Music Industry News

Ātea, Whakatāne’s new Indigenous-led creative hub, is getting major music industry backing for the launch of The Ātea Block Party.

The fundraising event will bring together live music, street kai, and community spirit on Saturday, December 20 from 3pm – 10pm at Ātea, 266 The Strand, 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 are on sale here.

There are limited Earlybird and VIP tickets available. Children aged 12 years and under are free with a paying adult, and Afterpay is available for all purchases.

Headlining the event 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 line-up 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 aged 12 years 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 great street 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.

The Ātea Block Party featuring Corrella, Black Comet, Rubi Du & JessB, Mohi & more
Saturday December 20 – Ātea, 266 The Strand, Whakatāne
Tickets on sale HERE

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Ātea is a Whakatāne creative hub and venue, Indigenous-arts led and community-facing, built to enable performance, creative development, and cultural activation in the Eastern Bay. Working alongside Te Ahi Tahutahu Charitable Trust and local collaborators, Ātea delivers programming that makes space for Indigenous arts and for the wider creative community. Proceeds from the Ātea Block Party support facility upgrades and accessibility improvements needed to leverage co-funding from third-party funders.