River Sounds Festival bows out with final Katikati show

The River Sounds Festival, a not-for-profit music event held in Katikati that has championed mental health awareness since 2019, will hold its final edition on 15 February 2025. The R-18 event takes place at a local avocado orchard and is being billed as a last gathering of music lovers along the riverbanks.

The festival was born from tragedy — created as a one-off to honour the brother of two of its founders, who died by suicide after a decade-long battle with mental illness. Following the overwhelming response to that inaugural event, it became a biennial occasion, raising more than $70,000 for mental health initiatives in Aotearoa New Zealand over its lifetime.

This year's theme is 'Raise Your Voice', with the message that mental health does not discriminate and that community support is vital. The line-up includes internationally acclaimed artists and rising stars such as Georgia Lines, Bec Sandridge and King Kapisi. Alongside the music, attendees will have access to free wellbeing activities including yoga, a men's discussion group, and korero from people with lived experience. Peer support workers from Te Puna Hauora will also be on hand. All proceeds will be donated to mental health initiatives, with Te Puna Hauora as the 2025 charity partner.

Gourmet food stalls, an on-site bar, artisan markets and interactive art installations will round out the day. Tickets are available at events.humanitix.com/the-river-sounds-festival-2025, with the festival running from 12pm.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).