Rhythm and Vines still on after earthquake

As cleanup work continues in Gisborne following the 6.8 earthquake, Rhythm & Vines, New Zealand's largest New Year's Eve music festival informs that no damage was sustained to the venue Waiohika Estate vineyards. Organisers affirm that the festival will proceed as planned.

The main street Gladstone Road opened today, with a few damaged zones remaining taped off.

“The initial shock has worn off. All roads into the city are fine, and supplies of food, petrol and amenities have not been affected.” Festival Manager Christine Shanahan. “Rhythm & Vines is all go and Gisborne will be ready for the New Year’s Eve visitors.”

Ms. Shanahan informed that donations would be taken at the festival for locals affected by the quake. “We need to support the region at this time. There is now even more reason to come out to Gisborne. Rhythm & Vines is a key mechanism to help the city of Gisborne in it’s time of need. Let’s show the world that we can rock it bigger than the earthquake!”

The 4 stages, 40 music acts, midnight pyrotechnics show and other attractions are still 100% confirmed. This year Rhythm & Vines will present UK dance/rock band New Young Pony Club, Scribe, Hollie Smith and a range of international and New Zealand-based bands and DJs. The first festival held in 2003 attracted 1,800 people. Last year 15,000 tickets sold out in advance. The festival expects attendance this year to parallel last year’s.

BW Camping Festival, also in Gisborne, which accommodates over 9,000 people in campgrounds along Midway Beach between 27th December and 2nd January, was also unscathed. The campground will be ready to receive its patrons as scheduled.