Auckland’s Laneway Festival has apologised after its application to host 16- and 17-year-olds was rejected, meaning those aged under 18 will have their ticket refunded.
The festival released its 2025 dates and venues earlier this year, with the Auckland leg confirmed to return to Western Springs on February 6, headlined by British pop star Charli XCX.
In a post to Instagram today, Laneway shared the “unfortunate news” that tickets already purchased by under-18s would be refunded after the Auckland District Licensing Committee last week rejected its application for 16- and 17-year-olds to be able to attend.
“We worked closely with Police, Alcohol Licensing Inspectors, and the Medical Officer of Health, in good faith throughout the application process and did not anticipate this disappointing outcome.”
Laneway said the decision came as a surprise following the “safe and successful inclusion of 16+ patrons at Laneway Festival 2024”.
“We were looking forward to providing younger audiences with the opportunity to access great live music and are truly sorry this won’t be possible at the 2025 event.”
In a statement, a Laneway Festival spokesperson told 1News the country’s licensing landscape “has evolved in recent months, with a heightened level of scrutiny and responsibility placed on event organisers to address alcohol-related harms”.
“While alcohol service has always been a secondary component of Laneway Festival, and despite the absence of any significant issues involving under-18 attendees at the 2024 event, concerns were raised regarding the event’s format — a multi-stage festival operating over 9.5 hours — and its perceived suitability for younger audiences.”
Laneway acknowledged the lengthy and complex process involved to apply for the licence.
“Unfortunately, these timelines do not always align with the operational and marketing requirements of events such as ours. Despite initiating engagement as early as possible, and making every effort to comply with the process, we proceeded with our ticket sales timeline based on the precedent set by our successful 2024 event.”
The festival’s organisers said they shared the “frustration expressed by our attendees and wider stakeholders regarding this outcome”, adding that they were “disappointed by the decision and its impact”.
“For those who have already booked travel or accommodation, we recommend seeking refunds or credits where possible, or alternatively, maintaining their plans to visit Auckland and enjoy all the city has to offer.
“We remain committed to fostering a positive, safe, and vibrant festival experience and hope to continue working with all relevant stakeholders to address concerns and find a pathway forward for future events that can welcome 16+ attendees.”
Ruined birthdays, Christmas presents
Upset ticket-holders took to social media to share their frustrations over the change, with some commenting that they had already paid for flights and accommodation for the event.
“Thank you for ruining this for all of my friends and I,” one person wrote.
Another said: “People have paid for flights, accommodation. This has been people’s birthdays and Christmas presents, and only releasing this news five days before Christmas!! So ridiculous!! How unfair.”
The festival said refunds would be processed between January 6 and January 18, 2025 due to the holiday shutdown period.
“Please be patient with us while we work through this process with them.”
