Kia ora!

From compact, walkable Christchurch to the waterfront capital of Wellington, all the way up the dazzling skyline of Auckland, each stop on my trip to New Zealand presented a unique array of meeting, incentive and conference options.

Yet a couple of themes remained consistent across each city: first-class infrastructure and a thirst to welcome international delegates.  

Descending into Christchurch International Airport I caught a glimpse of the braided rivers that inspired the design of the new Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre.

After breezing through the airport, and being mindful not to bring any fruit or vegetables into the country, we headed straight for Novotel Christchurch Airport to enjoy welcome canapes overlooking the runway. I hasten to add, you couldn’t hear a peep from the planes taking off.

The 20-minute drive from the airport to downtown Christchurch didn’t require a freeway. Instead, we weaved through tree-lined roads and past Hagley Park.

Christchurch is designed for humans to walk and cycle around, with hotels and venues no more than 10 minutes from each other.  

We experienced this connectivity first-hand after freshening up at Crowne Plaza Christchurch and strolling a mere 30 seconds to Te Pae Convention Centre where we enjoyed a tour of the thoughtfully designed venue and sampled Canterbury’s finest produce.

Our second day in Christchurch was all about creativity, beginning with a culinary imagination test at Riverside Kitchen.

Fueled for the day ahead we summoned our perfumery skills to create signature scents at The Arts Centre, before channelling our inner Frida Kahlo at Paint’n’Sip Studio.

Christchurch is a place where you can forget about the classic commute and endless coach transfers. Its walkable design and inviting green spaces make it a pleasure to explore by foot, tram, bike or punt.

Its easy to find your space in Christchurch, with an eclectic mix of venues including the Te Pae Convention Centre to the brutalist 1970s Townhall – voted to have some of the best acoustics in the world.

If quirky is your client’s aim, the International Antarctic Centre is a must. We were lucky enough to take a ride in a Hagglund and experience Antarctic conditions in a simulator.

We tested golf coach Hillary O’Connor’s patience at Peppers Clearwater Resort Christchurch, but she kept us putting and swinging until we got a hole-in-one!

Before I knew it, it was time to fly north to explore New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington. This little city at the bottom of the world on the water’s edge is surrounded by hills and fronted by a bustling harbour.

I soon discovered why Wellington has a reputation as the culinary capital of New Zealand.

On our first evening in the city, we dined at HIAKAI, a sophisticated, boundary-pushing restaurant that showcases Māori cuisine.

Our first full day in Wellington began at Zealandia ecosanctuary. This ground-breaking restoration project is based just 10 minutes from downtown Wellington, but it feels a million miles away from modern life. The sanctuary is home to New Zealand’s rarest birds including the Takahe, which was thought to be extinct until a family of three was discovered in Fiordland’s remote Murchison Mountains in 1948.

A ride on the Wellington Cable Car brought us back to the city and onto serious business with a tour of the New Zealand Parliament Buildings.

Wellington is home to the NZ Government, making it a great destination for international meetings focused on advocacy, activism, and government engagement.

Wellington has a venue to suit every type of group. Whether it’s art buffs looking to meet, wine and dine in the presence of high-profile art pieces in Toi Art Gallery or perhaps those looking to indulge in curiosities in The Attic at Wellington Museum.

Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre will soon be added to this cool little city’s event venue portfolio. Once it's officially open and operational in June 2023, the international convention centre will offer 18,000 sqm of event facilities.

The hard-hat tour of Tākina completed our time in Wellington and we journeyed up to Auckland, a vibrant, multicultural region.

After freshening up at Cordis Auckland, the inner-city’s largest hotel, we headed over to The Civic, a tastefully kitschy 1930s' theatre with the wow factor. Dining under the ‘stars’ in one of only seven atmospheric theatres in the world, was an awe-inspiring experience.

A day of site-inspections across Auckland ensued, from the contemporary Park Hyatt overlooking the marina to the chic Voco Auckland, home to Bar Albert, the tallest rooftop bar in all of New Zealand.

New Zealand is synonymous with its All Blacks rugby team and whether you’re a fan of the game or not, the All Blacks Experience at SkyCity will leave you feeling inspired. Through five interactive zones and one unforgettable haka (ceremonial dance), guests will learn a lot about New Zealand’s history through the game.

From one memorable experience to the next, we made our way to the Auckland War Memorial Museum to be greeted by a vibrant glimpse of Māori culture through a version of the world-famous haka. These performances can be incorporated into any event at the museum – what better way to learn about the rich history of the Māori?

I rounded off my time in Auckland by scaling new heights – literally.

The Auckland Harbour Bridge Climb is a daredevil’s way to see the city but it’s completely safe.