The Ōhiwa Oyster Festival is back, bringing a full day of seafood, music, and coastal celebration to Port Ōhope Wharf, and organisers say the weekend event is set to be a major step up.

Hosted by Tio Ōhiwa, the festival will take place tomorrow from 11.30am to 5pm, marking the start of the oyster harvest season and showcasing the very best of the Eastern Bay’s food, talent, and community.

Building on the success of last year’s event, which drew strong crowds and industry attention, organisers have focused on refining the experience for 2026 – with a tighter programme, elevated food offering, and an entertainment line-up designed to create a seamless, high-quality day out.

“We learnt a lot from our first and second festival, especially with the large crowd it drew,” said Olivia Geddes, festival director.

“This year is all about elevating the experience, better flow, stronger programming, and really leaning into what makes Ōhiwa special.”

Festivalgoers can expect a packed line-up of live music throughout the day, featuring the likes of House of Shem, Maisey Rika, TAYLAH and Shelley Akuhata.

Alongside the music, the festival will also feature a dedicated chef demonstration stage, headlined by MasterChef NZ winners Kasey and Karena Bird, who will be showcasing dishes inspired by the moana and sharing the stories behind their kai.

At the heart of the festival is, of course, the oysters – freshly harvested from Ōhiwa Harbour and served in a variety of styles, and food vendors putting their own spin on the shellfish.

Festivalgoers will be able to vote for their favourite oyster dish, with bragging rights on the line for the best in the bay.

They’ll be joined by a range of food vendors, as well as drinks from Mata Beer, Herringbone Wines, and Matahui Gin Distillery.

One of the most anticipated moments of the day is the return of the Ōhiwa Oyster Festival’s Kelly Hayes Shucking Competition, where competitors will battle it out to see who can open oysters the fastest – and whether anyone can beat the reigning champion, Josh Yorke.

Also returning after its debut in 2025 is the Ōhiwa Oyster Queen Competition, a lighthearted, crowd-favourite event celebrating personality, confidence, and a love for oysters.

Those keen to enter can find full details at www.ohiwaoysterfest.com

With an expected crowd of up to 2000 people, organisers are keen to showcase the event to locals and visitors to the area.

“We want this to be something the Eastern Bay can be proud of,” said Simon Geddes, Tio Ōhiwa co-director.

“It’s about celebrating our harbour, our people, and the incredible kai we have right here.”

Ōhiwa Oyster Festival 2026

• Where: Port Ōhope Wharf
• When: Saturday, May 16, 11.30am-5pm
• Tickets: www.ohiwaoysterfest.com