Kiwiburn doused
New Zealand’s answer to the world-famous Burning Man festival has been dampened because of an impasse with the Rangitı¯kei District Council.
They were unable to agree on noise restrictions, so there will be no Kiwiburn festival next year.
Kiwiburn has been run just outside of the Rangitı¯kei village of Hunterville since 2014, bringing hundreds of people together for a six-day performance extravaganza.
Just like the original Burning Man, which started in Nevada in 1986, the Hunterville version involves the burning of a large effigy.
In a statement posted online on Monday, the organisers of Kiwiburn announced they would not be hosting the evening in 2019.
Organisers were trying to get a 10-year resource consent for the event from the council.
However, arguments over noise had brought things to an impasse.
‘‘It is very important for Kiwiburn to have a positive relationship with the local community, so we are actively seeking ways to assure them that the event will not have a negative impact,’’ the statement said.
The council’s noise conditions were ‘‘not achievable’’ and would change the nature of Kiwiburn.
‘‘We are applying for a 10-year resource consent, so any sound conditions agreed to now would have to be adhered to for that time.
‘‘Our team will take the time to negotiate reasonable and achievable noise conditions ensuring Kiwiburn can continue well into the future.’’
Kiwiburn’s executive committee decided consents needed to be organised by mid-july to ensure there was enough time to get ready for the 2019 edition.
Negotiations were continuing with the council, with the aim of reaching a compromise.
Members of the ‘‘Kiwiburn community’’ were encouraged to create their own events, but should think about how any events held in Rangitı¯kei may jeopardise the Hunterville event’s consent, the statement said.
The Rangitı¯kei District Council couldn’t be reached for comment yesterday.
Kiwiburn has had incidents over the years, including two people injured trying to enter the festival overnight in January, after being locked out.
Both fell from the same point on a cliff, and were taken to Palmerston North Hospital.