Approval for festivals and entertainment promoters

You can apply to get your festival approved or for your organisation to become an approved entertainment promoter.

Being approved will simplify the visa application process for your staff and the performers participating in your events — they can come to New Zealand as visitors instead of needing work visas.

Approvals are valid for 4 years.

If you are an organiser of an arts or music festival, you can apply for your festival to become approved.

You will need proof that:

• your festival has been established in New Zealand for at least 3 years
• you will bring in at least 10 international participants — performers, support staff or both, including specific names and details.

Apply for an Arts and Music Festival Approval

If you are a promoter of short-term live entertainment acts, you can apply to be on our list of approved entertainment promoters.

You will need proof that you are an established promoter who has promoted international performers in New Zealand for the past 3 years.

Apply for an Entertainment Promoters Approval

Promoters who hold Approved Promoter or Approved Arts and Music Festival status are required to notify us of tour events.

This notification must be sent to at least 4 weeks prior to the performers’ arrival in New Zealand. This must send this to:

festivalsandpromoters@mbie.govt.nz