Looking for the ideal spot to host your dream function? Look no further. We've rounded up function spaces to suit any event and any demographic, from hop-heads to wine lovers to go-kart enthusiasts.
Consigned to the vines
As if fabulous, award-winning wine wasn’t enough, Pegasus Bay Winery is also a tasteful, rustic functions venue backed up by incredible dining and gorgeous scenery. Walking out into the stunning gardens is like stepping Mary Poppins-style straight into a Monet painting, and modern interior touches like wine bottle chandeliers and contemporary art add an irresistible charm for an event with a difference that’ll have you and your guests reminiscing for years to come.
Read more: 8 steps to planning the perfect event
Celebrations with soul
The beautiful heritage home and colourful gardens of The Old Vicarage make for the perfect place to hold your next function, whether it’s a Christmas do, baby shower, birthday, anniversary, or anything in between. The private rooms can accommodate groups of almost any size, from an intimate gathering of eight to a buzzing party of 100. The team have set menus on offer to keep your guests fed and watered, and with audiovisual facilities available, this is just the venue to help create lasting memories.
Brews with the Boys (and everyone else)
If beer is important to you and your function, then what could be better than throwing it at a working craft brewery? Three Boys Brewery is ideal for parties, exhibitions, shows and one-off events. You get a birds-eye view of the entire brewing operation from the mezzanine floor, and you know the craft beers are going to knock it out of the park. There’s no in-house catering, but the team welcome outside suppliers, or you can just bring your own kai.
Go down in history
A sense of history and classic elegance can’t help but imbue your function with that touch of class at the magnificently restored Mona Vale Homestead. Brides arrive by punt, guests play croquet, and you can gather under a majestic oak or a marquee on the immaculate Iris Lawn. The outstanding food and wine can make all your fantastical garden party dreams come true. Roam the sprawling gardens or sit down to a spectacular dinner in the upstairs dining area.
Crafty bonding
‘Tis the season to get creative, and we’ve spotted a perfect venue for crafty parties: The Craft Room in Harewood. Join a workshop to meet like-minded people, or book a group event, hen’s do, birthday or end-of-year get-together. Create macramé, decoupage, candles, soap or something special for decoration or gifting.
Rovin’ doughvin’
She’s roving the streets of Christchurch and the plains of Canterbury, in search of the next hungry mouth or party in need of pizza. That’s right, it’s the Land Doughver and it’s time to start spinning dough for the summer events season.
For those of you who haven’t encountered the Land Doughver yet, it’s a mobile, fully-equipped woodfired pizza oven on the back of a 1982 ex-New Zealand Army 109 Series III V8 Land Rover. And it’s not just making regular old pizzas – the Land Doughver is operated by the same crew who run gourmet pizza joint Fire & Slice in Sumner. It uses the same soft-and-light dough risen slowly over two days, and the same quality ingredients for authentic classics and chef-designed original pizzas.
The Land Doughver crew say events are booking up fast for the summer, but there are still dates available to book a birthday, wedding, work do or function, and they regularly post about upcoming public appearances on Facebook and Instagram.
Change it up
Functions are all about flexibility at Leinster Eatery in Merivale. Want your favourite dish served on your birthday? The chefs cater to special requests, and can adapt the menu or create a new one for your event. Give your guests meal options, or fix a set menu. The seating and tables are also customisable – you can throw an intimate celebration in the booths, an elaborate soirée of over 40 guests in the main area, or a casual do around the bar. Speaking of the bar, the taps are stocked with award-winning local Cassels beer. And if you’re thinking of an open-bar event, talk to the team about including some of Leinster Eatery’s signature G&Ts on the drinks list.
Super-duper racy looper
We’ve got go karts on the mind, so we went and found the biggest and the best in town. Supa Karts are not little fairground bumper karts. These are first-rate engineered machines built for speed and safety. Hitting 35 kilometres per hour, Supa Karts’ grunty adult karts are the fastest in New Zealand, so these are just for the big kids. Options for the younger ones include the junior karts and tandem karts. Read more about Supa Karts here.