Local Wild Food Festival and Challenge 2024

An institution in the Eastern Bay of Plenty culinary calendar, The Local Wild Food Festival and Challenge is a celebration of local food, from a part of the world where game, kaimoana and produce are plentiful and varied.

Whakatāne's Local Wild Food Festival is back for 2024, returning to the original location of Mahy Reserve, but at a new evening time-slot!

The festival has a relaxed atmosphere with live music, food trucks, local food demonstrations and markets.

The challenge element of the food festival will return too, and we encourage local (and visiting) foodies to enter the competition - preparing a local wild food dish and presented for judging on the day. Registrations are now open and challenge contestants get free entry into the festival.

Come along, watch chefs in action or check out one of the demonstrations happening throughout the day.