We all know Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland offers stunning landscapes to explore and amazing outdoor activities – but there’s some real beauties indoors as well, for groups big and small. From fun games for incentive or team events to tastings at some of the city’s finest artisan food and drink producers or admiring the city’s galleries and unique experiences, there’s plenty to do on an evening or a rainy day.
1. Action activities
At Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq in Westfield Newmarket, groups can enjoy all the fun of the arcade, from multi-player laser tag to state-of-the-art virtual reality, to bowling, dodgem cars and arcade games, complete with snacks and cocktails.
Thrillzone & Escape Quest, with locations in central Auckland and Takapuna, brings teams together with a range of thrilling activities, from Escape Rooms to VR experiences as well as laser tag, bazooka ball and paintless paintball.
Holey Moley in the Viaduct offers fun par none, with all the challenge of mini golf, plus karaoke booths, cocktails and catering from its kitchen and full-service bar.
The Events Group can tailor indoor team building options to suit your group, from murder mysteries to escape rooms, spy school and even lip synch battles.
2. Sky Tower
It’s the most iconic silhouette on Auckland’s skyline, and the Sky Tower boasts plenty of fun inside as well. View the city from 186 metres above street level, with panoramic 360˚ views in every direction.
If dining or cocktails with a view is what you're after, you're spoilt for choice with Orbit’s 360˚ dining revolving restaurant, the award-winning The Sugar Club or the SkyBar. Alternatively, feel the thrill of travelling at top speeds as you soar and slide down glass tubes that weave their way around the Sky Tower with the SkySlide VR experience.
3. Distilleries
Taste the best of Auckland at some of the city’s finest craft distilleries. On beautiful Waiheke Island, The HEKE is the cellar door and home of Waiheke Whisky & Waiheke Brewing Co. Hold an event here for 10-200 people, enjoying beer tasting, gin tasting, vodka tasting and Waiheke Whisky tasting flights.
Waiheke Distilling Co. offers guided craft gin and vodka tastings, tours of its award-winning distillery, shared platters and seasonal food ideal for relaxed groups, all with stunning views.
Sawmill Brewery in Matakana is New Zealand’s first B Corp certified Brewery, and a great place to taste great beers, organic wines, and enjoy food from the best NZ producers at the Smoko Room.
With locations in Clevedon and Riverhead, Hallertau Brewery and Biergarten offers space for up to 300 guests, great craft beer, food, DJs and live music.
4. Galleries
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki is the largest art institution in New Zealand. Alongside a permanent collection of 17,000 artworks, including some of New Zealand’s most treasured works, there’s an ever-changing series of exhibitions and public programmes.
Enjoy a guided tour and utilise its elegant events spaces for a memorable event. SO/ Gallery is a beautiful art gallery open to the public and hotel guests alike at the luxurious SO/ Auckland. Supported by Flagstaff Gallery, it is available for events or private functions.
5. Wētā Workshop Unleashed
Take an immersive journey through the wacky world of movie making on a 90-minute hosted tour of film FX experience Wētā Workshop Unleashed. Explore the creations centred on three original film concepts: a nail-biting horror, a fantasy epic, and a mind-bending sci-fi.
Groups can also book 'Intro into world building' creative workshops, where they’ll make real miniature environments and landscapes. Or learn how to apply prosthetic effects at the 'Intro into special effects' creative workshop. Amazing event space allows guests to dine beside a galactic robot and visit a miniature fantasy world.
6. All Blacks Experience
Embark on a 45-minute guided tour and learn what it takes to make, shape and be an All Black at the All Blacks Experience, situated in the central Auckland SkyCity precinct. Learn the story and feel the passion behind the All Blacks haka and then test your rugby skills against All Blacks and Black Ferns in the hands-on interactive zone.
Events can also book former international players to speak to the group about their experiences, and there’s function space for larger events.
7. Experiential dining
Get behind the scenes of iconic ice cream purveyors Giapo with a tour of its central Auckland R&D kitchen. Taste some of its most iconic creations, like the selfie cone, colossal squid and the sky tower. Or for a private event for a minimum party of eight, enjoy a Masterclass Workshop to create your own delicious ice cream.
Travel 45 minutes west of the city to Muriwai for a specialty farm-to-plate cooking class with Good From Scratch cookery school. With a commercial-grade kitchen just right for small groups, and a beautiful rural setting, you can dine out on the fruits of your labour.
Or for an original restaurant experience, why not dine in the dark? Dans le Noir at the Grand Millennium Auckland serves gourmet, Japanese-fusion cuisine in pitch darkness, allowing guests to re-evaluate their perception of taste while reclaiming their senses and reinvigorating their relationship with the world and others.
8. Theatre and comedy
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland has a wide range of amazing venues that host premium theatre, live music, and comedy. From New Zealand’s symphony orchestra, to touring international theatre productions, major musicals, and the annual NZ International Comedy Festival, there’s no shortage of amazing live experiences.
Check out what’s coming up in the programme at venues including The Civic, Aotea Centre, SkyCity Theatre, Town Hall, and the Bruce Mason Centre.
9. Spa
Pamper yourself at East Day Spa. Located at The Grand by SkyCity, this haven of calm in the heart of the CBD offers Eastern-style massages and cutting-edge beauty and relaxation packages. It offers 11 treatment rooms, including 4 double suites, and Zen heat experiences.
Relax and revitalise at Chuan Spa at Cordis, Auckland, inspired by the five elements and traditional Chinese medicine. Enjoy a choice of spa treatments, massages, facials, saunas, herbal steam rooms and the heated rooftop pool.
The Spa at Park Hyatt Auckland is a sanctuary of relaxation, offering thoughtfully curated massage, facial and treatment experiences to enrich body and mind.
Luxe Spa at Pullman Auckland offers a range of targeted treatments to relax and revive, as well as the luxurious Spa High Tea Retreat, complete with aromatic massage, high tea, and a glass of bubbles.
The Sofitel Spa offers pampering from head to toe. Indulge in an afternoon, a full day, or an entire week of personalised spa treatments at this urban retreat in the Viaduct precinct.
10. Museums
Auckland War Memorial Museum tells the story of New Zealand, its place in the Pacific and its people. Home to pre-eminent Māori and Pacific collections, significant natural history resources and major social and military history collections, it’s a fascinating place to embark on a range of specialised guided tours. It also hosts twice daily Māori Cultural Performances, as well as regular international touring exhibitions. Plus, it offers extensive, iconic events space.
New Zealand Maritime Museum Hui Te Ananui a Tangaroa, situated in the Viaduct Basin, covers the breadth of New Zealand’s relationship with the sea; from the Great Pacific Migration a thousand years ago to the cutting edge of modern technology and design used in America’s Cup and modern yachting. Explore its galleries, programme of events, special exhibitions, heritage sailings and more.
11. Vineyards and wineries
New Zealand’s wine is world-renowned. Enjoy ait at its source at wineries including Batch Winery, boasting the highest vineyards on Waiheke Island and offering outstanding wine experiences, exquisite cuisine, and great views to match.
The Glass House is the spectacular home of Brick Bay Wines and the gateway to the Brick Bay Sculpture Trail. Cantilevered over a shimmering lake, it offers superb wine tasting, plus relaxed all-day dining showcasing the freshest seasonal produce.
12. Driving experiences
Drive your team to success at Albany’s Game Over Auckland, a one-stop shop for adventure including a thrilling 200-metre indoor electric go-kart track, an immersive laser tag arena, a challenging mini-golf course, and action-packed arcade games.