VOLUNTEER INFORMATION
Be a part of the Tussock Country team and volunteer for the festival!
Volunteer applications for 2026: APPLY HERE
Tussock Country attracts over 10,000 visitors from around New Zealand with more than 70 events, over 10 days at 20 different venues, there is plenty to entertain both locals and visitors alike.
In 2025, volunteers contributed over 10,000 hours to the country music celebrations in Gore at Kings Birthday weekend - and their contribution in 2026 is expected to be even more.
CURRENT VACANCIES
FESTIVAL MERCHANDISE TEAM MEMBER x 3 roles
Sell merchandise, set up merch store at St James Theatre, assist with the perfect patron experience!
As a merch team member, you will be the face of the festival’s retail experience, ensuring that all attendees have access to merchandise while providing excellent customer service. You will be responsible for the set up of the merch store and merchandise products at the St James Theatre based store, managing sales transactions, maintaining stock levels, and creating an engaging shopping environment for festival-goers. There will also be a lot of downtime, so bringing your books, knitting and hobby projects along will be just fine.
Requirements
- Own transport would be preferred, but not essential
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-energy environment
- Previous retail or customer service experience preferred
- Strong attention to detail and organisational skills
- Enthusiastic and positive attitude, with a passion for events and merchandise
- Ability to handle cash and use point-of-sale systems
- Ability to lift merchandise as required
- Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic festival setting
Time Commitment
Minimum of four hours per day, May 23rd - June 2nd 2025. This will be a job share role as the store will be open 10am - 4pm daily, plus evenings when festival events are on at St James Theatre, so shifts can be arranged to suit. Weekends and evenings required.
DOOR SALES TEAM MEMBER x 3 roles
Be the face of festival events! Greet people at the door, check tickets, sell tickets as required, assist with patron queries in a friendly, welcoming manner.
As a door sales team member, you will be the welcoming face for patrons at events. Responsible for opening the doors, checking and selling tickets, turning on heaters, having a quick whip around to ensure the venue is ready for hosting patrons etc.
Requirements
- Own transportation
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Self starting problem solver
- Previous retail or customer service experience preferred
- Strong attention to detail and organisational skills
- Enthusiastic and positive attitude, with a passion for being hospitable
- Ability to handle cash and use point-of-sale systems
- Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic festival setting
Time Commitment
Minimum of four hours per day, May 23rd - May 31st 2026. This will be a job share role as there are many festival events happening across multiple venues at once, so shifts can be arranged to suit. Weekends and evenings required. See roster.
Cash handling included, a background check will be required.
Perks of the role include getting to sit in on some of the hottest shows in town!
FLOATS & EFTPOS COORDINATOR
Manage cash floats and EFTPOS systems to support smooth payment processing across festival events.
Working from the festival’s central office, you will prepare and distribute floats, manage EFTPOS terminals, and reconcile cash following events. The role requires someone organised, trustworthy, and comfortable handling cash. You will work with the Festival Manager and Treasurer, sometimes alongside another team member and sometimes in sole charge.
This is could be job-share role across the festival period.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare and distribute cash floats
- Collect and reconcile floats after events
- Manage and maintain EFTPOS terminals
- Complete daily cash counts and reconciliation
- Prepare cash for bank deposits
- Report discrepancies to the Festival Manager or Treasurer
Requirements
- Trustworthy with strong attention to detail
- Good organisational skills
- Comfortable handling cash and payment systems
- Retail, finance, or bookkeeping experience preferred
- Able to work independently when required
- Positive, practical attitude
Time Commitment
The role operates during Tussock Country (22–31 May 2026), with daily responsibilities throughout the festival period.
Some pre-festival preparation of floats may be required, and occasional evening work may be needed following events to reconcile floats and payments.
This is a job-share position, with scheduling arranged to ensure coverage across festival days and evenings.
FESTIVAL WORKSHOP ASSISTANT
Assist and support various festival workshops
Support and assist committee member Lana to help workshops run smoothly across multiple locations around Gore during the festival. Assist with pre‑event prep, including gathering or purchasing materials, setting up rooms, and helping with AV and gear. On the day, you’ll meet and greet workshop hosts, help them get set up, and provide hands‑on support during workshops as needed.
Requirements
- Own transport
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-energy environment
- Experience with basic AV setup preferred
- Strong attention to detail and organisational skills
- Enthusiastic and positive attitude, with a passion for helping people
- Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic festival setting
Time Commitment
Approx 3-4 hours per day, May 23rd & 24th, and May 27 - May 30 2026. Some early morning (8am) setup required but times vary from morning to late afternoon. Additional time may be required to complete preparation tasks prior to workshops.
GORE HOST
Represent the festival and the Gore region! You’ll be the contact person for a variety of visiting VIPS – media, musicians and dignitaries.
Know where to get a great best cheese roll, print out a document and how to get to Miss Cocoas? If so, your local knowledge and nothing’s-a-problem personality will ensure visitors to Gore have a memorable experience for all the right reasons! Visitors will already have accommodation, you’ll just be their point of contact on arrival and should they need anything.
Requirements
- Well rounded, local knowledge of Gore.
- Own transportation
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Self starting problem solver
- Previous hospitality or customer service experience preferred
- Strong attention to detail and organisational skills
- Enthusiastic and positive attitude, with a passion for being hospitable
- Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic festival setting
Time Commitment
Minimum of four hours per day, May 20th - June 1st. This will be a job share role as there are many festival VIPs in town at once, so shifts can be arranged to suit. Weekends and evenings required.
Perks of the role: who knows who you might be hosting!
SOUND & LIGHTING ASSISTANT
Help bring the festival to life by supporting the sound and lighting setup for a range of Tussock Country events.
As a Sound & Lighting Assistant, you will work alongside committee members Jeff and Phil to help move, set up, and pack down sound equipment for smaller festival events, as outlined in the event roster. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys being part of the behind-the-scenes action and contributing to the smooth delivery of live events.
No technical experience is required, a positive attitude, willingness to help, and ability to follow instructions are the most important qualities.
Key Responsibilities
Assist with moving sound and lighting equipment between venues
Support the setup and pack down of equipment for smaller festival events
Follow guidance from the technical team to ensure equipment is handled safely
Help maintain an organised and efficient event setup
Requirements
Positive attitude and willingness to help
Ability to follow instructions and work as part of a team
Reasonable level of physical fitness (some lifting may be required)
Interest in events, sound, or lighting is a bonus but not essential
Time Commitment
Minimum of four hours per day, May 22nd - May 31st 2026. Shifts will be scheduled according to the festival roster. Weekends and evenings required.
Perks of the role: you’ll see some great gigs.
UTE MUSTER SUPPORT CREW
Help deliver one of the festival’s most popular events by supporting the smooth running of the Tussock Country Ute Muster.
As part of the Ute Muster Support Crew, you will assist with parking, ute registration, and general event coordination on the day. This is a practical, hands-on role helping manage vehicle flow, welcome participants, and ensure the event runs safely and efficiently.
You’ll be working outdoors as part of a team, contributing to a fun, well-organised experience for everyone involved.
Key Responsibilities
Assist with parking and directing vehicles
Support ute registration and check-in
Provide general assistance during the event
Help maintain a safe and organised environment
Support event staff as required
Requirements
Friendly and approachable
Comfortable working outdoors
Able to follow instructions and work as part of a team
Practical and reliable
Positive attitude
Time Commitment
Shifts will be scheduled for the Ute Muster event day during Tussock Country. - Sunday May 24th
CONTENT CREATOR (Part Paid / Part Voluntary Role)
We’re looking for a passionate and creative Content Creator to capture the energy and excitement of our multi-venue, multi-day country music festival. This hybrid role combines both paid and voluntary elements, with the goal of growing into a fully paid position for 2027 and beyond.
Working closely with our event team, you’ll document key performances, crowd moments, and behind-the-scenes highlights, helping bring the festival to life across our digital platforms. Your work will play a key role in showcasing the heart of the event and creating lasting memories for attendees and performers alike.
Key Responsibilities:
Capture high-quality photo and/or video content during festival performances, fan interactions, and behind-the-scenes moments.
Create engaging content suitable for social media and promotional use.
Work across multiple festival venues and locations.
Collaborate with the event team to meet specific content needs and priorities.
Deliver content in a timely manner for use across festival channels.
Requirements:
Own camera equipment (photo and/or video) and experience capturing live events.
Strong eye for storytelling and content creation.
Ability to work in fast-paced, outdoor environments.
Passion for country music and festivals is a plus.
Flexible schedule to cover multiple days of the festival.
Own transportation.
Based in Gore or able to work locally for the duration of the festival.
Time Commitment:
Maximum two hours per day onsite, across up to eight events during the festival period (May 22 – May 31, 2026). This is a shared role alongside other contracted photographers and creators. Weekend and evening availability is required.
Remuneration & Growth Opportunity:
This is a hybrid role with a combination of paid deliverables and voluntary contribution. It is designed as a development pathway, with the intention of growing into a fully paid Content Creator role for the 2027 festival and beyond, based on performance and festival needs.
Please note: This is a Gore-based role. Accommodation and travel is not provided.
Not sure if any of the above roles fit your skillset? No worries! Submit your application anyway, and we'll likely have a job for you!
Once we've received your application we'll be back in touch with you via email with your allocated shift times - these will be confirmed in April 2026.
Please prepare your Tussock Country volunteer outfit! We recommend multiple warm layers, with black clothing preferred. Sensible footwear and winter woolies also recommended. A high viz vest will be provided to wear over your clothing - to be returned at the end of your shift.
By completing this volunteer sign up form you agree to follow the directions and guidance of your delegated Tussock Country / event supervisor at all times.
Volunteer applications for 2026: APPLY HERE