HAWKE’S BAY, Today: Back for another round with the Hastings Meatball Festival returning on Friday 6 March 2026, following a huge debut year and introducing an expanded format and fresh celebrity chef firepower.
Running from 5pm to 8.30pm, the festival will again take over the Hastings CBD, featuring three Auckland restaurateurs alongside local talent, serving up creative meatball takes from classic to completely unexpected.
Ben Bayly returns for year two, aiming to reclaim the One New Zealand People’s Choice award after losing out to Peter Gordon in 2025, adding a competitive edge to this year’s line-up.
Joining him is Baduzzi’s Michael Dearth, a first-time meatballer with decades of Italian tradition behind him, alongside Glen File, executive chef of Gilt Brasserie and Onslow.
Hastings District Council Mayor Wendy Schollum says she’s delighted to welcome the award-winning festival back after its standout first year.
“Hastings District is synonymous with meatballs and it’s fantastic to see visitors and members of our community out in force to taste-test so many of the amazing variations both our guest chefs and local foodies come up with,” she says.
““I loved being a part of the action last year – and for many months following, people would tell me they’d had an unbelievaball time at our festival.” – Wendy Schollum, Hastings District Council Mayor
“I loved being a part of the action last year – and for many months following, people would tell me they’d had an unbelievaball time at our festival.”
Tickets are available now for $10 plus booking fee, with children under 12 free, as organisers prepare for another lively night of food, music, DJs, games and exclusive meatball merchandise. “It’s a fully whānau-friendly event.”
Ahead of the festival, organisers will unveil the official ‘Ball of Fame’, with this year’s winning creation set to sit alongside Peter Gordon’s 2025 panel.
“I’m confident one of our local crews will take it out!” predicts Wendy. “From prawn balls to chickpea, wagyu to wild game, to our much-loved traditional crumbed beef ball, we have something for every appetite.”
Adding to the buzz, The New Zealand Food Story will film at the festival for an upcoming series, shining a national spotlight on Hastings’ much-loved meatball moment.
With 15,000 meatballs sold last year and capacity limited, early tickets are strongly recommended at www.hastingsmeatballfestival.co.nz.
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