DJs and musicians playing on theme camp stages and at Centre Camp.

    If you want an idea of who’s playing or what styles of music are being featured, many of the Theme Camps have web or Facebook pages, or check out the registrations on the Kiwiburn website.

    If you have a musical style you’d like featured, or a performer you want to see – think about starting a theme camp and persuading your favourite artist to come to Kiwiburn.

    Camping & Amenities

    How is the event laid out?

    As soon as you pass through the Gate, you’re at Kiwiburn! Certain fields are designated quiet areas, while others are for sound camps. The area around the Centre Camp is the core of Kiwiburn and has a lot of daytime activity. Check the map here for this year’s layout!

    Can I reserve a campsite?

    Registered Theme Camps will get placement in an appropriate position. Other camping is first-come first-served. Come early if you need space to add friends, but don’t grab more land than you need!

    Can I camp next to my car?

    No. During daylight hours, cars may be driven across the paddocks to unload gear, however, they then need to be moved back to the parking area. They may not be kept on the paddock as storage units, even for theme camps. This will be monitored closely by the parking team. The idea behind this is to unclutter the paddock as much as possible and allow more room for camping (and fun!).

    Vehicles that are being slept in may stay on the paddock in camping and theme camp areas. Please note that sleeping vehicles are likely to be blocked in during the event, so park in the designated parking paddock if you need to leave before 10am Monday.

    There is to be no driving on the paddock after dark. People who arrive after dark will be asked to park up immediately and carry gear to camping spots. There will be a camping spot next to parking for people who want to camp up for the night and then move the next day.

    Note: Sunset is around 8:40pm and Gate closes at 10pm on Wednesday 

    Full details are available here: https://kiwiburn.com/about/the-organisation/policies/parking-policy/

     

    Is there a quiet place to camp?

    Kiwiburn is alive 24 hours a day, and much activity takes place at night. We ask that each person respect their neighbour. If you are fond of quiet for sleeping, we recommend earplugs. There is a quiet zone where you can camp if you prefer, but we can’t guarantee silence.

    The community, especially large sound camps do have guidelines to follow. Read the Sound Policy here.

    Can I drive on the Paddock? How can I get to my campsite?

    There is to be no driving on the paddock after dark. People who arrive after dark will be asked to park up immediately and carry gear to camping spots. There will be a camping spot next to parking for people who want to camp up for the night and then move the next day.

    During daylight hours, cars may be driven across the paddocks to unload gear, however, they then need to be moved back to the parking area. They may not be kept on the paddock as storage units, even for theme camps. This will be monitored closely by the parking team. The idea behind this is to unclutter the paddock as much as possible and allow more room for camping (and fun!).

    Vehicles that are being slept in may stay on the paddock in camping and theme camp areas.

    The parking team is working hard to ensure that we fit maximum cars into the parking area without anyone being parked in. Please follow the parking instructions and park thoughtfully. If you come in on Friday or Saturday you are expected to be able to follow the system and park sensibly on your own in the designated area.

    What is the policy with regard to Recreational Vehicles (RVs)?

    RVs are fine. Remember, this is wilderness camping and there are no hookups. Do not discharge gray water or sewage. There is no servicing, so make sure you are set up to free camp for the time you’ll be at the event. Note that unlike other events, Kiwiburn doesn’t really “stress” vehicles so RV rental companies should have no problems with you coming to us, provided you leave the van in a reasonable state. Also, note that in New Zealand you can rent basic “camper vans” as well as full-size RVs. These have no plumbing, etc, but are way cheaper!

    Is there any place to hook up my RV

    No. You need to treat Kiwiburn as free camping, provide all services that you need and haul all waste away.

    What should I bring?

    Thank you for asking the million-dollar question. Kiwiburn is an exercise in radical self-sufficiency. You have to bring all you need to survive, and then some. Some people bring only the basics; others bring everything including the kitchen sink.

    Water, food and shelter are imperative — you will be asked to turn around at the Gate if Gate personnel believe you cannot meet your basic survival needs. Carefully read the Survival Guide (PDF) and prepare accordingly.

    After you have taken care of your survival, everything else is up to you. We’ve assembled a handy list of items that we recommend you bring.

    Is there drinking water onsite?

    Radical self-reliance means participants are responsible for their own water supply. However, for the first time in 2023, Kiwiburn has made water available onsite.

    Water is a precious resource so a filling station for DRINKING WATER ONLY will be situated near Depot and only operating similar hours to fill containers of up to 20 litres per person. We ask that people don’t take water for showers or washing their bits (there is a river after all, though keep away from soap). Ensure you still bring your personal water bottles and enough water for your trip and the gate queue. Please treat this precious water with respect and also ensure that grey water wastage on the Paddock is kept to a minimum!

    Theme Camps can fill their large tanks via very long hoses during the build period in the few days prior to the Burn. Register to fill your containment at site office when you first arrive on site, we operate a 1st come 1st serve policy. There will be 5 taps running at 70 litres a minute.

    Remember to be prepared with your own supply for your other water needs (food preparation, washing, etc). Carry a bottle of water with you at all times. Coconut water or electrolytes will help keep you from being dehydrated.

    What can I expect from the weather?

    In Nevada, there is a saying: if you don’t like the weather, stick around for five minutes and it will change. Oddly enough, we have the same saying in New Zealand, only in our case it’s actually true. Summer temperatures in the Central North Island range up to 35C in the daytime and down to 10C or below at night. Rainstorms are not uncommon – we have had some rain every year at Kiwiburn, but it’s always cleared up.
    Be prepared for volatile extremes, and ready for anything and everything. Come with ample shade producing shelter, warm clothes and sleeping gear, and lots of water. Please read our Survival Guide (PDF).
    Winds up to 40km/h are quite usual, and anything up to 120km/h is possible. So are earthquakes. And supervolcanoes. You are advised to secure your tent, shade structure and loose items in preparation for this possibility. You might want to visit the Burning Man “Securing your Structure” page for valuable information about creating a weather-worthy campsite. Rebar is your best friend!
    Having said that, the weather is usually pleasant, but participants should be prepared for anything the climate can throw at them.

    What kind of facilities do you provide for those in a wheelchair?

    Put mudgrips on your wheelchair and bring an enthusiastic able-bodied assistant. There are wheelchair accessible portable toilets during the event – one near the medics, one in the middle of the lower paddock. We’d suggest you contact us in advance to discuss facilities.

    Are there toilets?

    Yes, we provide portable toilets. The toilets are serviced on a regular basis during the event. We do our very best to keep them clean and stocked with toilet paper.

    NOTHING other than human waste is to be put into a toilet. We are encouraging participants to think of the portable toilets as if they were your own home toilets. ONLY HUMAN WASTE or TOILET PAPER should go into them. At other events, numerous discarded items in portable toilets have caused tremendous problems and prevented the timely cleaning of the portable toilets. Let’s make sure this doesn’t happen at Kiwiburn!

    What about medical emergencies?

    We encourage radical self reliance and first aid kits. However, medical needs can arise. Kiwiburn contracts with a local emergency services provider. The medics are here to help and can be found near Centre Camp. If there is a serious medical emergency, and the participant cannot be moved, contact a volunteer, Security or anyone with a radio for assistance. The St John Ambulance Service provide national paramedic services in New Zealand, e.g. if a person needs to be taken to hospital. Note that like most overseas travel, those from outside New Zealand should have travel insurance to cover any medical expense. First aid treatment provided by the onsite medics is funded by Kiwiburn.

    Can we have a fire at our camp?

    No! Gas powered barbecues, stovetops and lanterns are okay though. Here’s our official Fire Safety Policy:

    Camp Fires:
    a) No camp fires are allowed unless given a special permit in advance of the event by the Health & Safety Officer.
    b) Permitted fires only. Key fire management personnel are allocated and are on duty whilst fire is lit, equipped with fire suppression equipment and a radio to communicate with Site Manager if and when required.
    c) A clear perimeter will be maintained around fire at all times.

    Fire Performers/Spinners
    a) Fire performers shall be permitted in designated areas
    b) There will be designated fire safety person during performances, and safety equipment (fire extinguisher, fire blanket) will be visable.
    c) All fuel will be clearly marked and stored appropriately.
    d) Fire suppression equipment (extinguishers, sand and water) will be on hand at all times.
    e) First aid is available from qualified medics 24/7 throughout the event.

    Burn Nights (Sat – Man Burn, Sun Temple Burn)
    a) A perimeter shall be clearly marked and staffed by designated safety crew around effigies.
    b) Local fire services will be in attendance at effigies.

    What are the guidelines for fuel safety?

    Gas bottles and any other fuel should be stored out of the sun and away from any any open flame (ie stoves), with “NO SMOKING” signs displayed prominently. Make sure you check your bottles and hoses for leaks before you head to site. Your camp should have at least one easily accessible fire extinguisher in working order for use in case of an emergency.

    Does Kiwiburn have a power grid?

    No – you need to provide your own power source, if required! If you want to share power with neighbouring camps, that’s great. If you want to help build better and greener power sources (like solar panels or wind turbines) then that would also be great!

    What about rubbish / trash disposal? Will there be rubbish bins for me to toss my rubbish into on the way out of Kiwiburn?

    NO. Nein, negatory, absolutely not under any circumstances. Did we mention that we have NO trash disposal? Leave no trace.

    You are responsible for removing all waste you bring onto the Paddock. This includes cigarette butts, boa feathers, pistachio shells and couches.

    When preparing your belongings and planning the construction of your campsite prior to arrival, keep in mind that you will have to take everything back with you.

    Separating your garbage makes it easier to get home.

    There might be a recycling camp. This will be a participant driven venture – do not rely on it!

    You must dispose of your waste properly. Do not leave trash in gas station or town facilities, it’s rude and illegal. Ideally, take your waste home, though airlines may not wish to transport week old rotten fruit.

    There are landfill/recycling sites in Hunterville, Marton and Bulls. A charge is made for waste disposal.

    Theme Camps & Art Installations

    What is a Theme Camp?

    It’s an interactive camp designed by the camp members with the intention of engaging participants. More information can be found on the Theme Camps page. Theme camps are located throughout our village. Assigned placement comes after approved advanced registration. Please register your camp in good time so we can update the theme camp list and put you in the Event Guide.

    How do I register my Theme Camp?

    Check out our Theme Camp page for the current process.

    Should I join a Theme Camp ahead of time, or when I arrive?

    It is not necessary to join a Theme Camp. Kiwiburn is small enough that you can camp independently and still meet people and participate in many fun things. If you have an idea for a Theme Camp, consider creating one yourself. The Facebook Group page is a great resource for floating an idea and organising a new camp.

    If you want to join a Theme Camp, we’d suggest making contact beforehand. Most camps like to get to know their members, and sometimes have limits on numbers. There are details of registered camps on the Kiwiburn website and on the forum.

    Can Theme Camps charge?

    Building a Theme Camp usually involves costs, which may be a few dollars or several hundred. A Theme Camp may require a financial or participatory contribution from those in the camp to cover costs and get things done. Theme Camps (and Kiwiburn as a whole) are non-commercial and all camps should be run on a not for profit basis. This isn’t considered commerce, but we’d suggest that people get the money stuff out of the way before the event.

    Are Theme Camps open to everyone?

    Theme Camps are a bit like a house party or camping trip. The members decide who they want to form their group. When Theme Camps throw events, these are nearly always open to all participants, but it may be that some camps will decide to have partly closed events. This is their choice.

    Can I create a large art installation?

    Absolutely. You can either build your installation as part of your camp, or place your art in a different part of the paddock. If you’d like to stay near your installation you may want to build it as part of your camp. You should register your art in advance to arrange placement, obtain safety approval and get your art in the Event Guide. You may also apply for an Art Grant to help fund your art.

    Can I register my vehicle as an Art Car?

    Yes – if you have modified the vehicle sufficiently for it to be considered mobile art! We will not give you a Mutant Vehicle Pass if you have simply draped a sheet over your car or put a couch on top. Show us what you can do! Please register your art car and we will send you an information pack including H&S requirements and other guidelines.

    Are there pre-assigned places for Theme Camps and art installations?

    We aim to place everyone’s Theme Camps and art in the best possible place on the Paddock, allowing for traffic, noise, safety and other factors. Therefore, it is best to register your Theme Camp, village or art installation early.

    Ticketing

    How many tickets can I buy?

    You are able to purchase a maximum of two adult tickets per Quicket account. If you only bought one ticket, you are able to go back and buy one more on your account.

    How much is a ticket for my child?

    Children aged 15 and under at the start of the festival will be admitted for free. They still require a free child’s ticket acquired in advance from Quicket. Be prepared to show proof of age at Gate. As children 15 and under are admitted free of charge, they do not become automatic members of the Kiwiburn Incorporated Society.
    Participants ages 16-18 require full-price tickets.
    All children under 18 must be accompanied by, and remain the sole responsibility of, a parent or guardian.
    If you plan to bring a child, please read more in the Kiwiburn survival guide.

    Can I get a refund on my ticket?

    Tickets are normally non-refundable. However, Quicket offers a Secure Ticket Exchange Program (STEP) making it easy to sell your ticket to someone else only once tickets have sold out. Quicket puts buyers and sellers into queues and matches them up, then they are able to sell tickets to others securely through the website. The buyer purchases a ticket at the original price, and the seller receives a full refund, minus the service fee which is non-refundable. STEP will open only after all the tickets have been sold.

    Can I transfer my ticket to someone else?

    Yes, you can transfer your ticket to someone else as long as they have a Burner Profile. Quicket will generate a new ticket with a new barcode once it has been transferred, making the original ticket invalid, which means your automatic membership of Kiwiburn Inc Society is cancelled and the new ticket holder instead becomes a Member of Kiwiburn Inc Society. Read about how to transfer your ticket here.

    Note that ticket transfers and name changes close 48 hours before the first day of the event. This is to allow enough time to run conduct checks that help keep our community safe.

    What if I want to buy a ticket to gift later?

    All tickets require a registered Burner Profile against them when the ticket is purchased, this will include completing the Annual Community Survey, which must be done each year.

    Can I bring my friend/sibling under 18?

    People under 18 must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. Exceptions will be considered on a case by case basis on written application from the parent or legal guardian to tickets@kiwiburn.com.

    Are children's tickets transferable?

    No. If your child is no longer coming to Kiwiburn, their ticket is cancelled as there is no fee associated with Children's tickets. Please advise the Ticketing Team of the names of the children whose tickets require cancelling by emailing tickets@kiwiburn.com.

    Are you selling 1-day or 2-day passes?

    Kiwiburn is an experiment in temporary community. Relationships are created, neighbours meet one another, and fun is had by all. This is not a spectator event. It is difficult for you to take a role in the community if you are on the Paddock for less than 24 hours. In order to experience the true essence of Kiwiburn, you will want to become part of the community. Therefore, there are no day passes sold, and no discounts given based on your length of stay. Of course, it is not necessary that you come for the entire event. You are welcome to stay for just a portion of the event.

    Can I buy tickets at the gate?

    No, there are no tickets available at the gate.

    I am a member of the press - how can I get a complimentary ticket?

    No complimentary tickets are available for anyone. We can arrange an hour or so guided visit for free if you contact us at media@kiwiburn.com before the event. Otherwise you will need to buy a ticket.

    My confirmation email didn’t come through

    Kiwiburn ticketing is contracted to Quicket. For any issues with your purchase, you will need to contact Quicket by email.

    Why do we need a Burner Profile?

    Everyone participating in Kiwiburn should know what the event is and what it’s not, so they’re as prepared as they can be. The Burner Profile form asks a few quick questions to make sure people understand what Kiwiburn is all about! It’s not a test and there are no wrong answers. There is also the Annual Community Survey which needs to be completed every year. The whole process should only take a few minutes. Please don’t create a profile for someone other than yourself and you may be preventing them from being aware of very important information. Burner Profiles help reduce scalping of tickets as a ticket is directly linked to a profile. If you sell your ticket then you’ll need to transfer the ticket online to the purchaser who must also have a Burner Profile. This means that when you turn up at Gate your ticket MUST match your ID. The Annual Community Survey helps to give us data on our community so we can continue delivering the best burn we can every year! 

    Does everyone need a Burner Profile?

    Yes, every ticket holder (not just the ticket purchaser) will have to make a Burner Profile. You MUST have completed a Burner Profile and filling in the Annual Community Survey before seeking to purchase a ticket. Tickets will only be sold to people with who have met the aforementioned criteria. Quicket will check that the email address entered for each ticket holder is linked to a Burner Profile and has commpleted the Annual Community Survey, so if you’re buying a ticket for someone else, make sure they have done these things and you have the email address they used for their Profile.
    The one exception is children under 16, who will not need a Burner Profile and do not need to complete the survey.

    I have previously completed a Burner Profile, do I need to again?

    All participants will be required to review and update their Burner Profile before purchasing a ticket to Kiwiburn, this will include completing the Annual Community Survey, which must be done each year.

    What is Quicket?

    Quicket is a ticketing agency run by Burners. They work with other Burn events including Blazing Swan, Burning Seed and AfrikaBurn. Quicket has a lot of experience both in ticketing for Burns and with Burner Profiles, and it is a far better technical solution to have Burner Profiles and the ticketing solution run by the same company. We examined a number of options in 2016 for our current and future needs. Quicket was the best option.

    Hang on, Quicket is a South African Company. Will my data be safe?

    You can view Quicket’s privacy policy here. All data is transmitted in a secure manner and stored in a secure data centre and access is only available to authorised Kiwiburn personnel.

    What is the Annual Community Survey?

    Every year we will then conduct an Annual Community Survey (you will receive an automated email to remind you to do it). This form will be hosted in a separate system to our Kiwiburn Portal system and be completely anonymised and unlinked to the Burner Profile. This form will collect information about the demographics of our community and perspectives on big decisions such as the number of participants on Paddock, the number of days of the event, and even “What is Kiwiburn?”. This information will act as a guide to further community consultation and decision-making and allow for more informed decisions to be made across the organisation. 

    If you are not planning to come to the event, completing the Annual Community Survey will also ensure that your perspectives are still considered within decision-making processes – and you are still participating in determining the future of our community.

    Is your question still unanswered? Browse the rest of our website for more info, or check out the Contact Page for who best to ask, they will do their best to answer your questions!

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