Tauranga: One Love cancelled, Black Sticks game today is off

One Love has been cancelled. Photo / Mead Norton

The One Love music festival in Tauranga has been cancelled due to wild weather.

One Love promoter Glenn Meikle said the weather forecasts worsened overnight, making it logistically impossible to hold One Love 2023 this weekend.

The Vantage Black Sticks were due to play Spain today in a two-day series at Blake Park but that event was cancelled.

Meikle said One Love was a staple of New Zealand’s summer festival scene.

“With tens of thousands of fans ... coming along to celebrate reggae music at each event, we know how disappointing this cancellation is for not only our ticket holders but for the staff who have been working tirelessly behind the scenes, and of course, the artists,” Meikle said.

”However, safety of all is paramount - and that includes the 40 per cent of our ticket-holders who are unable to travel to Tauranga dealing with Auckland’s State of Emergency. We hope everyone remains safe.

”Our team has considered every option before making the decision to cancel One Love 2023 and there really is no other option. Going ahead in the current conditions would simply be irresponsible.

“We are genuinely sorry to let everyone down.”

An earlier post on the festival organisers’ Facebook page said ticketholders would receive a full refund within 30 working days.

Campers can stay onsite until Monday and would receive a full refund.

Pre-topped-up wristband credits would be refunded within seven working days.

One Love was to feature local and international fan favourites, including UB40 featuring Ali Campbell, L.A.B, J Boog, Fiji, Sons of Zion, Kolohe Kai, Rebel Souljahz, Katchafire, and Sean Kingston.

A message on Vantage Black Sticks’ Facebook page said: “Due to the inclement weather, out of regard for the safety of our players and fans, Hockey NZ has made the difficult decision to cancel today’s game in Tauranga”.

“The safety of our players and fans is always the highest priority and has been the determining factor in this outcome. We sincerely thank all ticket holders for their support of the Vantage Black Sticks, and more importantly Women’s Refuge in purchasing tickets for this match - it has been greatly received.

”Hockey New Zealand will be in touch with all ticket purchasers, for this match, on Tuesday with refund options. Alternatively, you can use today’s ticket for tomorrow’s match.’'

‘‘We look forward to playing, and broadcasting, the match tomorrow as long as it is safe to do so. We will provide any updates on that match via our social media and emails to ticket holders.”