Kauri Bay Boomrock

Kauri Bay is a private 500-acre property at Clevedon, with wide coastal views over the Hauraki Gulf. It is about 45 minutes by road from Auckland city, or 15 minutes by helicopter, and because it sits on a fully working farm, the team coordinates all transport for guests.

There are three individually designed spaces, the Lodge, the Bunkers and the Quails Nest. For weddings that means up to 200 seated or 250 at a cocktail-style party. Head Chef Andrew Methven builds seasonal menus, and a dedicated team handles the details, from menus and arrangements to transport and entertainment. It suits couples who want space, sea views and a farm setting within easy reach of the city.

Ceremonies are held on site, and the venue has covered spots for every kind of weather, each with a wide view, so a wet forecast need not change the plan. After the vows, guests move on to canapés and bubbles while the two of you head off to quieter corners of the farm for portraits, as there are several photo spots across the property. For a smaller celebration, the Winter Romance package covers weddings of up to 50 guests from June to September, which is winter in New Zealand. Ask the team which of the three spaces suits your numbers, about the music curfew and about the legal steps for UK couples marrying in New Zealand.

The Painted Barn is a privately owned place to stay on the farm for the night before or the night of the wedding, with two bedrooms, three queen beds and a king, a full kitchen and balconies looking over the farm. It suits the couple and a few of the wedding party. For everyone else, the venue keeps a list of local Airbnb options, so ask for it early. Because this is a working farm with limited parking, the team arranges transport on and off the property, which keeps the evening easy for guests heading back to Auckland. The claybird shooting experience makes a lively welcome day, and Auckland is the gateway airport for long-haul arrivals.