Who we are
The Mahurangi Winter Festival of Lights Incorporated Society is a volunteer-led community organisation responsible for delivering the annual Mahurangi Winter Festival of Lights in Warkworth.
For over seven years, the festival has grown into one of the community’s most anticipated events, bringing people together during the winter season through a free, family-friendly experience.
Established as an Incorporated Society in 2025, the organisation now operates under a formal governance structure to support the continued growth and sustainability of the festival. With a strong focus on community connection, accessibility, and regional activation, the festival is delivered by a dedicated team of volunteers, supported by local businesses, sponsors, and funding partners.
How it all started
The Mahurangi Winter Festival of Lights is the brainchild of Murray Chapman and local radio host Brent Harbour. Recognising there was little happening in the Mahurangi area during the winter months, the idea for a mid-winter community event was born over a coffee.
With support from local organisations such as Lions and Rotary, and alongside their day jobs, Murray and Brent brought together a passionate group of volunteers to bring the festival to life.
The first festival was held in 2018 as a one-day event, with the Laser Light Show as the main attraction and approximately 3,000 people attending.
In 2019, the Parade of Lights was introduced, quickly becoming a festival highlight. While the event did not run in 2020 due to Covid, it returned in 2021 over two nights, with attendance more than doubling since its launch.
Since then, the festival has continued to grow into a much-loved annual community event, attracting increasing audiences each year and becoming a highlight of the local calendar.
Our people
Executive Team
Murray Chapman – Chair. “My vision is to grow the festival into a regional event that brings people together and creates something new for the community each year, while keeping it accessible for families.”
Robyn Kellian – Secretary & Deputy Chair. “I love bringing all the moving parts together behind the scenes to create an event the whole community can enjoy.”
Richard Hutchinson – Treasurer. “I’m proud to support the festival by ensuring strong financial management that helps it grow sustainably for years to come.”
Committee Members
Claire-Marie Blair, Brent Harbour, Clyde Tukaiora Connell, Ines Roberts, John Peel, Peter Henderson, Rachel Callender, along with a wider network of valued contributors and supporters.
Brent Harbour – Co-Founder. “I love being part of something that brings people into town during winter and creates a free or low-cost experience for families to enjoy.”
Governance & Capability
The Mahurangi Winter Festival of Lights Incorporated Society operates under a structured governance model led by an experienced volunteer committee. The Executive Team provides oversight across strategic planning, financial management, and operational delivery, ensuring the festival is delivered safely, sustainably, and in line with community expectations.
Collectively, the committee brings a broad range of skills including event management, communications and marketing, financial oversight, stakeholder engagement, and compliance. This depth of capability supports effective planning, risk management, and delivery of a large-scale community event.
The organisation has a proven track record of successfully delivering the festival over multiple years, demonstrating strong financial responsibility, strong community support, and the ability to leverage partnerships, sponsorship, and volunteer effort to achieve positive outcomes.
Community & Volunteers
Like any successful community event, the Mahurangi Winter Festival of Lights relies heavily on volunteers.
Behind the scenes, volunteers contribute across all aspects of the festival — from fundraising and sponsorship to booking attractions, meeting compliance requirements, coordinating logistics, marketing and promotions, and event delivery.
This collective effort is what makes the festival possible, and we are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of our volunteers, partners, and wider community.