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Are You Protected If That Expensive Concert Is Cancelled?
Krystal Gibbens, Journalist
Concert-goers have seen a spate of concerts and festivals being cancelled or changed around the country in the last few months.
Late last year it was confirmed Bay Dreams, once the country's biggest music festival, will not go ahead in 2025.
Last year summer music festival Nest Fest was also cancelled after four artists pulled out.
So what are your rights if a concert or festival is cancelled?
Consumer NZ said if an event you had purchased tickets to was cancelled you were entitled to a refund.
Senior investigative writer Chris Schulz said the Fair Trading Act also covered date or headliner changes.
Last year furious customers demanded refunds from Eden Fest in Auckland after some of its headliners pulled out.
Schulz said Consumer considered this a change to the contract between buyer and seller.
"We believe that if you've bought a ticket to a show to like a festival saying there's a bunch of acts and you've bought it for the main act, the headliner, and that headliner drops out, then you are entitled to a refund."
Meanwhile in October last year those travelling to rapper Travis Scott were hit with exorbitant travel and accommodation costs after the event organiser brought the concert forward a day just a week out from the Eden Park concert.
Juicy Fest also cancelled most of its New Zealand locations after not being able to obtain the licences it needed.
Although the tickets were covered under the Fair Trading Act, Consumer NZ said whether people were entitled to travel and accommodation costs depended on the seller's liability under the Consumers Guarantees Act.
"If they've breached one of the guarantees, you may be entitled to claim for any reasonably foreseeable consequential losses. If not, a seller probably isn't required to compensate you for other costs like accommodation or airfares," Consumer advises on its website.
People could also buy travel insurance or ticket cover from vendors such as Ticketmaster and Ticketek.
Schulz said ticket cover could be a handy way to cover you in the event of an emergency.
He said with concert tickets also going on sale well in advance of the event it could also provide some reassurance.
"A lot can happen in a year," he said.
"If you're gonna be moving or if you're worried about something like that happening, just check and see if that's covered."
But he said people did need to read the terms and conditions closely to ensure they were covered for what they thought they were.
RNZ
New Zealand's public broadcaster, providing comprehensive NZ news and current affairs, specialist audio features and documentaries.
Radio New Zealand is a Crown entity established under the Radio New Zealand Act 1995. Radio New Zealand News are vital elements in our programming, providing impartial news and information to New Zealanders every day. Radio New Zealand (RNZ) provides listeners with exciting and independent radio programmes in accordance with the Radio New Zealand Charter.
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