Murchison
Fri 27 Feb 4pm - Sun 1 Mar 3pm
Buller Festival (Bullerfest) is a three-day whitewater kayaking and rafting festival held annually on the Matakitaki and Buller rivers in Murchison, New Zealand. Since its inception 25 years ago, Buller Festival has grown into the country’s biggest whitewater event, attracting competitors from all over New Zealand and around the world.
Buller Festival is one of the largest events held in the Murchison area each year. Usually a sleepy town, Murchison is situated on the doorstep of some of New Zealand’s finest paddling grounds. The festival doubles Murchison’s population for one weekend each year. It is an event that is eagerly anticipated by both the local community and the wider whitewater paddling community.
The events at Buller Festival are designed around participation and cater to all levels of paddling ability, from beginners to elite paddlers. The aim of these events is to ‘get people on the river,’ encouraging both competitors and spectators to share their passion for paddling.
The theme for Bullerfest 2026 is ‘Kaleidoflow’. Kaleidoflow is where the wild rivers of Aotearoa meet a kaleidoscope of colour, energy, and connection. Set against a backdrop of towering native bush and crystal-clear rapids, this whitewater kayaking festival celebrates the rhythm of nature and the flow of community. Like the ever-shifting patterns of a kaleidoscope, the river reflects endless possibilities – each twist and turn a burst of movement and light. It’s a psychedelic celebration of water, wilderness, and wonder, inviting paddlers to immerse themselves in the vibrant currents of both the river and the festival spirit.
