by Avya Hlavac | 05 Apr 2026

Mother’s Day is a chance to celebrate the mums, grandmothers, and maternal figures who’ve helped to shape our lives. There’s no one-size-fits-all way to celebrate - it might look like a long brunch, a beautifully set high tea, or simply carving out quality time together.

Falling on Sunday, 10 May this year - Mother's Day is set to be a busy day across New Zealand, with families and friends coming together to mark it in their own unique ways. Venues all around the country are getting into the spirit with festive events, menus and promotions to make her feel extra special this year.

Whether you’re planning something relaxed or a little more elevated, dive into our 2026 Mother's Day Guide to find the best places to take her this Mother's Day.

Mother's Day at Holiday Inn Auckland Airport

Treat Mum to a relaxed, family-friendly Mother’s Day buffet lunch at Vapour Restaurant, within Holiday Inn Auckland Airport. From 12-2pm on Mother's Day - enjoy a generous spread of seasonal dishes, hearty mains and sweet treats, plus thoughtful extras like a welcome cocktail for adults and special perks for the kids.

Pricing: Adults $65 | Children (0-5) Free | Children (6-12) 50% off
Inclusions: Complimentary cocktail on arrival (adults), kids dining offers, each mum receives a 20% off dinner voucher

Book Here

Mother's Day at ilex

Set within the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, ilex is hosting a refined Mother’s Day high tea featuring sweet and savoury favourites. Enjoy a glass of prosecco on arrival alongside bottomless tea and coffee, all inspired by locally sourced, seasonal produce.

Pricing: $75 per person
Inclusions: Prosecco on arrival, bottomless tea and coffee
Add-on: Hand-tied bouquet by Linden Grove Floral Design

Book Here

Whether you’re clinking glasses over a vineyard lunch, sharing high tea with someone special, or taking the day for yourself—there’s no one way to celebrate Mother’s Day.

This 11 May, take a moment to honour the people who show up, care deeply, and make life feel like home. From seaside brunches to elegant city spreads, these events are a beautiful excuse to connect.

Cultural Weddings in New Zealand

Planning a cultural wedding in New Zealand? Discover various cultural wedding traditions and receive expert insights and venue recommendations from the dedicated team at NZ Venues.

The Event Planner Guide for Bracu Estate

Set among rolling hills and more than 30,000 olive trees in Auckland’s Bombay Hills, Bracu Estate is a Mediterranean-inspired destination venue designed for events that feel immersive, considered, and well-paced. Just 40 minutes from Auckland Central, the estate offers a sense of escape while remaining highly accessible for guests travelling from Auckland or Waikato.

Where to Celebrate Christmas in 2025

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.

The Complete Guide to Accor Hotels in New Zealand

Accor Hotels brings world-class venues to Auckland’s energetic waterfront, Queenstown’s alpine region and Canterbury's glassy lakesides.

The Complete Guide to Capstone Hotel Management

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.

The Complete Guide to EVT Hotels and Resorts

EVT Hotels & Resorts is home to some of Aotearoa's most impressive venues - including names you know and love. With ten distinctive venues across Auckland, Wellington, Rotorua, Christchurch and Queenstown — each venue is infused with personality, polish and purpose. From the sought-after QT Auckland to the beloved Rydges Rotorua, this guide showcases the best venues to meet, celebrate and stay.

6 Christmas Party Venues for Large-Scale Events

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.

6 Easy-to-Plan Christmas Party Ideas for Small Businesses

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 - Where to Celebrate the Māori New Year in 2025

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.

Events at Novotel Auckland Ellerslie - The Ultimate Guide

Novotel Auckland Ellerslie is a premium venue with welcoming indoor spaces and scenic gardens for 40-300 guests.

The Complete Guide to Auckland Conventions

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.

Sustainable Venues in New Zealand

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.

Auckland

Wellington

Christchurch

Queenstown

Where to take her this Mother's Day

Table of contents