Wellington, the culture-filled capital of New Zealand, has a lot to offer in terms of private event spaces for gala dinners.  We've filtered through the mass of options to bring you a list of the best venues in Wellington for gala dinner events. Whether you are hosting an awards night for hundreds of industry professionals, or an intimate team gala dinner for twenty lucky guests, our list will have the perfect venue for you. Don't waste time on anything less than the best, and these gala dinner venues are undoubtedly the best that Wellington has to offer. For a full rundown on the venues for hire in Wellington, check out our guide here.

NZCIS

Image by NZCIS

Dine on a grand scale at NZCIS, an impressive event centre set on 18 hectares of parklands. The largest facility of its kind in the region, NZCIS plays host to conferences, gala dinners and any event that calls for a significant space. At NZCIS, excellent catering, modular spaces, and world-class hospitality are just the beginning.

Whisky & Wood

Image by Smoke Photography

Featuring washed-brick walls, soaring high ceilings, skylights and a wooden bar area, Whisky & Wood exudes industrial elegance. With 350 square meters of versatility at your fingertips - the space is suitable for up to 120 guests and can be configured to suit any event. Passionate about hosting events that breathe life into the community - Whisky & Wood is perfect for corporate functions, gala dinners, private events, networking, markets, weddings and more.

Shed 6 (TSB Auditorium)

Image by Shed 6

With its pillarless floor and soundproof walls, Shed 6 is a versatile Wellington gala dinner venue. You can arrange tables in a myriad of ways because the open space has next to no obstructions. Shed 6 also boasts the latest in audio-visual technology, ensuring flawless presentations and entertainment. As the home of the annual WOW Arts Show (World of Wearable Arts Show), it needs to be continually ahead of the lighting and sound display game. Shed 6 is a part of a trio of Wellington venues that include TSB Auditorium, TSB Arcade, and TSB Arena. The latter is Wellington’s largest indoor event space and can host over 1000 people in a seated banquet setting.

Academy Galleries

Image by Venues Wellington

A modern and minimalist contemporary art showroom that doubles as a Wellington venue, Academy Galleries is the perfect place to hold a classy, intimate evening. With exceptional art regularly on display, you don't need to worry about decoration. The central location is easy to get to for Wellingtonians and tourists alike. In a gala dinner setting, you can expect Academy Galleries to be suitable for groups up to 100. If you want a banquet with an ambience that promotes thought-provoking discussion, then Academy Galleries should be your top choice.

Michael Fowler Centre

Image by Michael Fowler Centre

Award-winning architecture and a prime location, Michael Fowler Centre is a sophisticated venue for your gala night. The Wellington venue has a three-story glass facade, and the interior is comprised of Italian marble and native timber. Michael Fowler Centre is also a cultural hub for many Wellingtonians as it functions as the home to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra - a fact that any sophisticates at your event will be quite pleased to know. Two of this gala dinner venue's unique event spaces are the Renouf Foyer and the Lion Harbourview Lounge. The Renouf Foyer boasts plenty of natural light, an elegant-looking hardwood floor, and space for up to 300 seated guests. The Lion Harbourview lounge features (as expected from its name) beautiful views over the Wellington harbour. It also has floor-to-ceiling windows to enhance that view and create a consistent flow of natural light. When hosting your gala dinner at Michael Fowler Centre, you're choosing excellence.

Te Papa - Te Marae

Image by Te Papa

Te Marae is a powerful work of contemporary architecture and art. Like all marae, it tells a story of identity. Te Marae in Te Papa stands out because it acknowledges the many cultures that live in Aotearoa and showcases the bi-cultural identity of the museum itself. Your guests can enjoy a seated gala dinner or a standing cocktail night, surrounded by Maori inspired art. At the front of the room is the pièce de résistance, Te Marae. Seating 200 people in a gala-style dinner setup, the room boasts a stunning lighting design and spectacular views of Wellington.

The Opera House

Image by Venues Wellington

Dine on stage in one of Wellington’s oldest and most extravagant buildings, The Opera House. The massive dome ceiling and the raked stage will have you feeling like you’ve travelled back in time. This Wellington venue is perfect for gala dinners, which often are best with an air of extravagance to them. The stage space is only suitable for about 130 seated guests, so some larger gala dinners and functions might not fit - but if your guest list is anywhere up to 130, then this stunning Wellington venue should be very high up on your list of the best gala dinner venues in the city, just like it is on ours.

Wharewaka Function Centre

Image by Athfield Architects

Wharewaka Function Centre is an iconic landmark of the Wellington Waterfront. This gala dinner venue boasts a waterside cafe open 7-days a week. Behind the scenes, it also has five function spaces available for groups ranging from 20-500. It is a dedicated function space, so you can rest assured that it has all the latest audio-visual tech and areas that have been purpose-built for hosting successful private events. Visitors to this Wellington venue will also be able to view 3 Maori waka, permanently on display – except for when they are out on the water, which can be arranged. Waka Harbour Tours is considered to be one of the most culturally inspiring things to do in the city. So, if you have international guests coming to your gala dinner, you might like to make use of the waka’s availability. Booking with Wharewaka is organised exclusively through, event management company, Wellington Functions.

Oaks Wellington Hotel

Image by Oaks Wellington Hotel

Bringing seamless service and contemporary surroundings to the table, Oaks Wellington Hotel is a Wellington gala dinner venue for the ages. Choose between their array of rooms, from the intimate Fairlane Room to the larger Mustang Falcon, as you plan your gala dinner. Beloved for how close it is to areas of the city full of colour and culture, including incredible wines, craft beers, dining spots and events, this Wellington venue is the ideal location for a stunning gala dinner of up to 200 guests. The events team at Oaks Wellington Hotel is made up of seasoned experts and can help with the planning and running of your Wellington gala dinner from start to finish, boasting polished facilities and options such as on-site catering, accommodation and more. Customising each and every moment to your tastes, Oaks Wellington Hotel is a gala dinner venue that serves up everything you need and more.

InterContinental

Image by InterContinental Hotels

Intercontinental was the world's first international luxury hotel brand. With that title comes an expectation of well-established processes and an expert level of industry knowledge. Intercontinental Hotel in Wellington has six unique event spaces suitable for a gala dinner. They can host a range of sizes from 20 to 220, but, no matter the size, Intercontinental believe that their local teams will create memorable and flawlessly executed events. One of the joys of having a hotel venue for a gala dinner is that your guests have the option to stay at the hotel. Without the need to carpool, or Uber to and from your event, your guests will stay for longer and have a wee bit more to drink – which often leads to a few good laughs and positive memories.

Brentwood Hotel and Conference Centre

Image by Agoda

Brentwood Hotel is the closest hotel and conference centre to Wellington airport, which makes it an especially convenient gala dinner venue for people with international guests arriving on the night of the function (or even if guests are flying from other cities in NZ). All of this Wellington venue's spaces for hire are located on the ground floor of the hotel, allowing for easy access. Among the amenities provided by Brentwood Hotel, you'll find conference car parking, a bar and restaurant entrance, catering options, on-site accommodation and a swimming pool.

The Basin Reserve

Image by NZ Cricket Museum

The Basin Reserve is considered one of the world’s most picturesque cricket grounds and is also listed as one of the top 10 cricket venues in the world. Recently, a long term development plan was put in place by the local government to improve some of the areas that make up The Basin Reserve. By 2025, it will be as technologically advanced and modern as ever, but it will still maintain its historic aesthetic. There are two primary function spaces in The Basin Reserve, the Longroom and the Norwood Room. Both of these spaces are suitable for gala banquets of over 100 pax, making it an ideal Wellington gala dinner venue. The Longroom boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and built-in bar space, while the Norwood Room houses the grand honours board.

The Wardroom at Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club

Image by Black and Gold

The Wardroom in Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club is the perfect waterside venue for an intimate gala dinner. From inside The Wardroom, there are stunning views over the harbour, which come to life at night, reflecting the lights of nocturnal ships and the lively city. The Wardroom also has a large accessway to a wooden deck suspended over the water. This gala dinner venue can seat a maximum of 80 guests when it comes to hosting gala dinners, so it's perfect for cosier nights and celebrations. With a fully equipped bar in this Wellington venue and a nearby kitchen area, any catering options you go with will be seamlessly accessible.

Harbourside Function Centre

Image by Black and Gold

Once a wharf warehouse housing various trade wares, Harbourside Function Centre is now a modern architectural space comprised of five function spaces - perfect for your upcoming gala dinner in Wellington. This Wellington venue's most spacious layout can host up to 350 seated guests for a gala dinner. All their event options feature high-speed WiFi, access to the latest audiovisual technology, wheelchair accessibility, and soundproof divides. Only a short walk from the iconic Te Papa museum, this Wellington venue is accessible and offers serene views of the surrounding city, moments from plush accommodation, the shopping district and other attractions to delight your guests.

Rydges Wellington

Image by Rydges Wellington

Rydges Hotel in Wellington is one of the city’s most experienced gala dinner providers. With a personal event coordinator assigned to every event booked with Rydges Hotel, you don't need to worry about organising the details, and you can leave much of the setup to their event team. Rydges Hotel pride themselves on food, believing that good food makes for a good event (they aren't wrong). They describe their food as “kaleidoscopic”, “fresh”, and “sinful”, which are all words we can get behind when it comes to eating. Rydges Hotel can host up to 230 people in a grand banquet setup. A few things you are guaranteed through a gala dinner with Rydges Hotel include flexible space with various options for setup, spacious breakout areas, entertainment available upon request, pre and post-conference activities, free wifi, audio-visual tech, stationery, and personalised catering.