Bayleys Tussock Country - New Zealand’s Country Music Festival is a beloved annual celebration of music, rural life, and community spirit, held over ten days in late May and early June in Gore, Eastern Southland. Set against the backdrop of Aotearoa’s rural heartland, the festival brings together the local community and country music fans from across the nation for a vibrant programme of over 70 events.
From toe-tapping performances and songwriting showcases to family-friendly entertainment and hearty southern hospitality, Bayleys Tussock Country is more than just a music festival - it’s a full immersion into the culture and camaraderie of rural New Zealand.
Among its standout events is our very own Country Music Honours, a prestigious evening that celebrates the craft of songwriting and the talent of recording artists in the country music genre. Presented by the New Zealand Songwriters Trust in partnership with APRA AMCOS, the Honours are a highlight of the festival, combining the MLT Songwriting Awards and long-running Country Music Awards into a single night of excellence and storytelling through song.
Also woven into the festival fabric are iconic events like the MLT New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards - one of New Zealand’s most well-known country music competitions - and the quirky, much-loved Freeze Ya Bits Off Busking Competition, which brings warmth, humour, and live music to the streets of Gore.
Bayleys Tussock Country proudly supports dozens of community organisations, showcases the talents of hundreds of performers, and welcomes thousands of attendees each year. With its warm hospitality, rich heritage, and passion for music, the festival captures everything that’s special about Southland and celebrates the enduring spirit of country music in Aotearoa.
