Kiwiburn Town Planning

The Site

Kiwiburn is held on a working farm in Hunterville, bordering the Rangitīkei River. The site spans multiple paddocks and includes open grassland, rolling hills, and a forested area, creating a diverse and dynamic environment for the Town.

Aerial view of the Paddock at Kiwiburn 2017.

View from the hill above the site, Kiwiburn 2017 (photo by Paul Chaffe)

Kiwiburn Town Plan

Kiwiburn’s layout varies slightly each year depending on which paddocks are available, site conditions, and other factors — some of which may not be fully known until the team is on site. For this reason, all proposed layouts are subject to change at any time.

Check out our 2026 sitemap below!

Kiwiburn town map 2026

Vision

As a sub-group of the wider Kiwiburn community, the Town Planning team works as an adaptable and responsive collective to design a Town that cultivates a safe, welcoming, and comfortable environment for the self-expression of all Kiwiburn participants.

The physical arrangement of the Town seeks to cohesively interrelate diverse spaces by carefully considering:

  • the flow of people,
  • the nature and intensity of activities, and
  • the ecological patterns and constraints of the site.

Town Planners actively engage with the Kiwiburn community wherever possible throughout the planning process. We make every reasonable effort to ensure that participants, Theme Camps, and Art Installations have their voices heard, their needs considered, and feel like valued contributors to the shared physical landscape of the Burn.

Relevant Constraints

  • Population: ~2200
  • Sound Policy:
    • Large sound systems must face north
    • Lower paddocks trend toward quieter use
    • Upper paddocks support louder activities
    • Overall sound gradients trend from quieter in the south-east to louder in the north-west
    • See official Sound Policy here for more details
  • Vehicle access: for emergencies, Art Cars, transport and infrastructure support
  • Paddock use: It is likely that four paddocks will be utilised again (available space is subject to change)
  • Forest: Awake & Aware use only — no camping
  • Civic infrastructure (MPW, etc.): Requires stable, centrally accessible locations
  • Pedestrian movement: Walking access through vegetation between paddocks is viable
  • Environmental care: Minimise burn scars wherever possible
  • Site risks: High winds, falling trees, sun exposure, and potential flooding
  • Burn perimeter: To be determined based on weather conditions and final structure placement
  • Roading: A fun, intentional, and legible roading system to support navigation and a better Paddock Post

 Planning Concepts

In response to these constraints, and in collaboration with Operations and Site Safety, the Town Planning team has developed a concept guided by the following goals:

  • Theme Camps are clustered into inclusive “villages” based on shared intent or vibe, while still encouraging diversity and avoiding segregation
  • General Camping is integrated throughout the Town in smaller pockets nestled among Theme Camp villages — there is no single “General Camping paddock”
  • A large, open, and wild “deep playa” zone is preserved
  • Clear delineation between quiet/safe zones and loud/party zones, with the bottom paddock reserved for quieter activities
  • The forest remains an Awake & Aware space, dedicated to art and daytime workshops
  • All communal and civic infrastructure is functional, visible, and accessible
  • The Town contains no dead or unused space — former car parking and general camping fields are fully integrated into the Town fabric for art, camps, camping, and vehicles

Camping Guide

  • General camping is integrated in designated pockets around Theme Camps across all paddocks
  • Theme Camps are grouped by vibe, with:
    • Effigy Paddock being the loudest
    • Lower/Bottom Paddock being the quietest
  • Please build your campsite from the road back (not from the fence forward)
  • There is plenty of space — don’t stress about finding a spot
  • Only sleeping vehicles may remain in camps; all other vehicles should be parked in the car park
  • Introduce yourself to neighbouring Theme Camps and general campers — build a neighbourhood
  • If you have questions about designated camping areas, find a friendly Town Planner. They’ll likely be hanging out at The Hub!
2026 sitemap
Camping guide
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