New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards

Every year for the last 44 years Gore has hosted the MLT New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards. This event attracts artists from around the world and continues to grow in stature and popularity. [Detailed Event Info]

Audience levels reach over 5,000 and the entries in all sections and events total 700 competitors. Visitors to Gore leave with fond memories of the ‘Southern Hospitality’.

This year the festival begins with the Gore Young Ambassador show, Songwriting and the NZ Country Music Awards for the RIANZ Best Country Album and APRA Best Country Song finals then the week continues with a walk up concert and inductions into the MLT Hands of Fame Show.

Hokonui Fashion Design Awards

These Awards are firmly established as a key event on the national fashion calendar and continue to attract entries and interest from throughout New Zealand. [Detailed Event Info]

Since 1988 the MLT Hokonui Fashion Design Awards have been a competitive platform for all amateur designers, and have provided a valuable opportunity for both experienced and emerging participants to display their designs before a panel of high profile judges, and latterly audiences of over 1100 people.

A World Class Event ... not to be missed!

Freeze Ya Bits Off

Every year at Queen’s Birthday weekend, buskers take to the streets of Gore for literally the coolest busking competition in New Zealand. Freeze Ya Bits Off is one of the key events of Tussock Country, the New Zealand Country Music Festival, and is set to grow even more.

The event is proudly sponsored by the Mataura Licensing Trust and the Gore District Council and held over three days – Thursday to Saturday – with auditions and a grand finale street party. There is a total prize pool of more than $3000, with two prizes of $1000, so it's well worth freezing your bits off and entering this event!

Freeze Ya Bits Off: Registration:

​To be eligible to compete you must be registered. Registration before Queen’s Birthday weekend is online: Click on This Website Link to go directly to our registration page.

You can register on the day at the Gore Visitor Centre. Please be aware there are a limited number of spaces, so we encourage you to register early.

Categories and entry fee:

• Open Group - $30
• Open Individual - $15
• Under 14 Group - $10
• Under 14 Individual - $5
• Schools - free

Primary and Intermediate Schools competition:
Busking Auditions are held on Main Street and Irk Street, Gore. Thursday 28 May, 12 noon to 1.00pm.

All other categories:
Friday 29 May and Saturday 30 May, 11.00am to 1.00pm. Busking Finals are being held on Medway Street between The Thomas Green and Howl at the Moon on Saturday 30 May at 2.30pm.

Southern Shears

Mataura Licensing Trust Board Member Vince Aynsley presenting the prizes for the 2019 Southern Shears. [Detailed Event Info]
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Southland shearers and wool handlers showed they were a cut above the rest in the lower grades at the Gore Southern Shears last week. The woolhandling, held at the Hokonui Pavilion on Friday, had about 60 entries with top results from the Elers family, of Mataura.

Nova Kumeroa Elers won the senior final and Krome Elers won the junior final. In the shearing, Winton man Jade Maguire-Ratima won the senior final, Mataura shearer Tyson Crown won the intermediate final and Gore shearer Brodie Horrell won the junior final.

Hokonui Moonshine Festival

Join us for continuous music, heritage-themed food, craft beer and cider, Central Otago Wines and 'Old Hokonui' whiskey to add to the festival spirit. [Detailed Event Info]
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The festival’s unique location means that festival patrons can visit the onsite Arts and Heritage facilities free-of-charge on the day of the festival, including the Hokonui Moonshine Museum.

There are food stalls providing unique southern cuisine, themed around the moonshine story and period, and popular local and national musicians provide entertainment throughout the day.

MLT Songwriters Awards

No songwriter should miss this event. Experienced songwriters and guest artists share their knowledge about the craft of songwriting and how to get your music out there. [Detailed Event Info]
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This year’s lineup includes international artist Luke O’Shea and Southland artist Lachie Hayes, along with a representative from the NZ music industry.

The New Zealand Songwriters Trust was originally formed to run the MLT Songwriting Awards as part of the NZ Gold Guitar week. In 2011 a new relationships was formed with Recorded Music NZ and APRA to combine the MLT Songwriting Awards into one night of music, showcasing songwriters and recording artists. 

Jenny Mitchell won the Recorded Music NZ Best Country Music Artist | Te Kaipuoro Tuawhenua Toa Tui at the 2019 New Zealand Country Music Awards in Gore, New Zealand.

​Kerryn Fields won the Mataura Licensing Trust Songwriting Award after performing her song Mama against strong competition from Tami Neilson, Jenny Mitchell and Kendall Elise Todd.

Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner

Every year the Mataura Licensing Trust welcomes senior citizens from the region to enjoy a festive day and a complimentary Christmas dinner.

Friends come together during this special time of the year in Tapanui, Edendale, Wyndham, Tokanui, Mataura and Gore to talk, laugh, listen and to enjoy the companionship of others.

This is a very popular event and is attended by almost one thousand senior citizens every year.

High School Careers Expo

Mataura Licensing Trust is always looking for people who:

• Have a great attitude
• Are able to work as part of a team 
• Want to work in a community focused organisation
• Are open to listen and learn new skills.

To register your interest or to apply for a specific role, click the button below.

Register Interest/Apply For Job

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