Ātea Block Party

Ātea, Whakatāne’s new Indigenous-led creative hub, is getting major music industry backing for the launch of The Ātea Block Party, a fundraising event bringing together live music, street kai, and community spirit on Saturday 20 December, 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM at Ātea, 266 The Strand, downtown Whakatāne. 

All proceeds from the family-friendly event will directly support vital facility upgrades and accessibility improvements for Ātea, an Indigenous-led creative hub. This event will serve as a showcase for the new space, which is purpose built to enable performance, creative development, and cultural activation in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Tickets for this event go on sale at 8am this Wednesday November 12, with limited Earlybird and VIP tickets available. Children 12 and under are free with a paying adult, and Afterpay is available for all purchases.

Headlining is Corrella, the seven-piece roots reggae band whose record-breaking single "Blue Eyed Māori" held the #1 spot on the NZ charts for over 50 weeks. Fresh off their sold-out national tour and riding high from the success of their latest album Skeletons, Corrella bring their unmistakable sun-soaked reggae sound to Whakatāne. 

They'll share the stage with Black Comet, the galactic funk collective led by Whakatāne's own Laughton Kora (of Kora, L.A.B, Fly My Pretties fame), returning home with his four-piece band. Auckland dancehall queen Rubi Du teams up with rapper JessB - winner of the 2019 MTV Europe Music Award for Best New Zealand Act - for a special collaborative performance. 

The lineup also features award-winning Māori neo-soul artist MOHI, known for his smooth blend of te reo Māori, R&B and contemporary soul. A rising voice in Aotearoa music, MOHI brings his signature groove and uplifting energy to the Block Party stage. The day will be kicked off by fast-rising Bay Of Plenty locals Ladz of the Mist, DJ Arok and Big Music. 

"The Block Party is about Whakatāne showing up for Whakatāne," says Wairere Iti, Festival Organiser. "We're bringing something that feels like us, and it's also a fundraiser for Ātea. Every ticket helps us upgrade the space, improve accessibility, and build a venue that will keep bringing fresh, exciting activations to town. What's beautiful is how everyone has rallied behind this kaupapa - Loop Live, all our artists, and partners have come on board with significantly reduced rates because they believe in what Ātea represents for community arts in the Eastern Bay. This kind of aroha and support shows the real strength of our creative community."

This is an all ages event, with children 12 and under free. Limited VIP tickets are available, which include front-of stage access and an exclusive area with dedicated food, bar and toilet facilities.

Expect street great kai, good tunes, and a licensed space with a local feel — right in the heart of town.

The event is hosted by Ātea with the support of Whakatāne District Council, Te Ahi Tahutahu Charitable Trust, Tāme Iti Limited, Mata Brewery, and in partnership with Loop

Tickets on sale from 8am Wednesday 12 November from https://bit.ly/43mDl7J

Tickets

• General Admission: $65 + booking fees (Earlybird), $75 + booking fees (second release), $85 + booking fees (Final Release)
• VIP: $180 + booking fees — includes front-of-stage access and an exclusive VIP area with dedicated food, bar, and toilet facilities
• Children 12 and under: FREE entry
• Tickets available now at:www.atea.art

Licensed Event: Under-18s must be accompanied by a guardian. All regulations applying to supervised licensed premises will be enforced.