Decision Made

After considering extensive feedback, and reviewing Expressions of Interests applications, Council voted to continue managing the market in the CBD.

Trial location at Kuirau Park

After more than 15 years in the central city, we trialed a different location for the Rotorua Night Market. From Thursday 9 October 2025 to the end of 2025, visitors and locals attended the vibrant Thursday Night Market at Kuirau Park.

During the 2025 Annual Plan decisions, Councillors directed the Chief Executive to investigate options for running the Market at an alternative location and/or through another operator to achieve these outcomes, with the aim of reducing costs to ratepayers. The Night Market has previously cost $200,000 per year to run.

The feedback from the community helped Council assess the impact of a location change and inform Council’s decision about the future of the Rotorua Night Market.

Five detailed options for the future of the Night Market were provided to Council mid-February 2026, each with their own analysis of costs, risks, running options, vendor viability, management levels and community benefits.

After considering extensive community, vendor and local business feedback on location trials, and reviewing applications from potential external operators through an Expressions of Interests process, Council voted to keep market management inhouse, with the implementation of further operational efficiencies to improve financial sustainability and reduce the cost to rate payers. Read the full media release here

Feedback

A total of 372 responded to the survey. Here is a snapshot of who took part in the survey and how people reported currently using the Night Market.

Follow the Rotorua Night Market on Facebook to keep up to date with what’s happening! @RotoruaNightMarket

The Rotorua Night Market's being held in Tutanekai St

The Rotorua Night Market being held at the Tūtānekai Street location.

Timeline

  • Timeline item 1 - complete

    New trial location start

    9 October 2025

  • Timeline item 2 - complete

    Survey open

    13 November 2025

  • Timeline item 3 - complete

    Survey closed

    30 November 2025

  • Timeline item 4 - complete

    Trial location ends

    December 2025

  • Timeline item 5 - complete

    Decision

    Feb 2026