Chocstock

The artisan chocolate industry is alive and kicking – you could say it’s full of beans. Chocstock, the only festival in the country devoted solely to chocolate, is back in Wellington. 

More than 25 New Zealand, Australian, and Pacific chocolate makers will descend on Wellington. The celebration of the dark chocolatey arts includes all sorts of events. People will be able to meet the makers of their favourite bars and watch as eight Wellington bakers battle it out in the ‘Ultimate Brownie Bake Off’. Hear from legendary chef and 2024 Chocstock Ambassador Peter Gordon, and watch him crown the winners of the bake-off. There are also sessions with local makers. Supreme Coffee will teach you how to pair coffee and chocolate. Double Vision Brewing will be on hand to help find the best beer and chocolate combination. 

The 2021 festival debut was a sellout, and organisers are expecting the same response this coming June. Chocstock founders Matt Williams and Luke Owen Smith say since 2021, the number of local craft chocolate makers has tripled. “Three years ago, there were around ten local makers in New Zealand, and now there are almost 30. People can’t get enough of craft chocolate. We’re excited to bring these innovative makers to the capital so foodies and the taste-adventurous can explore the magic of bean-to-bar chocolate”.