CRAYFEST
-on hold
Crayfest Kaikōura celebrates the sustainability and seasonality of our precious taonga species, Crayfish.
Over the past months, it has been come noticeable that following the 2016 Kaikōura Earthquake damage may have occurred in the early stages of the crayfish lifecycle. This is only being seen now due to crayfish reaching adulthood between 7-10 years and we are witnessing a generational gap, through reduced number of crayfish of legal size this season.
The Kaikōura community has the privilege of being kaitiaki of our Marine area, and we have a responsibility to ensure that we look after our precious taonga species. For this reason, we will not be hosting Crayfest Kaikōura 2025.
Crayfest Kaikōura strongly holds sustainability and abundance for future generations as a key value to our celebration. To do this, we need to allow our marine environment to have time to relax and breathe with undue pressure. We are working with Kaikōura Marine Guardians to continue to research and monitor the fishery and looking at ways as a community that can continue to ensure abundance within our fishery and for the event returning in coming years.
We apologise to many who were excited about this year’s event, and we encourage you to visit Kaikōura and take a well rest break and rejuvenate like our crayfish. We invite you to discover the magic of our region — a place that stirs curiosity at every turn. Slow down, take your time, surf, swim, hike, cycle and enjoy our hospitality, or simply tune into the rhythms of nature.
THE CRAYFEST NUMBERS
Days
9
30+
Crayfish
DIshes
Venues
100
Legends
20
Crayfest Kaikoura it's in our name
Kai = "to eat food"
Koura = "crayfish"
Crayfest Kaikōura is a 9 Day Culinary Festival that celebrates Kaikōura’s most famous kaimoana, the Crayfish.
Held within hospitality businesses across Kaikōura, the aim of Crayfest is to make crayfish affordable, accessible and available to every taste and budget, while celebrating crayfish seasonality and to encourage sustainability through enjoying just a taste of crayfish, and sharing a cray amongst friends and family.
Events
In 2025 we will have a great line up of fantastic events such as, long lunches, supper clubs, cooking classes, live music, crays and cocktails and even a wine walk and much more! Find out more
Menu & Crayfest Vendors
Crayfest 2023 had a fantastic range of participating hospitality venues from food trucks to diners to fine dining with everything from Spring Rolls, Souvlaki, Eggs Benedict, Pizza, Pasta, Rolls, Wonton Soup, Craycakes, Bisque, Fritters, Omelettes and more! Find out more
2023 SPONSORS
Crayfest Kaikōura 2023 could not have been achieved without the incredible support from our sponsors
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