Wellington's iconic Jim Beam Homegrown festival is leaving the city after eighteen years, with this year's festival the last in the capital.

Festival director Andrew Tuck told Nick Mills the decision was a hard one, with his team having explored every other option to keep the festival in the city. 

He said New Zealand music remains enormously popular and the festival wants the ability to introduce more stages such as one focused on country music. 

Tuck said they hope to have the new venue confirmed by April.

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