The Coromandel has lost one of its biggest annual summer drawcards, with Greenstone Entertainment announcing today that the 2026 Summer Concert Tour stop originally scheduled for Whitianga will move to Auckland’s Spark Arena.
The decision comes after strong public feedback about the Whitianga concert being scheduled for Monday, January 26 — the day after Auckland Anniversary Weekend — a timing many fans said made attending difficult due to travel pressures, work commitments, and the heavy holiday traffic leaving the peninsula.
In response, organisers have shifted the Coromandel date to Thursday, January 29 at Spark Arena, ensuring what they describe as “a wider audience” is able to enjoy the blockbuster 2026 line-up: Iggy Pop, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, Hoodoo Gurus, and Zed. (Note: Hoodoo Gurus will not be performing at the Auckland show.)
Greenstone CEO Amanda Calvert said the decision was not taken lightly.
“We have been blown away by the reaction to legendary artists Iggy Pop and Joan Jett and The Blackhearts being confirmed for our 2026 line-up,” she said.
“We especially value the feedback of our Greenstone members and fans who have supported us for 16 years. While it has been a difficult decision not to proceed with the Whitianga concert, we have listened and look forward to many more fans getting to see this legendary lineup in Auckland.”
The Summer Concert Tour has long been one of the region’s most lucrative events, drawing thousands of visitors to Whitianga. Local accommodation providers, hospitality businesses, retail stores, and tourism operators traditionally experience a significant boost from concert-goers who make a long weekend of the event.
With the show now relocating to Auckland, the Coromandel stands to miss out on a major influx of out-of-town spending during the late-January shoulder of the holiday season and flow-on benefits for transport operators, attractions, and local vendors.
The timing — after the Auckland Anniversary long weekend — already posed challenges for crowd numbers, but the move will nonetheless be felt in a region still working to rebuild steady tourism patterns after recent weather events, road closures, and infrastructure disruptions.
Several Whitianga businesses contacted today expressed disappointment, noting the concert has reliably filled beds, cafes, and bars during a quieter post-peak window. Some said they understood the logistical pressures on concert-goers but hoped Whitianga would return to the tour in future years.
Revised 2026 Tour Schedule
- Taupō Amphitheatre — Saturday, January 24
- Auckland, Spark Arena — Thursday, January 29 (replacing Whitianga)
- Wānaka, Three Parks Outdoor Arena — Saturday, January 31
Ticket Options
Tickets for the new Auckland date go on sale today at greenstoneentertainment.co.nz.
Patrons who already purchased Whitianga tickets can transfer their tickets to either the Auckland show or Taupō at no cost, or request a refund. All ticket holders will be contacted directly.
