Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 49th Auckland Folk Festival in 2022 was cancelled.

The Eastern, Troy Kingi, Delaney Davidson & Barry Saunders, The Black Quartet, Jenny Mitchell, BEING, The Harmonic Resonators, Gerry Paul, Aro, Looking For Alaska, Sadie & Jay, Liddiard and Louise, John Sutherland, Raylee Bradfield, ETHNO Aotearoa, Polytropos, Songs from the Old Country, Shimna’s List, Rough Town, Rhubarb, Gavin & Cara

Tim O’Brien and Jan Fabricius (USA), Rosier (CAN), Keeva (IRE/NZ), Andy Irvine (IRE), Pauline Scanlon Band (IRE), Faustus (UK), Tattletail Saints (USA/NZ), Scott Cook (CAN), Ebony Lamb (NZ), You, Me Everybody (NZ), Gordie Tentrees (CAN), Mark Laurent (NZ), ETHNO Aotearoa, AK Samba, Grawlixes, Rough Town, Cricket Farm, Celtic Ferret, Claudia Robin Gunn, Little Ripples, Gavin and Cara, Foxtrots, Rhubarb.

With special guest Delaney Davidson, presented by APRA.

Guests: Irish Mythen (CAN), Lindsay Lou (USA), The Maes (AUS), Virelai (DNK), Sophie & Fiachra (IRE/CAN), Finn Andrews (NZ/UK), Holly Arrowsmith, The Jews Brothers Band, The Nukes, Fables, Rhodeworks, Danny Priestley, Bernie Griffen & The Thin Men, Candice Milner, Mike Harding, Nigel Parry, OrigiNZ

Tui Award for Best Folk Artist 2019 was awarded to The Frank Burkitt Band. The Frank Winter Award was presented to Dominic Rowsell. Tami Neilson appeared courtesy of AMCOS APRA.

Guests: The East Pointers (CAN), The Lonely Heartstring Band (USA), Nadia Reid, Esther Swift (SCO), Ravens, Huw Williams (UK), T-Bone Trio , Klezmer Rebs, Alan Reid (SCO), The Deadbeats, Reverie, Ys, OrigiNZ, Krissy Jackson, Neil Billington, The Old Time Rags (UK), The Bollands, Singing Nations Choir, Taiwan Joy dance, La Bourree dance, Tamlin , Rhubarb.

Tui Award for Best Folk Artist 2018 was awarded to Albi & The Wolves for their album ‘One Eye Open’. The Frank Winter Award was presented to Oliver Bramah. Adam McGrath appeared courtesy of AMCOS APRA.

The first iteration of a Kids Stage and area was created in the newly formed Marcus Turner Domain.

Guests: Don McGlashan (NZ), Four Winds (IRE), Dave Khan, Adam McGrath, Kirsty Bromley (ENG), Frank Burkitt Band, WAI.TAI, Jon Sanders, The Dave Alley Band, Black Joak Morris Dancers (AUS), Eyreton Hall, Shimna’s List, Great North, Rachel Dawick, The Stove, Supersheep, Renacer en Auckland Chilean folk group.

Tui Award for the Best Folk Album of the Year was awarded to Guy Wishart for his album, ‘West by North’.  The Frank Winter Award was presented to Rhode Works. Gerry Paul appeared courtesy of AMCOS APRA for the Songwriter Speaks Session.

A new marquee stage was introduced, dubbed the Village Stage, to accommodate the extended lineup.

Guests: Martin and Eliza Carthy (UK), Dan Walsh (UK), Mustered Courage (AUS), Gillian Boucher and Bob McNeill (NZ), Albi and the Wolves (NZ), Chris Priestley and Unsung Heroes (NZ), Donna Dean (NZ), the Bollands (NZ), Britannic Bedlam Morris Gentlemen (NZ). Mel Parsons appeared courtesy of AMCOS APRA for the Songwriter Speaks Session. The Frank Winter Award was presented to Adam Ogel. The festival was held over Waitangi weekend and it poured all day Saturday. A new marquee was added for blackboard concerts. An alternate line-up was added this year to showcase up and coming groups and included: Tweed, Jon Sanders, Bernie Griffen and the Thin Men, Paper Cranes, Eyreton Hall, Ton Cunliffe, Glass Boat.

The Tui Award for the Best Folk Album of the Year was presented to Holly Arrowsmith for her album, “For the Weary Traveler’.

Dance display guests Niue Youth Network and the Britannic Bedlam Morris Gentlemen.

Guests: Reg Meuross (UK), Other Roads (UK), Into the East (NZ), The Remarkables (NZ), The Nukes (NZ), Federal String Band (NZ).

The Tui Award for the Folk Album of the Year was presented to Great North. Tama Waipara appeared courtesy of AMCOS APRA for the Songwriters Speaks Session. The Frank Winter Award was presented to Shimna Higgins. The festival implemented a recycling program this year. The Damper Inn made it’s debut as a running open mic venue.

Dance display guests Dutch Club Auckland and Danish Club Auckland.

Guests: Ned Clamp and Pat Smith (UK), Dan Walsh (UK), 10 String Symphony (Rachel Baimen and Christian Sedelmyer USA), Mark Mazengarb (NZ), Penman, McNeill, Alley (NZ), Tamlin (NZ). The Tui Award for the Folk Album of the Year was presented to Tattletale Saints. Anika Moa appeared courtesy of APRA for the Songwriters Speaks Session. The Frank Winter Award was presented to Victoria Vigenser.

Dance display guests Allemande Joy Contra Dancers (USA) and Romanian Doina Folk Dance group.

As this was the 40th anniversary of the festival, all of the guests were from New Zealand! A special Saturday night concert highlighted the past, present, and the future of the festival.

Guests: Martin Curtis, Pacific Curl, The Chaps, The Pipi Pickers, Al and Beverly Young, and Amiria Grenell. Don McGlashan made a special appearance as a part of Songwriters Speaks series sponsored by APRA. The Tui Award for the Folk Album of the Year was presented to Great North. The Frank Winter Award was presented to the Chias.

Dance display guests Bulgarian Roses, Rhythm Cloggers and Taiwan Joy Dancers.

Guests: Danny Spooner (Aust), Grasshoppers (UK), Erin-Cole Baker (USA/NZ), Cy Winstanley and Vanessa Evelyn (UK/NZ), Big Muffin Serious Band (Hamilton, NZ), Wires and Wood (Auckland, NZ). The Tui Award for the Folk Album of the Year was presented to Amiria Grenell. The Frank Winter Memorial Award was presented to John McCauley.

Dance display guests Renacer en Auckland Chilean folk group and City of Auckland Morris Dancers.

Guests: Steve Turner (England), Diane Ponzio (USA), Appalachian Heaven (AUS), Emeralds and Greenstone (NZ), Sanders Alley Khan (Ireland, NZ), and Too Far Gone (NZ). Also featuring The Incredible Gaidhealtachd Ceilidh Band. Tui Award for the Folk Album of the Year was presented to Wires and Wood. The Frank Winter Memorial Award was presented to the Holy Cross School in memory of their late music teacher and a dear friend of many in the folk scene, Jane Fromont. The award will help the year 7 and 8 syndicate attend their annual camp.

Guests: Stefan Grossman (USA), Emily Smith (Scotland), Coolgrass (AUS), Mary Kippenberger (NZ), Forbidden Joe (NZ), and Rhonda and the Ravers (NZ).

The Tui Award for the Best Folk Album was presented to Chris Prowse. The Frank Winter Memorial Award was presented to Grace Foote, Emily Roughton, and Kathleen Wojcik of the band ‘Fiddlelore’.

Guests: Jez Lowe and Kate Bramley (England), Sandy Brechin and Ronan Martin (Scotland), The Wheeze and Suck Band (Australia), SONiA (USA), Marcus Turner (Dunedin-NZ), Gumboot Tango (NZ-Taranaki), Fiddlelore (Whangarei-NZ). Also featuring Tamlin (Auckland-NZ).

Tui Award for the Folk Album of the Year presented to Delgirl. The Frank Winter Memorial Award was presented to Kirsty and Claire Robertson.

Guests: David Wilcox (USA), Bob Fox (England), Habbadam (Sweden/Denmark), Carol Bean (Wellington), Pacific Curls (Aotearoa), Jean Reid (Auckland) and also featuring The Penman Family (Hamilton), Nick Burfield (Wellington).


Tui Award for Folk Album of the Year presented to Phil Garland Frank Winter Memorial Award presented to Mark Mazengarb.

Guests: Compadres (Canada); Aardvark Ceilidh Band (England); Cloudstreet (Australia); Streetworthy (England); Lorina Harding (Canterbury); CopperKin (Hamilton).

Tui Award for Folk Album of the Year presented to Ben the Hoose (Bob McNeil and Kenny Ritchie). Terence O’Neil Joyce withdrew from sponsorship of the Frank Winter Memorial Award and this was taken over by the festival. Presented to Frances Dickinson.

Guests: Nancy Kerr & James Fagan (England); Doch (Australia), Bron Ault-Connell (Australia), The Chaps (Dunedin), Glor na mBan (Wellington, Owen Hugh (Auckland). Mini guest appearances by Pete Grassby (England) and Shellback Chorus (England).

Tui award for Folk Album of the Year presented to Lorina Harding Frank Winter Memorial Award presented to Catherine (B.B.) Bowness.

Guests: Alistair Hulett (Scotland); Totally Gourdgeous (Australia); Les Barker (England); Martin Curtis (Otago); Helena Triplett (Hamilton); Al Young & Neil Finlay (Auckland); Clare Senior (Auckland).

Tui award for the Folk Album of the Year presented to Bob McNeil. Frank Winter Memorial Award was initiated, sponsored by Terence O’Neil Joyce in the sum of $1,000. To nurture and encourage the musical talents of young performers – the first award was presented to Dianne Mickelson.

Guests: David LaMotte (USA), Colcannon (Australia), Pete Grassby (UK), Bob Bickerton (Nelson), Green Ginger (Whangarei), JamesRAy Still (Hibiscus Coast) Mini Guest appearances by SONiA (USA) and Enda Kenny (Australia) who both performed a concert in the Mill and SONiA hosted a children’s session.

This was the first year that the “Tui” award for Folk Album of the Year, organized by RIANZ, was presented at the final concert of the Auckland Folk Festival. Won by Brendan Montgomery and Mike Considine, the award was announced and presented by Terence O’Neil Joyce of RIANZ.

Guests: Brian Peters (England), Grada (Ireland), Ellen McIlwaine (U.S.A.), Margret RoadKnight (Australia), Mick Sibley (Auckland), Jo Taylor (Auckland), Joan Prior (Wellington). Mini Guest appearances by Pete Grassby (England), Brian Kelly (Ireland), Bob McNeill (Dunedin).

These people performed a concert in the Mill and a workshop and Pete Grassby also played (with an ad hoc festival band) and called the Saturday Night Ceilidh.

Guests: Pete Coe (England), Les Barker(England), Rua(Christchurch), Roger White (Auckland), The Revelators(Auckland), SIONiA (USA), Angela Fox (Scotland).

No songwriting competition – a Songwriters’ Concert was hosted by Pete Collier.

Guests: Colin Ross & Ray Fisher (England); Elle Osborne (England); Bluegrass Parkway (Australia); Lindsey Shields (Dunedin); Blue Bottom Stompers (Auckland) Late Harvest (Auckland).

A Songwriters’ Forum was held instead of the Songwriting Competition.

Guests: Andy Irvine (Ireland); Tony Ellis & The Musicians of Braeburn (USA); Annie Patterson & Peter Blood (USA); Paul Ubana Jones (Canterbury); Bantam of the Opera (Christchurch); The Jews Brothers Band (Auckland); Florabunda (Auckland); Lothlorien (Auckland).

Songwriting Competition won by Pete Collier.

Guests: Waterson:Carthy (Martin Carthy, Norma Waterson, Eliza Carthy & Saul Rose) – from England, Keith Kendrick (England); Enda Kenny & Lindsay Martin (Australia); Paul Carr (Australia); Winnie Winston (USA via Wellington); Mike Harding; Hamilton County Bluegrass; Mark Laurent & Brenda Liddiard.

And a special festival appearance by young Wellington band, Crannog, who played for a dance on Friday evening and did a one hour concert in The Mill.

Songwriting Competition was won by Monika McGee.

Guests: Kinlochard Ceilidh Band from Scotland Bernard Bolan (Australia); Donald Barnes (morris dancer from Australia); Bush Telegraph (Phil Garland, Heather Mitchell & Liz Merton); Kokomo Blues with special guest Marg Layton; John Hayday.

Special 25th Anniversary Concert held in Festival Marquee compered by Frank Winter and featuring a selection of guests from previous festivals.

Songwriting Competition was won by Debbie Gillanders. Runner-up was Dan Bergin.

Guests: Jennifer & Hazel Wrigley, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer (USA) making their second festival appearance; Kristina Olsen (USA); Jimmy Cook Band; Gavin Asher; Terry Free.

Special British Tradition Concert staged to celebrate British Council’s 50th anniversary in New Zealand – attended by Paul Smith, Director of the British Council.

Songwriters’ Competition reinstated, organised by Bob Lovell. Winner was Roger White with “Old Loom, New Skein.” Runner-up was Brenda Lydiard.

Guests: Jez Lowe Geoff & Liz Bowen (fiddler & dance caller from England); Difficult Women (Linn Van Hek & Joe Dolce from Australia); Windy City Strugglers; Gumboot Tango; Martha Louise; Al Young.

At the AGM on 1st May 1996 Auckland Bluegrass Club was voted in as financial members of Auckland Folk Festival Inc. From this date full financial membership consisted of Devonport Folk Music Club, Titirangi Folk Music Club, Tir-Na-Nog Folk Music Club, Auckland Bluegrass Club and City of Auckland Morris Dancers.

Guests: Maire Ni Chathasaigh & Chris Newman; Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer; Rory McLeod; Chris Green; Marion Arts; Dave Murphy; Gumdiggers Bush Band.

Guests: Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick; Kath Tait; The Chaps; Beverley Young; The Rainmen; The Vintage Jazz Band. With special festival appear- ances by Lorina Harding, Bob Davenport, Gordon Johnson & Celia Briar.

Guests: Calennig; Alistair Hulett; Three Bites of the Apple; Debbie Gillanders; Neil Finlay; Robin Brew; Peter Mayes.

Songwriting Competition replaced with a Songwriters’ Forum & Concert.

Guests: Allan Taylor; Gordon McIntyre & Kate Delaney; Hamish Moore; Mona Williams and Bob Jones.

Fourth Annual Songwriting Competition won by Bob Lovell with “Plastic Man” Joint runners-up were Rudy Sunde and Dan Bergin. Judges were Allan Taylor, Mike Harding and Beverley Young.

Guests: Erig Bogle (with John Munro and Brent Miller); Martin Nolan (Uillean Pipes); Peter Mayes (English dancer); Mike & Carol Dee; plus special appearance by Sam Manzanza during the final concert.

Third Annual Songwriting Competition was won by Mary Campbell with “Missing”. Josie Campbell was runner-up with “Totara Berry”. Martha Louise and Althea Parry highly recommended. Judges were Eric Bogle, John Munro and Brent Miller. At the AGM on 14 May 1991 the English Traditional Dance Club resigned from the festival Due to prohibitive increases in site fees, 1991 was the last year at Knock-Na-Gree.

Guests: Margaret RoadKnight; High Country Bluegrass; Marcus Turner; Martin Curtis, with special guest appearance by Julie Felix during the final concert on Sunday evening.

Second Annual Songwriting Competition won by Josie Campbell with Martha Louise as runner-up. Judges were Martin Curtis, John Dodds of High Country Bluegrass and Beverley Young.

Guests: Rua; Doug Hudson; Graham Wardrop; Chris Penman & Mike Moroney.

First Annual Songwriting Competition won by Mike Harding with Martha Louise as runner-up. Judges Doug Hudson, Denny Stanway, Beverley Young and Ken Lee.

Guests: Eddie Walker; Iain Mitchell & Paul Yielder; John & Paddy Harte; Mike Harding.

First year with a marquee – hired to provide wet weather venue but proved invaluable in providing shade – hot and sunny all weekend.

Guests: Dougie McLean; Andrew, John & Lisa; Rua.

Second very wet weekend September 1987 – University Folk Club withdrew from festival due to wind-up of the club.

Guests: Bill Clifton, Martin Curtis, Barry McDonald, Bob Bickerton, Dave Kidd.

First very wet weekend.

Guests: Martin Carthy, Paul Metzers, Erik Illot and Bob Jones.

At the AGM on 7th May, Torbay Folk Club resigned from the festival due to the winding up of the club.

Guests: Vin Garbutt, Dennis & Lynn Tracey and Phil Garland.

Guests: Danny Spooner, Jody Webster and Tubby Reynolds 19th April 1983.

Poles Apart resigned from the Festival.

Guests: Marcus Turner, Mike Stanley & EPNS, Max Winnie & Nick Brown.

At a committee meeting held in February 1982 the majority of clubs agreed that the Festival should become an Incorporated Society.

The festival was registered as an Incorporated Society on 20 April 1982.

Guests: John Sutherland, Simon Burgess and Graham Wilson.

Tir-Na-N’og joined the organising committee.

Guests: Bob Webb & Jill King, Urban Renewal.

First year at Knock-Na-Gree, Oratia Organised by Poles Apart, Titirangi, Devonport and a consortium consisting of Torbay, Varsity, City of Auckland Morris Dancers and the Traditional Dance Club.

Guests: Marg Layton, Paul Metzers and Banish Misfortune.

Last year at Mollers Farm.

Guest: Dave De Hugard.

Guests: Colleen & Paul Trenwith, Paul Metzers and Kilderkin.

Guests: Mike Stanley & John Sutherland.

Guest: Phil Garland

Organised jointly by Poles Apart, Titirangi and Devonport Folk Clubs. Held at Mollers Farm.

Guests: Keith Finlayson, Frank Sillay, Malcolm Price, John Hayday, Paul Marks and Mitch Park.

Frank Winter organised a folk camp at Mollers Farm, Oratia.