Organisers of Gore's Tussock Country Music Festival aren't quite ready to call their iconic Queens Birthday Week event quits just yet.

Despite New Zealand's current Covid-19 red alert level, preparations are continuing in the hope that the country will be out of the red setting in time for the festivals kick off on May 28th.

“As a group we’re determined to give Tussock Country every chance of going ahead”, says festival chairman Jeff Rea.

“If we can deliver another successful, safe festival for artists, patrons and the Eastern Southland community then we certainly will. If not, we’ll be well organised for an extra special festival come 2023.”

Festival spokesperson Annabel Roy said they were planning for the best and hoping for even better.

However she said that under the Covid-19 red alert level the festival wouldn't be viable.

"There is opportunities to adapt", Roy said, "but we will cross that bridge when we come to it."

"[Also] a massive thanks to the Southland community for their ongoing support. Many have come back pledging to buy tickets for whenever [the festival will be held]," she said.

Last year's festival brought 10,000 people and $1.8million [to the Gore area], Roy said.

The 2022 festival is planned to run over ten days, starting on 28 May, and will feature more than 50 events hosted by Gore Country Music Club, the NZ Songwriters Trust, the NZ Gold Guitar committee, the Gore District Council and many other independent artists and community organisations.

Many Southland events have now postponed or cancelled following New Zealand's move to the Covid-19 red alert level on 23 January.