Residents Protest Late-Night Hours of Rolling Meadows Festival

Residents of Lower Styx Road are expressing their discontent regarding the upcoming Rolling Meadows festival, scheduled to run from December 29, 2025, to January 1, 2026. The festival, which will feature over 80 local and international acts across four stages, is set to operate from noon until 2 a.m. each day, prompting a petition from concerned community members for reduced hours.

Betty Chapman, a local resident, articulated the community’s position, stating, “We are not against concerts if they’re held during normal hours.” She detailed concerns about the loud music continuing into the early hours, saying, “We’re going to hear that booming bass all night.” The festival, which has drawn up to 7,000 attendees in previous years when hosted in Waipara, North Canterbury, is moving to a new 62-hectare site at 240 Lower Styx Rd for this year’s event.

Chapman mentioned that out of approximately 30 properties affected by the festival, a core group of eight neighbors are particularly worried. The potential for noise pollution and disruption is compounded by concerns about traffic, as Chapman noted, “We’re going to have up to 10,000 people in the area on a very narrow two-lane road.” This issue is further complicated by the annual New Year’s Day gala at nearby Spencerville, which could exacerbate traffic congestion.

The community’s dissatisfaction stems in part from a perceived lack of consultation. Chapman recounted an interaction with a festival organizer who visited her home while she was away. “I was told that no one else had complained and they were the only ones,” she said. This lack of engagement has left residents feeling unheard and anxious about the implications of the festival.

In an effort to address concerns, concert organizers have proposed compensatory measures, including offering alternative accommodation for residents during the festival. They plan to hire personnel to manage street patrols, waste disposal, and security. Still, Chapman expressed skepticism, stating, “We don’t want to be away from our homes. Our properties won’t be safe, we won’t be safe.”

Chapman and her neighbors have sought assistance from local officials, including Coastal Ward city councillor Celeste Donovan. During a meeting that drew around 30 attendees, residents voiced their apprehensions regarding the festival’s impact on their lives. Many moved to the area for its peaceful environment, and the prospect of a major event disrupting that tranquility has left them feeling frustrated.

Preparations for the festival site are already underway, despite the fact that resource consent has not yet been granted. Mark Stevenson, the council’s head of planning and consents, confirmed that the council is currently reviewing a revised proposal for the festival. He stated that the review process is ongoing and dependent on receiving further information from the event organizers.

The festival’s lineup is expected to be announced on Monday, but as of now, the residents remain on edge about the potential changes to their community dynamics. Organizers of the Rolling Meadows festival could not be reached for comment regarding the ongoing concerns expressed by residents.