Yes, Sonic Waves is an R16 event. A valid form of ID will be required for entry (NZ driver licence, current passport, Kiwi Access card, HANZ 18+ card).
No ID, no entry – it’s a law thing, not a discretion thing.
If you do not have the ID that you need, that matches your ticket, you will not be allowed to enter the festival.
If you have lost your ID, grab everything you can that proves who you are and book to see a Justice of the Peace who can sign a statutory declaration that you are over 16.
Sonic Waves is situated at the Whangamata Rugby Grounds.
Entrance 1 is located at the bottom of Lincoln Road.
Entrance 2 is located next to the Rugby Club on Aickin Road
Follow the signs to find your correct gate.
PLEASE be aware of our neighbours – we come into their area so we need to respect it.
There will be multiple food and beverage outlets, no alcohol is available to be purchased on site. If you are planning to have a few prior, just remember intoxicated patrons will be refused entry. Patrons caught with alcohol will be refused entry or evicted from the venue. Patrons caught with Illegal drugs will be refused entry or evicted from the venue and referred to the Police.
It’s a good idea to have a curfew in place each night. Once you know everyone is home you can rest easy.
There is a Public Liquor Ban in place in Whangamata during the Sonic Waves Festival. So don’t take any booze on the street.
Sonic Waves has a Zero Tolerance policy for Drugs & Alcohol.
The best way to stay safe is to stay with your friends and look after your mates.
Drink plenty of water during the day. If you’re having a couple of drinks prior to coming, make sure you get some food in your belly too.
And just remember intoxicated patrons will be refused entry onto buses and into Sonic Waves. And no refund will be available.
If you’re staying in Whangamata, one of the best ways to get around is on a push bike. You can ride to the festival, just make sure you have a lock. We are not responsible for your bikes.
Check out our SW Bus services, head to our bus page our bus page here.
There will be continuous free shuttle buses operating around Whangamata and the Sonic Waves site.
There will also be return buses running from: These are available to booked when you purchase your ticket.
Yes, camping is available in the nearby Wentworth Valley Camp Ground. You can book camping when you purchase your Festival Tickets. Camping includes return buses daily.
PLEASE NOTE: Our campground will sell out in advance, make sure you lock your camping pass in early. Only people who have purchased camping passes will be allowed in the camping area.
The camp ground is not run by us, all camper must adhere to Wentworth Valley Camp rules.
You will need to bring your own tent.
Take a look for baches and rentals in the surrounding towns. Make sure that you plan how to get to the festival when booking your baches.
Try AirBnb, BookaBach or one of the local campgrounds.
Sonic Waves is strictly NO BYO, to any part of the festival.
Sonic Waves has a zero tolerance policy to drugs and alcohol on site.
NO:
There are NO pass-outs from Sonic Waves. Once you have entered the festival you CANNOT leave and re-enter on the same day.
No – the seller will complete the sale via Ticket Fairy Direct Resale.
We DO NOT guarantee any tickets sold/purchased outside of Ticket Fairy.
Name changes are not open as they are not needed for any tickets purchased the correct way.
Yes, the name on the ticket needs to match the name on the ID. If it is obviously a shorter version of the name, and the picture looks like you, then that will be fine.
If you have bought tickets through the correct website (Ticket Fairy and Ticket Fairy resale) and put your nickname, or put two tickets in your own name (it happens) then message support@theticketfairy.com and explain the situation. We will look at things on a case-by-case basis.
If you have bought the ticket through any other channel, request your money back and then complete the sale via the correct Direct Resale process found here.
This year we have no one day tickets on sale.
If you want to make sure you are at Sonic Waves this year, a standard ticket gets you in both days.
No we do not have gate sales. You cannot change any names at the gate, and you can’t buy any tickets (or add-ons).
GENERAL
These Terms and Conditions may be subject to change at any time and will become binding, with or without notification by Sonic Waves (SW).
Terms and conditions for the purchase of tickets will be available at the time of purchase through the Ticket Fairy sales page. If in the event Ticket Fairy terms and conditions do not match the festival terms, or do not specify an answer, the festival terms will apply.
GENERAL CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
Sonic Waves will follow, and require ticket holders to follow, any updated requirements without further notice to ticket holders.
TICKET REFUNDS, SALES AND EXCHANGE
OTHER RELEVANT TERMS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK:
You acknowledge and agree the following:
RELEASE, WAIVER, DISCHARGE AND INDEMNITY:
You unconditionally release, waive and discharge, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Released Parties from any and all Liability and you unconditionally agree to indemnify (and hold harmless) the Released Parties in respect of all such Liability.