‘A national treasure’: Rhythm & Vines explain why they are moving from Gisborne

After 24 years of ringing in the New Year in Gisborne, Rhythm & Vines is preparing for a new chapter.

Earlier this week, organisers confirmed the festival will leave its longtime home at Waiohika Estate, bringing an end to its 24-year run in Tairāwhiti. They said in a statement that the move is necessary to "support the festival's long-term future and continued evolution."

Speaking to George Breakfast this morning, Rhythm & Vines Head of Marketing Kyle Bell said the decision wasn't made lightly.

"The decision was made to find a new home for Rhythm & Vines to protect the legacy and the future of the festival," Bell said.

"It's a national treasure and needs to be protected for future generations, so that's what we're doing."

Bell said rising costs had become one of the biggest challenges facing the festival.

"The word we've used a lot is 'headwinds'. There's a lot of costs and freight. We've got to bring everything into Gisborne - staging and infrastructure - and then there's the cost of attracting the talent we want to bring onto the lineup.

"There's just a lot of things working against us in that respect. It's about making a decision to protect the long-term viability of Rhythm & Vines and the festival."

Festival CEO Kieran Spillane also paid tribute to the city that has hosted the event since its inception.

"Gisborne has been the heart and home of Rhythm & Vines for nearly a quarter of a century," Spillane said.

"We are incredibly proud of what we have built alongside the community, and deeply grateful to everyone who has helped create 24 years of New Year's magic at Waiohika Estate."

What started in 2003 as a festival for just 1,800 people has grown into one of New Zealand's biggest New Year's celebrations. Last year's event attracted around 26,000 festivalgoers and delivered a significant boost to the Tairāwhiti visitor economy.

Organisers are yet to announce where Rhythm & Vines will call home next, but say more details about the festival's future will be revealed in the coming months.

Watch George Breakfast's full interview with Kyle Bell above.