Drake has done what many international artists seem to love doing lately—shifting New Zealand tour dates at the last minute. The God’s Plan rapper was originally set to play two highly anticipated back-to-back shows at Auckland’s Spark Arena on February 28 and March 1, 2025, as part of his ANITA MAX WIN TOUR. At first, the shows were rescheduled for two weeks later, March 15 and 16, 2025, due to what was described as “scheduling conflicts.”
But now, Drake has officially cancelled his New Zealand tour dates altogether.
Why Did Drake Cancel His Auckland Concerts?
Fans initially speculated that the original date shift had something to do with the addition of two extra Australian shows (March 4 in Brisbane and March 7 in Sydney). However, with the complete cancellation of the New Zealand dates, theories are now running wild.
One particularly interesting take? Some fans are linking the move to Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl call-out, where he took shots at Drake in a verse of Like That. Could there be more behind the scenes than just “scheduling conflicts”? While there’s no official confirmation, the timing is definitely raising eyebrows.
Fans React to Drake’s Cancellation
If New Zealand fans were already frustrated about the date changes, the outright cancellation has only made things worse. Ticketmaster has confirmed automatic refunds for all ticket holders, but for those who had already booked flights and accommodation, the financial loss is significant.
“This is why I never book travel until an artist actually lands in NZ,” one frustrated fan commented on Reddit.
Others pointed out that NZ is constantly getting sidelined by big international acts. Blink-182 cancelled their Christchurch show last year, Travis Scott rescheduled and slashed ticket prices, and now Drake has completely pulled the plug.
Are Fans Entitled to More Than Just a Refund?
While full ticket refunds are being issued, the bigger issue is whether fans should be entitled to more compensation. Many spent hundreds or even thousands on travel and accommodation—costs that won’t be covered by the cancellation.
Under New Zealand’s Consumer Guarantees Act, if an event is outright cancelled, ticket holders are entitled to a full refund for the ticket price. However, things like flights and hotels are not typically included unless the seller (in this case, Ticketmaster or the promoter) is directly responsible.
If you’ve booked non-refundable travel, it’s worth checking with your airline and hotel to see if changes can be made without extra fees.
The Growing Trend of NZ Tour Cancellations
Drake’s sudden exit from the New Zealand tour scene is part of a growing trend where major international artists seem to treat NZ as an afterthought.
From last-minute reschedules to outright cancellations, it’s becoming more common for Kiwi fans to be left scrambling. Whether it’s logistical issues, prioritisation of bigger markets like Australia, or something else entirely, it’s clear that NZ music fans are getting the short end of the stick far too often.
What’s Next for NZ Fans?
With Drake completely off the schedule, fans looking forward to the ANITA MAX WIN TOUR will now have to travel to Australia if they still want to catch a show.
For those hoping to see another big international act soon, maybe hold off on booking those flights and hotels until the artist is actually on stage in NZ. Because at this point, no concert is guaranteed until it happens.
Drake cancelling his NZ shows is yet another blow to Kiwi fans, continuing the frustrating trend of tour changes and cancellations. Whether it’s truly about “scheduling conflicts” or something deeper, one thing is clear—NZ deserves better.
