Trial location at Kuirau Park

After more than 15 years in the central city, we’re trialling a move of the Rotorua Night Market. Starting Thursday 9 October 2025, visitors and locals will be able to enjoy the vibrant Thursday Night Market at Kuirau Park.

This trial aims to investigate the cost implication of moving the Night Market, as directed by Councillors during the 2025 Annual Plan, with the aim of reducing costs to ratepayers. The Night Market has previously cost $200,000 per year to run. We want to get the community's feedback on the trial location to help us assess the impact of a location change and inform decisions about the future of the Rotorua Night Market.

Vendors, customers and community members can follow this project by clicking the "Follow" button at the top of this page. By following this page, you will receive an invite to provide feedback after the market has been running for a few weeks.

What's changing and what's not

While the location and opening hours (4pm - 8pm) will be different, the delicious food, great shopping and awesome local tunes will remain the same. The Rotorua Night Market team and all your favourite vendors are looking forward to seeing you at Kuirau Park from Thursday 9 October 2025.

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

The Rotorua Night Market's previous location

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

Why we're running this trial

During Council's annual planning process, elected members asked the Chief Executive to investigate options for running the Market at an alternative location and/or through another operator to achieve these outcomes.

Following the announcement of the location change we received feedback from the public and other stakeholders via social media and direct contact. In response to some of these concerns and discussions with Rotary North, we have decided to adjust the location of the Night Market within Kuirau Park. We will be locating the Rotorua Night Market in the paved area further along Kuirau Street closer to the foot pools (in the old location of the Saturday market). This new trial site provides a more united central market, with all vendors being close together, and the proximity to facilities like toilets and playgrounds close at hand. This location also leaves the carpark closer to Pukuatua Street available and reduces the need to clear this carpark in advance of the market.