Sunshine central, Nelson capitalises on some of the very best things about New Zealand, from sandy beaches to thrilling horticulture. Just a few hours from Christchurch, this is the country’s official craft-brewing capital, as well as home to boutique wineries and a host of activities and attractions that make it a superb location for events. You and your guests will be spoiled for choice here, from wining and dining in some of the finest spots around town to exploring Te Waikoropupū Springs, said to produce the clearest freshwater in the world. Nelson venues love to make use of their surroundings, some showing off views of their much-loved Tasman Bay and Golden Bay, embracing historic and charming architecture, guaranteed to bring your function an added touch of the 'wow' factor.

Fairfield House

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A Nelson venue for the ages, Fairfield House is a historic home that doubles as a space for your upcoming event. Settled amongst acres of verdant woodlands and greenery, this Nelson venue has been around since 1872. Sporting spacious verandas and a unique observation tower, Fairfield House is known far and wide for the elegance it brings to every event. A registered heritage building, it has a number of both indoor and outdoor spaces for your function, including the Ballroom, Gallery, Meeting Room and Courtyard. Often hired for both personal and corporate events, Fairfield House accommodates up to 150 guests and acts as a blank canvas for your function. Plan, prepare and play as you wish, with options to select your own caterer, stylist and more. You’ll be strolling around emerald lawns and admiring the affectionately-restored architecture as you explore this Nelson venue.

 

Founders Heritage Park

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Founders Heritage Park is a fascinating part of Nelson’s history, serving as a replica of the historic village that contains many of the heritage buildings and artifacts of Nelson. Moments from the airport and city centre, this Nelson venue is as unique as it gets, catering for groups as intimate as 5 to as bustling as 5000. Conferences, exhibitions, product launches, meetings, seminars - Founders Heritage Park does it all and does it with style. When you hire out this Nelson venue, you gain access to the extensive grounds, exhibits and working railway; choose from their Energy Centre, Granary, Jaycee Room, St Peters Church and more for your upcoming event. The areas at Founders Heritage Park feature facilities such as extensive kitchens, antique bars, high ceilings, concrete floors, patios and more - you’ll be spoiled as you pick from their wide variety for your Nelson event.

 

Zatori Retreat

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Be it a conference or workshop, Zatori Retreat has all the facilities and spaces you need. This Nelson venue accommodates up to 60 guests - perfect for smaller gatherings and meetings, with personalised service and several packages to choose from when planning your function. Facilities include on-site accommodation, catering for all meals, large boutique beer and wine menus courtesy of their fully-licensed bar and more. Totally secluded, Zatori Retreat overlooks the quaint village of Collingwood, which is mere minutes away and has all the day-to-day requirements you’re looking for, from their cute pub to their well-stocked supermarket. You’ll be drinking in views of Golden Bay from their spacious decks, basking in the sunlight and enjoying complimentary WiFi. With a seamless flow throughout the venue, Zatori Retreat is designed to make your event as tranquil as possible.

 

Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve

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If you’re looking for a Nelson venue for your conference, meeting or more, Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve is the answer. Look out at golden sands and sparkling waves when you host your event at this Nelson venue, under an hour from Nelson’s airport and minutes from the world-renowned Abel Tasman National Park. Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve has a duo of spaces for your consideration - Ngaio Conference Room and Aorere Conference Room - suitable for 18 to 60 guests. You’ll be hosting your Nelson function in comfortable style at this destination venue, located right on the Kaiteriteri Beachfront and with awe-inspiring views of the bay. Not only does this Nelson venue provide you with fantastic on-site catering options and audiovisual equipment, but they also boast an array of accommodation, from basic cabins to luxury apartments, turning your event into a getaway that your guests won’t soon forget.

 

Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco Resort

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Handmade bricks and timber salvaged from the Nelson Wharf built in 1842 make up the stunning beauty that is Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco Resort. Expansive and luxurious, this Nelson venue brings you unmatched views across the Monaco Peninsula, the Waimea Inlet and the Kahurangi Mountain range beyond. They pride themselves on being the perfect Nelson venue for meetings, conferences, seminars and other corporate events, with cushy on-site accommodation, incredible catering options, audiovisual equipment and assistance, complimentary WiFI, as well as attentive service from their experienced staff. Part of a world-class hotel chain, it’s no wonder that Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco Resort knows how to stage an event to perfection. Choose between their Grand Marquee, Orangerie, Village Hall, Boardroom and Executive Cottage for your Nelson event, the spaces catering from 6 to 200 guests.

 

Melrose House

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In the heart of the city is Melrose House, ensconced in a lush, private garden and featuring characteristic Victorian grandeur that makes this Nelson venue a stunning space for any function. Both classy and convenient, the venue is available for exclusive hire for your Nelson event and boasts polished native rimu timber floors, high ceilings, ornate balustrades and crystal chandeliers. Their spaces include the Drawing Room, Boardroom, Library and manicured lawns, accommodating up to 100 guests in designated areas. Facilities include on-site parking, complimentary WiFi, as well as sumptuous catering courtesy of Melrose Café. If you prefer it, you can hire out the entirety of Melrose House for your Nelson function, including the upstairs café, allowing you more room to spread out and make your event a night that everyone will remember.

 

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology

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The Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, otherwise known as NMIT, is in the middle of the city and is a premier option for conferences, meetings, seminars and other corporate functions. Their spaces for hire include the Auditorium, Lecture Theatre 1, Lecture Theatre 2, and a variety of classrooms that serve as convenient spots for more intimate meetings and breakout rooms. The Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology accommodates up to 100 guests, with plenty of outdoor areas for mingling and networking, as well as top-of-the-line audiovisual equipment and assistance. As a happy addition, Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology can be used in conjunction with nearby Old Saint John's, a church that is filled with character and fantastic acoustics. If you’re after a modern Nelson venue that offers it all, the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology is the answer you’ve been looking for.

 

The Nelson Yacht Club

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Let your oceanside event dreams spring to life with The Nelson Yacht Club, a flexible venue that has panoramic views of the water. Hosting anywhere from 40 to 150 guests, this Nelson venue is a go-to option for locals and visitors alike, ideal for everything from seminars and conferences to meetings and dinners. From their stately interior to their wide balcony, The Nelson Yacht Club is well-equipped to handle functions of every size, priding themselves on their seamless indoor-outdoor flow courtesy of the Aurora Lounge. Available for exclusive hire, this space includes chairs, tables, a dance floor, kitchen and bar - the complete package when it comes to planning your Nelson event from the ground up. The Nelson Yacht Club allows unlimited options when it comes to choosing beverages and catering staff, meaning that you can plan your function as freely as you wish, so let it be the event of a lifetime.

 

Appleby House and Rabbit Island Huts

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Dare to be different with Appleby House and Rabbit Island Huts, a Nelson venue found on the Waimea Plains and moments away from Nelson, Mapua and the Nelson Tasman Great Taste Trail. This Nelson venue is spread out over 25 acres of greenery, with serene views of the Mt Arthur ranges, Richmond Hills and Waimea Estuary. When it comes to event hosting, Appleby House and Rabbit Island Huts specialise in intimate functions, from quaint weddings to business retreats, hosting up to 60 guests. Their spaces include the contemporary Appleby House, 6 cute Rabbit Island Huts, as well as the banquet hall, ready to be styled to match your event. With so much free space and flexibility, Appleby House and Rabbit Island Huts is a preferred Nelson venue for those looking for a comfortable escape alongside an exciting event.

 

Old St John's

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The oldest venue Nelson has, Old St John's combines traditional appeal with modern facilities, making it one of the area’s favourite venues. Situated in the middle of the city, this Nelson venue works in tandem with its neighbour, Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, or can be hired as an exclusive standalone for your event. Perfect for weddings, performances and similar functions, Old St John's is a beautiful space on its own. If you need more room, the institute next door brings you break out rooms for meetings and more, as well as Old St John's at the back of the church for further options. With an expansive kitchen for your caterers, audiovisual equipment and assistance, as well as a helpful team, this Nelson venue lends itself to a variety of functions, all filled with the character of decades past.

 

The Mudcastle

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Under an hour from Nelson’s city centre and found at the base of the Moutere Hills is The Mudcastle, a delightful venue that has extraordinary views of mountain ranges and the region’s stunning natural beauty. Dubbed ‘a labour of love’ due to the way it was built by the owners (from local mud bricks), The Mudcastle hosts up to 100 guests in its cosy space, with a penchant for weddings, gala dinners, cocktail parties and other exciting functions. This Nelson venue features indoor and outdoor spaces, boutique accommodation for up to 16 guests, catering options and more. The Mudcastle is surrounded by some of Nelson’s finest wineries and artisans, making it one of the city’s favourite attractions, with an attentive and creative team that specialises in planning, organising and hosting extraordinary events with a touch of their signature flair.

 

Annesbrook Event Centre

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A contemporary space for contemporary events, Annesbrook Event Centre is a Nelson venue that caters best to conferences, seminars, meetings and other corporate functions. It boasts a total of 6 spaces for you to pick between, including the Auditorium, Foyer, Hall 1, Hall 2, Classroom 1 and Classroom 2. Mix and match the rooms for your own use, with the venue able to accommodate up to 800 guests cocktail-style. A stone’s throw from the Waimea Inlet, Annesbrook Event Centre is ideally located in the heart of the city and is as versatile a venue as it gets. Their facilities include high-speed WiFi, on-site catering options, a bar, state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, and flexible lighting options for your Nelson event.

 

Beachside Conference and Event Centre

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Beachside Conference and Event Centre is here to bring you everything you need for your Nelson event and then some. This Nelson venue sports a total of 7 different spaces for your upcoming event, including the Kotuku Room, Tui Room, Tawa Room, Kauri Room, Rimu Room, Kowhai Room and Boardroom. You’re given choice upon choice for your function, with a total of 300 guests catered to. Whether you’re hosting a gala dinner, conference, seminar, meeting or more, Beachside Conference and Event Centre know how to make your night unforgettable. The Nelson venue also provides high-speed WiFi, audiovisual equipment and assistance and bespoke catering services to ensure that your event is the success you envisioned from the very start.

 

The Pear Orchard Lodge

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Home to events both large and small, The Pear Orchard Lodge loves hosting functions that make memories. Known for accommodating weddings, cocktail parties, corporate retreats and more, this Nelson venue boasts a velveteen lawn, paddocks, a covered verandah and rustic barn, all available for your upcoming event. This delightful venue is all about providing you with an authentic country abode, allowing you to exclusively book it if necessary. You’ll have all the freedom you could want and more at The Pear Orchard Lodge, from styling and lighting to catering. With a commercial kitchen ready for your caterer’s use, you can have the gala dinner or cocktail party in a gorgeous space, surrounded by the nature that Nelson is so celebrated for. As a self-catering lodge, it also offers on-site accommodation for up to 20 guests, ensuring that you get the full package.

 

The Hotel Nelson

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The Hotel Nelson is a locally-owned and -operated venue in the city centre, just 10 minutes from the airport, bringing you and your guests plush facilities in the form of on-site accommodation, superb catering and dining options throughout the day and night, a heated swimming pool, barbeque area and audiovisual equipment. Trust the experienced team at this Nelson venue to help you plan a fantastic event in one of their 4 spaces: Fairfield Room, Brougham Room, Kawai Room or Bronte Room. The Hotel Nelson accommodates up to 80 guests and is ideal for moderately-sized conferences, seminars and other corporate events. Each room has plenty of natural light, quiet surroundings, complimentary parking and hotel staff on hand to help with anything you might require.

 

The Boathouse

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Settled over the gentle sway of Nelson Haven, The Boathouse is a historic venue available for your function. Not only is it a cafe, club and community hall, but a fantastic option for events of every kind. Built in 1906 by the Nelson Rowing Club, it endeavours to provide a recreational space for events and performances, keep up the careful restoration process, and help with the conservation of the harbour. Charitable and community-driven, The Boathouse has a sensible and experienced team at hand, as well as a fully-equipped and licensed bar, commercial kitchen, stage, stackable chairs, tables, outdoor furniture, PA system with stereo and microphones, heating and even a gas barbecue. From catering to styling, this Nelson venue has you covered, ensuring an event that is as seamless as its planning.