EVT Hotels & Resorts brings together some of Aotearoa’s most remarkable event destinations — including names you know and trust.
From the sought-after QT Auckland to the beloved Rydges Rotorua, each venue is infused with personality, polish and purpose.
This guide showcases the best places to meet, celebrate, and stay in Auckland, Wellington, Rotorua, Christchurch, and Queenstown.
Arawa Park Hotel is a comprehensive conference and wedding venue in Aotearoa's cultural capital. Overlooking Rotorua Racecourse and just minutes from the CBD, Arawa Park Hotel includes the striking Atrium Restaurant, blank-space conference rooms and high-end meeting rooms.
Perfect For: Conferences, Training Days, Weddings, Gala Dinners
Capacity & Layouts: Up to 600 guests across 6 event spaces
Key Features: Atrium restaurant, onsite parking, city views, in-house event planners
Located in Beachlands, Rydges Formosa Auckland Golf Resort is a clifftop venue with breathtaking views across the Hauraki Gulf. With flexible event spaces, a championship 18-hole golf course, and onsite villas—it's an all-inclusive escape for conferences, exhibitions, retreats and celebrations.
Perfect For: Corporate Retreats, Exhibitions, Weddings, Conferences
Capacity & Layouts: Up to 280 guests across six spaces
Key Features: Ocean views, 18-hole golf course, breakout areas, tailored menus
Perched above Lake Wakatipu, QT Queenstown is a design-forward hotel venue with a playful edge and panoramic alpine views. From the glamour of Clancy's Room to the intimacy of Lil Red, each space is styled down to the very last detail. With the ease of a high-tech venue, and the wow-factor of a lakeside location, QT Queenstown caters to both corporate and private events.
Perfect For: Conferences, Private Dining, Weddings, Celebrations
Capacity & Layouts: 10–450 guests across multiple designer spaces
Key Features: Lake and mountain views, Bazaar dining, Red's Bar, designer interiors
Set in the heart of Auckland's Viaduct Harbour, QT Auckland is a chic hotel and home to the beloved Rooftop at QT. From sunset cocktails overlooking the skyline to private dining at Esther, every event is met with expertise and flair. A favourite for PR events, intimate celebrations and cocktail functions - QT Auckland suits events of up to 40 to 200 guests.
Perfect For: Product Launches, Rooftop Events, Seated Dinners, Creative Meetings
Capacity & Layouts: Up to 200 guests across 6 spaces
Key Features: Rooftop bar, Esther restaurant, Limáni conference rooms, harbour views
An eccentric escape in the heart of the capital, QT Wellington blends statement spaces with unmatched flexibility. Host a high-fashion cocktail party at Hot Sauce, a private dinner in Le Salon, or a creative workshop in Senna or Tamburini.
Perfect For: Cocktail Events, Intimate Dinners, Weddings
Capacity & Layouts: Up to 180 guests across 7 eclectic spaces
Key Features: Artistic interiors, Billiards & Tamburini Rooms
Rydges Latimer is a stylish hotel in the heart of the Garden City. Spaces range from boardrooms to ballrooms, providing a refined backdrop for conferences, weddings and meetings - with full facilities to match. Guests may also dine or entertain at the acclaimed Bloody Mary's, home to a whisky library and multiple private dining rooms.
Perfect For: Corporate Events, Wedding Receptions, Private Dining, Conferences
Capacity & Layouts: Up to 400 guests across hotel and restaurant venues
Key Features: Central location, Bloody Mary's restaurant, AV-equipped spaces, event support team
Experience the city from above at Rydges Auckland - a dedicated rooftop venue. Just moments from Viaduct Harbour and Queen Street, Rydges Auckland has flexible spaces, renowned in-house dining and luxury accommodation - hosting everything from high-end cocktail functions to multi-day conferences.
Perfect For: Rooftop Events, Corporate Functions, Weddings, Multi-day Conferences
Capacity & Layouts: Up to 130 guests on The Rooftop, 12 event space
Key Features: Rooftop bar, city and harbour views, CUT Restaurant & Bar, central location
Skip the traffic and host your next event right at the terminal. Rydges Wellington Airport is the ultimate in convenience, with nine event spaces and two dining venues at your fingertips from when you land. This purpose-built venue offers world-class facilities and the a jet-setting atmosphere, perfect for multi-day conferences, meetings and strategy sessions.
Perfect For: Conferences, Airport Meetings, Awards Nights, Private Dining
Capacity & Layouts: Up to 300 guests across nine spaces
Key Features: Airport location, Whiskey Lima Golf restaurant, Peloton mezzanine, tech-equipped rooms
In the colourful CBD, Rydges Wellington is a capital city classic. Showcasing the best of the harbour and the city, this hotel includes seven polished event spaces and in-house dining at the multi-award-winning Portlander. It's a go-to for business events and celebrations in the heart of Wellington.
Perfect For: Business Events, Networking Lunches, Celebrations, Private Dining
Capacity & Layouts: Up to 250 guests across 7 flexible spaces
Key Features: Central location, Portlander restaurant, whisky bar, harbour views
Set beside the Redwood Forest and overlooking Whakarewarewa Geothermal Reserve, Rydges Rotorua captures the spirit of the region with elegance and comfort. With eight spaces for up to 750 guests, it's a favoured choice for large-scale conferences, community gatherings and special celebrations. During your stay, enjoy local flavours at Chapman's Restaurant and make use of the onsite spa facilities.
Perfect For: Conferences, Large Celebrations, Awards Nights
Capacity & Layouts: Up to 750 guests across 8 spaces
Key Features: Forest and geothermal views, Chapman's restaurant, bike storage, pool and spa
Planning an alpine wedding, a rooftop PR event, or a multi-day conference for international delegates? EVT Hotels & Resorts has a solution for every event you can imagine.
EVT Hotels & Resorts operate ten venues across Aotearoa, including Auckland, Wellington, Rotorua, Christchurch, and Queenstown. Each location is designed with its own distinct personality and purpose, catering to both corporate and private events.
Yes. Most EVT hotels include luxury on-site accommodation ranging from boutique suites at QT Hotels to resort-style villas at Rydges Formosa Golf Resort. This makes it easy to combine meetings, dining, and overnight stays in one seamless experience.
Each venue features its own signature restaurant or in-house catering team. Expect bespoke menus from celebrated establishments such as Esther (QT Auckland), Bazaar (QT Queenstown), and Bloody Mary’s (Rydges Latimer Christchurch).
Yes! Choose Your Cherry is EVT’s current rewards promotion for event bookings made before 28 February 2026.
Book your next event at any EVT venue and unlock complimentary rewards.
Here's a taste of what's on the menu:
Christmas is a magical time — but it can also be chaotic. If you’d rather skip the hosting, avoid the dishes, or you're away from family this year, these New Zealand venues are hosting all-inclusive Christmas events so you can enjoy all of the celebration, without any of the stress. Whether you’re dining as a couple, gathering with friends, bringing the whole whānau, or looking for a place to feel connected this Christmas, here are some of the best Christmas events happening in 2025 across New Zealand.
Accor Hotels brings world-class venues to Auckland’s energetic waterfront, Queenstown’s alpine region and Canterbury's glassy lakesides.
Capstone Hotel Management is a New Zealand–owned hospitality group bringing together boutique hotels, luxury lodges, and regional resorts across the country. From coastal escapes to city landmarks, each Capstone property reflects its own distinct character while sharing a common thread: genuine Kiwi hospitality and a focus on seamless guest experiences.
For businesses planning a Christmas party for over 100 guests, the venue becomes the cornerstone of success. Catering, accessibility, in-house AV, staffing and location all play a crucial role in creating a seamless experience for both organisers and guests. From black-tie galas to festive buffets and cocktail receptions, these six venues across New Zealand are purpose-built for celebrations at scale.
Are you in charge of the company Christmas party but don't want planning to become a full-time job? You've come to the right place. Work Christmas parties don't need to be stuffy and repetitive, and neither do they need to be time-consuming to plan. We're spinning the narrative on its head and showing you how to plan a Christmas party your employees will love, in little to no time. Without even trying too hard, it'll be the event of the year. The secret to success? Choose a format that fits your people. Consider team size, social dynamics, and how your crew likes to celebrate. Here are 6 easy-to-plan Christmas party ideas for small businesses in NZ with venue and supplier recommendations, balanced reviews and pricing to help bring your event to life.
Matariki marks the start of the Māori New Year—a national holiday celebrated across New Zealand with community events and family-friendly activities that honour Aotearoa’s indigenous traditions.
Novotel Auckland Ellerslie is a premium venue with welcoming indoor spaces and scenic gardens for 40-300 guests.
Whatever Mother’s Day 2025 looks like for you, there’s a beautiful way to mark the day—whether it’s a long lunch by the sea, high tea in a heritage hotel, or a vineyard stroll followed by wine and nibbles. Across Aotearoa, venues are hosting experiences to suit every kind of celebration.
Auckland Conventions is the largest network of event venues in Aotearoa and includes all the places you know and love. Think—the glamorous Civic Theatre, the beloved Aotea Centre, the industrial Shed 10 and many more. These landmark venues host some of the country's most significant events, from concerts and tradeshows to exhibitions and awards nights. With over sixty versatile spaces across Tāmaki Makaurau, dive in and discover Auckland's Most Iconic Venues by Auckland Conventions.
Aotearoa, New Zealand, is proudly known worldwide as a "clean, green" destination — and for good reason. This whenua (land) showcases breathtaking landscapes, fresh water, clean air and clear, starry skies. Maintaining our pure New Zealand is more than a tourism campaign; it's our shared responsibility. The events industry has a significant environmental impact, from energy consumption to food waste and single-use materials. As awareness of these issues grow, event planners and attendees seek greener, more thoughtful alternatives. It's encouraging to see venues across New Zealand stepping up — reducing waste, conserving resources, and protecting local ecosystems in meaningful ways. From redistributing surplus catering to using recycled materials in their builds, venues are finding innovative solutions to more sustainable events. At NZ Venues, we believe no act is too small. Every step towards sustainability is worth acknowledging — because every effort makes a difference. In this article, we break down the term "sustainability"—what it means, why it matters, and how we can practice it. We also had the privilege of speaking with some of the country's most forward-thinking venues about how they're making sustainability part of their everyday operations.
In need of a marquee? We've got you covered. Aside from being a functional shelter, a marquee is also a canvas from which to create the most magical wedding reception. Whether you choose a stretch tent, teepee or clear marquee - adorn it with festoons and fairy lights and watch your wedding night come to life. In this section, discover the best marquee hire companies servicing the Wellington Region.
You're in the thick of wedding planning. Hopefully, you've ticked off the big ticket items, such as your wedding venue and photographer. Now, it's time for the fun part - hair and makeup! A beautiful wedding look will set you up for success. Not only on your big day but also in your wedding photos, which will live on forever. Achieving a look that is totally you calls for an expert artist who understands your complexion, facial structure, and desired look. An experienced makeup artist will also know how to create a long-lasting look that still looks fantastic after the tears, laughter, and sweat that your wedding day will undoubtedly bring. With that in mind, we've called upon Wellington's top hair and makeup artists. These beauty experts will ensure a beautiful & long-lasting bridal look for your big day.
