BULLER FESTIVAL, NEW ZEALAND, FEBRUARY 2026
BULLER FESTIVAL, NEW ZEALAND, FEBRUARY 2026
Buller Fest returned to Murchison from February 27th to March 1st, 2026, bringing three days of whitewater action to the Mātakitaki and Buller Rivers. Now more than 30 years strong, it remains New Zealand’s largest whitewater event, drawing paddlers from across the country and beyond. For one weekend, the usually quiet town of Murchison transforms, its population swelling as paddlers and spectators descend on some of the best whitewater in Aotearoa.
At its core, Buller Fest is about participation and getting people on the river, whether first-timers or seasoned competitors. Festivities kicked off on the Friday night with the Awanui Film Awards at the Murchison Theatre. A packed audience, lively raffle, and audience-voted prizes made for a celebration of outdoor storytelling at its best. Dan Sutherland shared highlights from his 100-day Fiordland expedition, while Whitewater NZ supported a film made by Polytech students on the threatened Waitaha River with an adventure fund prize.
« At its core, Buller Fest is about participation and getting people on the river »
Saturday delivered with kayak slalom and the popular RafterX at O’Sullivan’s Rapid. The roadside buzzed for over a kilometer, with spectators cheering on a strong field across every category. A record number of raft teams took to the water, with local crew Ariki Kaitiaki claiming the RafterX title. That energy then carried into Rock the Buller paddock party—camping, barbecue, bonfire, and a full night of live music from local band Toadstool, alongside DJ sets from within the whitewater community, all supported by FestAid to keep things safe.
Sunday wrapped up with BoaterX on the Lower Mātakitaki, featuring tight racing and the return of a junior category. The weekend concluded with prizegiving, celebrating competitors, and rounding out a memorable few days on the river.
Words: Juliet Nelson | Photography: Jessica Russel
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