Tai Tokerau Low & Slow

25/03/2026

We are still all go and we still have some amazing teams to introduce, next up is Smokehouse BBQ . These legends are some of our amazing locals and are always a huge support of everything BBQ in our community. Without the support of local teams like this we wouldn't be able to make these things happen. Scotty has had his game face on for weeks now and is coming in prepared to give it his all. These legends cook pretty much everything on the Pit Barrel NZ cookers, so come say Gday and show our locals some love! He also builds some unsinkable boats which we may still need!

24/03/2026

Tai Tokerau Low & Slow BBQ COMPETITION IS ALL GO
AND IS FREE OF CHARGE!

Now that we have that out of the way we do want to let you know that Fired Up Barbecue Festival has unfortunately had to cancel their portion of the event. With it looking like extreme weather for the next 48 hours minimum it wont allow for them to set up everything they need to safely and on time and they needed to make the difficult call and we are grateful for their support and everything they do for us.

Now back to the positives...

We have the continued support of The Old Packhouse Kerikeri so location will remain the same. We will be moving the comp site closer to be more integrated with the market and the crowds on Saturday so we will still see heaps of public through to interact with you legends. Friday's at the Market are Street Food nights with heaps of great food vendors and you can get a feed on site. Saturday morning the weekly market kicks off early so those of you that need a coffee fix or something tasty to Kickstart your day can get it hot and fresh right there

A huge shout out to our Expo Vendors that have decided to stick with us and xone support as well!

Oklahoma Joe's Smokers NZ and Heat Beads BBQ will be there cooking up a storm. BBQ Pro NZ will be there with all your Pit Barrel NZ and needs. We will have Hayden fron Champion Knives and Chris from Nice Wood Nz with their hand crafted goodness and more!

We have 18 of the best competition bbq teams coming to compete and excited to share their knowledge and answer your questions so dont be shy.

A little rain won't get us down and we are going to make this event all it can be for all those coming to support and all of our much appreciated community

23/03/2026

We are stoked to have Hayden back to Tai Tokerau Low & Slow and Fired Up Barbecue Festival as part of the BBQ Expo area and excited to tell you he is once again generously contributing to the prize pool for our NZ Barbecue Alliance pitmasters! If you havent heard of Champion Knives then this is the perfect way to check out his work. Beautifully hand forged from tip to tail, these are legacy pieces crafted to last a lifetime! Hayden has a very strong culinary background and is now a passionate full time knife maker. Check out his page on Instagram championxknives or better yet come see him in person!

Thanks for the support Legend!

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https://linktr.ee/championknives

22/03/2026

Our next introduction ticks a few boxes. Greg Hart is one of the founding fathers of Tai Tokerau Low & Slow and a part of this journey since day one. Along with that hat he wears many others...he has been an NZ Barbecue Alliance head judge for years, he is no stranger to competition BBQ having cooked here and internationally and will be competing this year with his team Charcoal Cowboys. Feeling he didnt quite have enough to do this weekend he is also catering as Native Que Barbecue, just look for the Flame Fired Ferris Wheel. Come say hi to the team and grab yourselves a feed at Fired Up Barbecue Festival this Saturday!

Thanks for everything Team

18/03/2026

Our BBQ Brother's from Team Bbqwar are coming to town folks.

18/03/2026

We would like to introduce Traeger Grills NZ and we are stoked to have them as part of the BBQ Expo area at Fired Up Barbecue Festival this year. They have also jumped in as a sponsor for Tai Tokerau Low & Slow NZ Barbecue Alliance competition and are generously donating a Meater NZ pro to the prize pool. These brands offer the experience of solid fuel cooking with those set and forget capabilities that make enjoying bbq while still getting things done around the house possible. Epic portable units for those outdoor adventures, camping and tailgating to kits big enough to feed the masses and look after the whole whanau. The team from Traeger will have kits fired up and will be there to walk you through everything they can do. There will be some great show specials available as well so see you there! Thanks for the support team!

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18/03/2026

Next in the competition line up is Sticky Fingers BBQ . Jeff and John first started competing in the NZ Barbecue Alliance in 2020 and discovered very quickly how friends become family in this beautiful world of BBQ. These fellas are always a threat and they have turned their years of experience in competitive bbq and a passion for food into catering services and a pitmaster academy you can find at www.stickyfingersbbq.co.nz

Another team that isnt afraid of adding a little color to their brand so look for the purple shirts amd come say hey to these Samba brand ambassadors at Fired Up Barbecue Festival . Thanks for the support team and we will see you soon!

17/03/2026

Just one of the many international bbq vendors at Fired Up Barbecue Festival this year. You asked for more and they are making it happen!

Fired up for the Food 🔥
Meet The Greek Guys Grill NZ 🔥🍖
Taste authentic Greek BBQ at Fired Up Barbecue Festival 2026
⏰ Sat 28 March
📍The Old Packhouse Kerikeri
🎫 Tickets at Eventfinda NZ

Barbecue BOI, Jacman Entertainment Northland NZ, Tai Tokerau Low & Slow, The Rock The Old Packhouse Kerikeri

15/03/2026

Next up with Team introductions are Rum and Que, your 2025 NZ Barbecue Alliance champions which makes them 2 time national champions.... and 2 time Tai Tokerau Low & Slow champions if we arent mistaken. A family run team that has been deep into comp since the start here in NZ which has inspired them to create a wide range of award winning products along the way. As Matthew Melville says in the video it is important to continue to support and grow the competition BBQ community and these legends along with some other top teams are ready to jump in and coach a new team through the process.

It just so happens that we have been generously gifted a team entry for a new team that is wanting to give this a go so if you are keen or on the fence this is the perfect opportunity. This donation wishes to remain anonymous but we appreciate the support very much!

Come say hey to these legends at Fired Up Barbecue Festival , they are always keen to answer questions and talk BBQ.

12/03/2026

Global BBQ is coming to town! See you at Fired Up Barbecue Festival