TE TAU O TE TANIWHA
The year of the dragon
They are spirits who’s energy comes from us and their surroundings. They need us more than ever to be their guardians.
We look forward to sharing the ways we seek to protect our taniwha and the ways you can help protect the world it lives in.
The Taniwha is ready to welcome you back in 2024
Three Days & Two Nights, Den zone 48 hrs of dancing under the trees & stars, and a new stage Hinakura’s Whare.
Illuminated & projected art, a fantastic lineup of DJs & live performance.
As with all epic After Parties, we keep going until you drop or stop sometime Monday or Tuesday.
BYO food, & Den camping goodies, and Gas Barbecues are okay. Ticket numbers are limited.
Cyclone Gabrielle made some interesting changes to the Whenua & Awa. This caused us here at crew headquarters to rethink how we do things, listening to the environment and placing it first in our project planning. We also listened to you and your desire for a den with fewer numbers, and a more relaxed experience.
So what’s new for 2024:
- Two nights and two stages (not3). Gabrielle made a couple of changes and the Cliff-face is now part of an extended 48 hr Den Zone.
- We will be running on rechargeable batteries in 2024. No diesel generators. We were burning a large amount of fossil fuel and needed to look for alternatives or stop running the festival. This is a big step away from business as usual. But with some new technology mixed with Taniwha magic, there is a future.
- The Zen Stage was swept away by Gabrielle. The new Hinakura’s Whare Stage now overlooks the camping area from higher ground 400 meters from the main entrance.
- BYO food, chilly bins, and gas barbies. There will be 2 new food vendors, great coffee and smoothies as well as Soul Sisters Kombucha cocktails.
- Ticket numbers have been reduced so that you will have more space to camp and we will not have to squeeze anyone in.
- Camping will be extended to the riverside we want you to spread out and experience the hospitality of the Whenua.
- Gates open at 8 am Saturday the 3rd Feb, and stages open at 1 pm Saturday until 1 pm Monday the 5th. Then the after-party begins, we close when you drop or stop, Remember Tuesday is a Holiday.
- The usual No Dogs, NO Glass, Respect each other and a No means No. Respecting a person’s consent respects that person and the Aroha of the Taniwha.
- There is no EFTPOS or cell phone coverage, bring cash, bug spray, warm clothing for the cold nights, and sun protection for the hot days. There will be Hot showers on site and plenty of free drinking water.
Getting too and from Taniwha’s Den has changed due to a road closure.
How to Get to the Taniwhas Den
- PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE APPROPRIATE MAP
FOR YOUR JOURNEY TO 172 Moeraki Rd, Hinakura.
Map Option A (THIS LINK)
If you are travelling from Wellington or will be driving to site from anywhere south of Greytown/Carterton, please follow the above Option A link to the correct map for you.
Map Option B (THIS LINK)
If you are travelling from Masterton or from further North, you take the road from Masterton to Gladstone. Just before Gladstone you turn left onto Admiral Road and the new route to the Taniwhas Den. Do not go to Martinborough.
IMPORTANT:
Clifton Grove Road to the Den is a gravel road which is windy in places and changes elevation throughout the drive. It has some stunning views along the way.
We ask that you take extreme care on the road in.
- Drive slowly
- Have a passenger follow the map and check off the the Den signs as you go
- Take your time
- Drive during daylight hours Only
- Watch out for stock on the road
- Ensure loads in your car or campervan are secured correctly
Detailed Directions – Carterton to Hinakura
- Gates open at 8 am Saturday the 3rd Feb.
- Stages open at 1 pm Saturday until 1 pm Monday the 5th. Then the after-party begins, we close when you drop or stop. Remember Tuesday is a Holiday.
- Free drinking water on site.
R18 | 172 Moeraki Rd, Hinakura, Martinborough
Tickets available from Cosmic.
Please take care on the roads and we look forward to having you all here for this year’s event.
Camping, Food, Water & Other Things
You will be able to camp with your cars, tents and friends at the 2024 Den. There will be no separate car park.
ENTRY & CAMPING FOR VANS, CARAVANS, RV’s, BUSES.
You will need to book your space for these camping options. We have set aside an area to accommodate you and allow you to be with friends who have tents. BUT YOU MUST BOOK. Please click on the link for more information and to register.
Campsite services & showers
- Free hot & cold showers on site, in a centralised ablution block.
We’ve got the power
- Campsite Hubs will provide a self-service area with stations to plug your jug in to boil a cuppa etc.
Water, water everywhere
- Extra free drinking water will be placed throughout the camp zone.
Know Your Stuff
Will be with us again. We love these people, they keep us safe.
Food & sustenance
Cash is King! There is no eftpos.
Our awesome food vendors will be available on site when the gates open at on Friday.
Getting in the festive spirit
This coming year we’ve got a treat for you! We will be creating a special space for everyone to explore their fun and vibrant sides. We look forward to welcoming you to SOS, the Swap Or Shop Costume Shop.
Whether you are a seasoned festival-goer or a newbie, we will be there to help you explore and expand in all things dress-ups. We will help you to dress the way you want to feel!
As many of you will know, creating the festival vibe takes a village, and here’s where YOU come in! We need you to search through all your costumes and accessories. If you have something that you don’t need anymore, please give it to us! Start a little pile of goodies and let us know that you are keen on helping.
This is a special shop as all of the proceeds will go directly to the Wairarapa Women’s Refuge. We can have fun and make a difference at the same time. It’s a win-win!
Drop us an email at SOSatTheDen@gmail.com for more information and drop-off locations.
Wigs, capes, sequins, glasses, funky pants, shirts, leggings, jewellery, dresses, hotpants, onesies, jackets, accessories: IF IT’S FUN, WE WANT IT!
Respect the Taniwha
The Den family are a respectful tribe of music lovers. We know how to have a good time, we respect all who are on or off the dance floor, as well as the land that we are so blessed to call home for the three magical days we come together every year.
We reserve the right to deny entry or to ask you to leave the Taniwha’s Den. This has hardly ever happened, and we don’t want to start now. Which makes the party that much more fun for us all.
To preserve our beautiful location and to help ensure that we can party here for many years to come, please check, and respect our guidelines below.
Leave only footprints and good memories This place is special to us, respect it as you would your place. Above all have a fucking great time.
No means No This goes for us all gathering in this very special place. Respect your mates and their choices. Consent is an obvious YES. Anything else is a NO.
Look after each other Look out for your mates, and everyone else. If you need assistance, come speak to any member of our crew, security team, or volunteers. The Den crew are here to help, but we are not here to babysit you.
Respect everyone Discrimination on the basis of gender, race, sexual orientation or origin and any form of sexual harassment be it physical or verbal is not welcome at the Den.
No dogs There are resident Kuri born on the Whenua, most of you have met them. But if you bring a dog, you will be denied entry.
No swimming or drinking the river water.
No glass It was great to see everyone trying to bring cans or had decanted into plastic for the 2021 event. We will be a lot more observant in 2023, so please no glass.
Rubbish Please pick up and collect all your rubbish in the rubbish bags we provide on entry. Also it would be very helpful if you see litter on the ground to pick it up and help us leave no footprint. On your way out there will be two large skip bins to put your rubbish bags into before driving home.
No open fires, gas or charcoal BBQ’s It’s a total FIRE BAN in Hinakura for February. But we will have all our food vendors here on time and electric sockets for kettles and a cuppa available in the camp zone.
