Do I need a visa to visit New Zealand?

Most overseas passports will need to apply online for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) Visa which is $23 NZD and is normally issued within 72hours. At the same time you will need to pay for a International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) which is $35 NZD.

Please check the NZ Immigration page for all the requirements here: NZeTA application - request an NZeTA | Immigration New Zealand

Where is the Wedding venue?

The wedding is being held at Hillbrook Estate, 162F Whitipirorua Road, Whangamata, New Zealand. See the Wedding Itinerary page for all the information and as a reminder this is an outdoor wedding so please where heels that are stable on grass.

It is a short 20min drive from the organised accommodation Marine Reserved Apartments in Whangamata.

Is there transport to the Wedding venue?

Yes. There will be a bus shuttling people to and from the wedding venue on the day that will leave from the Marine Reserved Apartments in Whangamata. The last return bus will be at 11.30pm.

Can I bring a plus one?

We are having a small close family and friends wedding so only those that have been named on your ‘Save the Date’ or ‘Invitation email’ have been allocated to the guest list for the wedding day. However if you do have a partner please bring them along to the beach day as we are not restricted on numbers then.

Who is invited to the Day After Beach Day?

We encourage wedding guests and their family/friends to join us for the day after the wedding Beach day. This is a totally casual day to enjoy the private beach, eat some good food from the food truck and spend quality amount family friend and children. To give us any idea about the size of your group for catering purposes please fill this out on the RSVP form, but everyone is welcome even if not included on the form. We will organise carpools for the beach day - as we expect people will want to arrive and leave at different times.

Is this a child friendly wedding?

We would like to be able to accommodate all children however we are only allowing young babies of a few select guests that have no other childcare options available to them.

We do welcome to bring your young children to the beach day and any caretakers that have been looking after them on the wedding day.

How do we get to Whangamata from Auckland?

Whangamata is about a 2 hour drive from Auckland Airport. You can hire a car to drive (on the left side of the road) or book a seat on the bus we will be organising for our international guests. You will see there is a question about this on the RSVP form.

Travel to Whangamata on Thursday 6th February - 

12.00pm: Pick up from Auckland city (Sky Tower building)

1:00pm: Pick up from Auckland Airport (meeting point to be confirmed)

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Returning back to Auckland on Sunday the 9th February: 

10.30am: Pick up at Marine Reserved Apartments - 412 Ocean Road, Whangamata 

Est 12:30pm: Drop off at Auckland Airport (same meeting point as pick up - TBC)

Est 1.30pm: Drop off at Auckland city (Sky Tower building)

Is there a gift registry?

As we live overseas we would rather you join us as a gift for our special day. We will have a wedding card box for any well wishes.

Can I take pictures and put them on social media?

Most of you will know how much Nick LOVES aka Hates the gram, so we will be having an unplugged ceremony as we have professional photographers and videographers to capture the moments. If you would like to take pictures after the ceremony have at it but please wait to post any pictures of the bride and groom.

Where are some good brunch /lunch spots in Whangamata?

PORT ROAD PROJECT - is a favourite brunch spot with tourist and locals that also has outdoor seating and is open from 8am

Six Forty Six - is a local brunch & lunch spot that is open from 7am

Where are some good dinner spots in Whangamata?

Camina - is a great spanish restaurant, they are small resturant so we recommend booking as they only take reservations for tables of up to 6 give them a call on +64 07 280 4522 between 12pm-5:30pm to book.

Smoky Pallet Freehouse - is a local pub / smokehouse with a great selection of craft beers. they are open from 12pm - to book a table email bookings@smokypallet.co.nz.

Check out The Bluefish Takeaways on the main road for traditional fish and chips that you can take to the beach to enjoy the sunset.

Rassasy Restaurant - is a Tapas restaurant which is well know in the area and can be busy in the weekends so again recommend booking in advance.

Which Airport is best to fly into from North America or the Uk?

Please book your flights into Auckland International Airport. It is the largest airport in New Zealand and has the most flights incoming per day. Some suggestions of airlines to book with from ..

North America

Air New Zealand, Qantas, Qatar, United, Delta, American Airlines, Virgin Australia

UK

Air New Zealand, British Airways, Cathy Pacific, China Southern, Emirates, Singapore Airlines Qantas, Qatar, American Airlines, Virgin Australia

What should I do in New Zealand for a Holiday before/after the wedding?

You can check out the local recommendations on our plan your holiday pages that our friends have pulled together for NZ and Australia.

Another good source of information is the NZ Tourism website here - Welcome to New Zealand | Official site for Tourism New Zealand (newzealand.com)