Tora Bombora is a festival for the soul on the edge of the world.
After five incredible festivals and a four year hiatus, Tora Bombora is returning for the sixth edition.
KAUPAPA
Tora Bombora is a gathering shaped by environment, sound, and intention.
Born from community and nurtured by the community that surrounds it. Tora Bombora exists to slow time, dissolve ego, and create space for the connection between people, music, whenua, and self. This next chapter is not about becoming bigger, louder, or faster, but about going deeper: building the world more carefully, listening more closely, and holding room for shared moments that linger long after the sun sets. As a new dawn emerges, Tora Bombora returns — grounded, considered, and open to those who feel the call.
Connection to Place
Tora Bombora is located at Tora on the Wairarapa Coastline, within the rohe of Ngāti Kahungunu. Tora is a rugged, remote coastline that shapes every aspect of the festival. This land is not simply a backdrop, but a collaborator. It’s a real privilege to be able to run a festival out here. The festival takes place on the organiser's family land of Hiwikirikiri, which has been in the family for over 75 years.
We honour the coast by keeping the festival small, sustainable, and low-impact, building everything by hand, and working closely with the community that make the event possible.
Nurture nature, and be nurtured by the coast in return.
Sustainability & Responsibility
Love this place, leave no trace!
We are committed to running a festival that respects the land and future generations.
Tora Bombora operates with a zero-waste kaupapa, minimal infrastructure footprint, and responsible environmental practices — from composting systems to reusable materials, solar integration, and conscious travel planning.
We look after your recycling and compost, however, waste must be taken out by you. Please come prepared and don’t pack your car with single-use items.
Magic Through Intimacy
Do yourself a favour and leave your phone in the car.
By deliberately capping numbers and avoiding commercial scale, Tora Bombora preserves a sense of magic that can only exist in intimate gatherings.
The kaupapa is centred around creating an atmosphere that feels safe, special, and transformative, where strangers become friends and every performance feels personal. Bring the best version of yourself, dress up, meet your neighbors, and most importantly, enjoy the moment.
Creativity Without Ego
Tora Bombora is, at its core, a community-driven project — a gathering shaped by the people who build it. Emerging musicians, artists, creators, friends, locals, and volunteers return year after year to contribute their unique energy, skills, twist and spirit. Belonging, inclusiveness, and collaboration sit at the heart of the event; it isn’t designed to be consumed, but to be created together.
Creativity without ego guides everything we do. Tora Bombora champions emerging talent, experimentation, and DIY artistry, offering a space where musicians and artists perform freely, collaborate openly, and take risks without commercial pressure. We celebrate curiosity, exploration, and the kind of creativity that really flourishes in an intimate, supportive environment.