Nest Fest take off: Up to 10,000 people expected to fill Hawke's Bay showgrounds for festival

Next year's Nest Fest, which will be held at the Hawke's Bay Tomoana Showgrounds on January 15, is set to draw up to 10,000 people to the region. Photo / NZME

The biggest music festival to be staged in Hawke's Bay is coming in January, provided the region can keep Covid under control.

Nest Fest has flown its Black Barn coop and the fourth iteration of the wildly popular festival will be held at Showgrounds Hawke's Bay Tomoana in Hastings, where a crowd of 10,000 is expected.

Artists include headliners Marlon Williams and Ladyhawke as well as Kirin J Callinan, Liam Finn, The Veils and the Akina Vinyl Appreciation Society.

Nest Fest organiser Harry Pettit, of BirdsNest Entertainment, said they were expecting a bigger crowd than was possible at their Black Barn festival in January which drew more than 4000 people to the region.

This year's sell-out Nest Fest, held at Black Barn in January, drew more than 4000 people to the region. Photo / NZME

"We are definitely trying to grow this year - which has had its obvious hurdles to navigate - but we would be stoked with a turnout of between 8000-10,000 at the Showgrounds."

"There is more than enough space to cater for everyone there."

More than 50 per cent of tickets had already been sold on Friday and organisers were hoping for another sell-out crowd, with the venue change also allowing for about 500 overnight campers.

The event will still be contingent on Covid-19 restrictions, including the recently announced traffic light system. Patrons will also need to present their newly available vaccine passports to be allowed entry.

More than 50 per cent of tickets to next year's Nest Fest event have already sold. Photo / NZME

Pettit believed Hawke's Bay would need to be in the orange level for the event to go ahead, encouraging people to get vaccinated so the region could "move forward together".

He said the team is working on its resource consent for the event, which will include sound limit requirements for neighbouring residential areas.

"We are super excited about delivering an amazing show for everyone.

"We are thrilled to have so many amazing artists, with the likes of Marlon Williams.

"We believe this will be his only live performance this summer so really excited for people to experience that with us."

This year's Nest Fest drew in many out-of-towners which Pettit said was great for the Hawke's Bay community.

"We hope we can bring more locals to enjoy this special day with us and celebrate good music, good people and our communities."

The Showgrounds earlier played host to about 20,000 people at the Six60 concert also in January this year.

Sally Jackson, general manager of the Hawke's Bay A&P Show which manages the 42-hectare site, said a festival event of this size would also be a first for the venue.

"As a destination, we are becoming really popular for events of these sizes.

"It's great to see them coming in."

The Hawke's Bay Tomoana Showgrounds earlier played host to about 20,000 people at the Six60 concert in January. Photo / NZME

While most events held at the Showgrounds had crowd sizes of about 1000 to 5000 people, Jackson said they saw about 230,000 people through their gates each year across all events including poultry shows, equestrian competitions and concerts.

Of concerns about security and noise issues raised following the Six60 concert, she said there was a "huge science" that went into the management of that including the placement of speakers and stages, as well as closing down times at respectful hours.

She said it had been a tough time for the industry and it was important to support event organisers.

"Events are such a big part of our community and the economic impact is massive.

"People see this place, Hawke's Bay, as an event destination."

Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said there was "huge potential" for the district as a location for large scale events. Photo / NZME

Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said there was "huge potential" for the district as a location for large scale events.

"Hastings District and the wider Hawke's Bay region can offer an amazing visitor experience wrapped around a major event – exceptional food and wine, beautiful scenery, beaches, walking and cycling trails and more."

Such events offered a range of benefits, including accommodation, retail and hospital expenditure, she said.

Events also benefit local suppliers that support the event sector such as equipment hire, security services, transport and catering.

It was also a chance for the community to come together, something people had "sorely missed" with Covid-19 forcing many cancellations.

"They create a sense of coming together to share experiences which contribute to a vibrant community and build a sense of belonging."