Well, we’ve gone and done it again. We’ve lured another unsuspecting soul into joining the DoP and this time, she’s a Birgin! Kiwiburn community, meet your new KBlog writer, Lilith.
Tell us about your role in the DoP:
I’m stepping into the role of the Kiwiburn Blog writer, picking up the torch from the wonderful writers who came before me. I get to help tell the stories of this community, from behind the scenes peeks to reflections, guides, and whatever burning curiosity has been buzzing around your brain.
If there’s something you’d love to be covered – a story, a spotlight, art, a burning question of your own, or you just want to chat KBlog ideas, you can always reach me at news@kiwiburn.com
What made you want to volunteer for a year round role? And what would you say to anyone considering it?
Full transparency: I’ve never been to Kiwiburn (yet!) – but I’ve spent the last few years involved in the wider Burner adjacent ecosystem through Twisted Frequency, Arkadein, and Taniwha’s Den. After experiencing those communities, I realised I didn’t want that sense of connection and creativity to end when the festival did.
Volunteering year-round felt like a way to stay plugged into the scene, learn from the coolest people, and meet future friends before I even make it to the Paddock.
To anyone considering a role, especially if you’re a first timer like me: your people are here. You just haven’t met them yet.
When you’re not doing KB stuff, how do you spend your time?
Mostly writing, playing music, practicing with flow toys, and trying (with mixed success) to keep my discounted plants alive. The odds, I fear, are stacked against them.
Very partial to a festival, good tunes, making silly costumes, and long conversations about nothing in particular with my favourite people.
How did you get involved with Kiwiburn?
I saw the listing on the Kiwiburn website. Mates dragged me in with the promise of “You’re going to love this, trust me,” and they were so right.
I’d been shying away from writing publicly for about a year, so this felt like the perfect nudge at exactly the right time to be less of a hermit. And here I am. Thanks for having me, team!
What’s your favourite thing about being part of this amazing community?
The sincerity. People just… are themselves. Loudly. Tenderly. Strangely.
It’s liberating.
Also the creativity, the kindness, the organised chaos, the way strangers become friends in about six minutes… honestly, it’s hard to pick just one.
But if I had to? It’s the generosity. When people are so generously themselves, it makes you want to show up just as fully.
What’s your favourite Paddock moment?
Technically, I haven’t had a Kiwiburn moment yet… unless you count staring at the website in awe. But at Twisted and Taniwha’s Den my favourite moment was realising “Oh. These people get me.”
So I guess my favourite moment so far… is anticipation.
What skills have you learned by being involved with Kiwiburn?
Improvisation. Saying “yes” to things I would normally talk myself out of. And, very importantly – wider festival-wise – how to properly stake down a gazebo in high winds. Haha!
This role gives me such an awesome excuse to dive in and learn more about everything Kiwiburn.
What are you most excited about for Kiwiburn 2026?
Meeting the community in person.
Catching up with existing Burner friends.
Seeing what wild, heartfelt art people dream into being.
And watching the Paddock reinvent itself, as it seems to always do, with whatever awesome thing people pour into it.
I am so very excited to see these themed camps and to experience the gift economy firsthand.
