Taking Care of Business in the City of Sails
A dynamic, multi-cultural city set in a natural paradise, Auckland offers the ideal setting to meet all the demands of your next business event. Although it’s a large-scale city, the great thing about Auckland is that there are some wonderful wilderness escapes just half an hour’s drive from the CBD. That means you can take in an evening show in the central city and, the very next morning, be canyoning down a rainforest waterfall or sipping bubbly over breakfast on an idyllic holiday island.
Here are just a few of the things that make Auckland a great place to do business:
Diverse Venues
Auckland’s diversity is a boon for business event organisers. Venues for conferences and meetings include two large purpose-built convention centres –Auckland Convention Centre at THE EDGE® and SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre – along with dozens of hotels, boutique properties and heritage sites.
In Manukau City, TelstraClear Pacific provides a unique venue for everyone, bringing together art, culture, leisure and business.
.jpg)
A myriad of off-site venues means creating a unique and memorable event is easy. Options include a progressive dinner in the galleries of the Auckland Museum, exclusive use of the private Kelliher island estate in the Manukau Harbour, a grand affair in the opulent Civic Theatre, a banquet in the historic surroundings of Auckland Zoo’s old elephant house or even a lavish cocktail party in a boat shed. Auckland is also New Zealand’s oldest winemaking district so there are plenty of vineyards, many with stylish cafés and restaurants attached.
A Prime Waterfront Setting
Auckland straddles a narrow isthmus between two spectacular harbours, so there are some excellent waterfront options for venues and activities. Some of the stunning function spaces include the newly refurbished The Wharf at the base of the Auckland Harbour Bridge, and the New Zealand National Maritime Museum – right next door to the bars and restaurants of the Viaduct Harbour.
Terrific Team Building Options
The range of options is infinite for activities, team-building and partner programmes. You can:
- Sail on an America’s Cup racing yacht or join a whale and dolphin watching safari with Explore NZ
- Don an apron at Auckland Fish Market Seafood School and cook up a storm.
- Take the plunge off the Sky Tower with SkyJump or take the thrilling SkyWalk around the outside of Sky Tower’s famous pergola.
- Cruise to beautiful Waiheke with Fullers for a tour of the island's award-winning vineyards and a visit to an olive farm.
- Enjoy a round of golf at Formosa Golf Resort or a quad bike ride through the forest.
- Swim with the sharks or rays and watch the penguins at play, at Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World
Join a high-flying adventure in the canopy of Woodhill Forest with Tree Adventures - Breakfast on the Auckland Harbour Bridge then walk it off with a Bridge Climb or bungy jump.
Cultural Heritage
Auckland has a rich Maori and Pacific Island cultural heritage, so it’s easy to add a Polynesian flavour to the proceedings. Your delegates can learn to do the haka, watch a cultural performance (and be taught some moves) or sample the indigenous food. The TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre can host Pacific-themed events or banquets for up to 1400 people.
Superb Support Services
Auckland’s business event support services are second-to-none, with catering, theming, audio-visual and event management expertise on hand. All this in the best-connected city in the country, with the largest international airport and efficient transport networks.
More Information
Images courtesy of:
Rydges Auckland, Fullers, Explore NZ, Auckland Fish Market Seafood School, SkyWalk
Thanks to:
Auckland Business Tourism Bureau for supplying editorial.