So you got a ticket. Amazing. Slightly terrifying. Completely normal.
If this is your first Burn, the most important thing to know is that it is not a festival in the usual sense. There are no food stalls, no shops, and no one whose job it is to make sure you are comfortable except you and the people around you. If this is your first KIWIburn, it’s much like other Burns, except there’s more cans of Double Brown.
Kiwiburn is a temporary city built by the people who turn up. That means you need to bring EVERYTHING you need to survive the week. Food, containers for water, shelter, warm clothes, sun protection, and a plan for when the weather does something weird (spoiler alert: it will). Once you’re set up though, the magic kicks in. Art appears out of nowhere. Strangers offer you tea, or perhaps challenge you to a joust. Someone invites you to a workshop you didn’t know you needed.
Expect to feel out of your depth and right at home, often at the same time. You do not need to be an extrovert or have a fully costumed persona. Showing up, being curious, and being kind is more than enough.
Before you pack anything, do yourself a favour and read the Kiwiburn Survival Guide. It is an extensive, but not exhaustive list of hot tips and ‘Gee, i didn’t think of that’ that will definitely be of benefit to a Birgin such as yourself.
My personal tip to any first time Burners? Bring a reliable pair of weatherproof boots and absolutely do NOT forget your toothbrush (also, chuck that wristband on the hand you don’t wipe with!).
Image credit: Daniel Wagner
