Weddings at Tui Hills - The Ultimate Guide By Avya Hlaváč

Tui Hills is a beloved all-in-one wedding venue nestled in the Waitākere Ranges. Its native bush surroundings showcase the beauty of rural New Zealand, while the venue is modern and light-filled, with packages to suit every kind of wedding. 

Why Tui Hills?

Location
1012 Scenic Drive North, Swanson, Auckland.

Distance from CBD
A 30-minute drive from central Auckland.

Capacity
Up to 120 guests for ceremonies and receptions.

Style
Modern, light-filled spaces with native bush views.

Exclusivity
Entire venue hire included.

Key Feature
Home to the award-winning Nikau Pavilion.

Ceremony Spaces

Kōwhai Glade

The Kōwhai Glade is an enchanting outdoor area with a rotunda framed by native flora, providing a vibrant backdrop for your vows and wedding formalities. With seating for up to 120 guests, the Kōwhai Glade is perfect for couples desiring an open-air ceremony.

Nikau Pavilion

For an all-weather option, the award-winning Nikau Pavilion offers a translucent roof and sliding glass walls, blending indoor comfort with the beauty of the outdoors. The innovative design ensures a seamless experience, rain or shine.

Reception Spaces

Nectar Room

The historic Nectar Room, with its native timber flooring and internal hanging garden, sets the stage for memorable receptions. Fully air-conditioned and equipped with a stocked bar, it accommodates dining and dancing for up to 120 guests.

Packages & Pricing

One of the venue’s standout features is its pricing transparency and flexibility—offering options for both large and intimate celebrations without compromising quality.

Venue Hire – Classic Weddings (8-Hour)

Venue Hire – Compact Weddings (5-Hour)

Displayed pricing is the 2024/25 season, which ends on September 30 2025.

Minimum spends apply to all bookings.

Classic Weddings include: Exclusive venue hire, all furniture, tableware, a day-of wedding host, setup/pack-down, and planning support.

Compact Weddings include: A shorter 5-hour celebration for up to 60 guests with the essentials, styling flexibility, and great value.

For more on pricing and packages, see here.

Dining Options

Whether your vision includes shared dishes or a formal plated dinner, Tui Hills caters to a wide range of tastes and dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free.

Menu Pricing:

"The food was fantastic—there was so much variety, and the canapés were my favourite. Dinner was huge! No one left hungry, and the meat was cooked to perfection. We got the unlimited drinks package, and the dance floor was an absolute blast as a result. Everyone—young and old—danced and laughed the night away."

- Kellie & Aaron

Displayed pricing is the 2024/25 season, which ends on September 30 2025.

For more on wedding menus, see here.

Cultural Weddings at Tui Hills

Tui Hills is an Auckland venue that actively celebrates the diversity of New Zealand's wedding traditions. Whether planning a Chinese tea ceremony, a vibrant Indian celebration, or a soulful Pasifika gathering, the team at Tui Hills provides flexibility, cultural sensitivity, and tailored services to bring your traditions to life.

Chinese Weddings

Tui Hills supports Chinese couples in crafting a celebration honouring heritage and modern style.

Highlights include:

• Guidance on incorporating traditions like the tea ceremony
• Customised floral styling with auspicious red and gold tones
• Premium menu options or external Chinese cuisine caterers by arrangement
• Use of the Nikau Pavilion or Nectar Room for banquets

Filipino Weddings

Tui Hills caters to the joyful and community-driven spirit of Filipino weddings, including religious and cultural elements that make your big day truly personal.

Highlights include:

• Flexible ceremony formats, including Catholic blessings
• Room for a money dance, traditional songs and performances
• Buffet menus or plated dining to suit your family-style celebration
• Karaoke, lawn games, and entertainment add-ons to keep the vibe fun

Indian Weddings

Tui Hills is a stunning, nature-based venue for Indian couples seeking to celebrate their culture.

Highlights include:

• Spacious outdoor and indoor options for Mandap setups
• Partnership with specialist Indian caterer for authentic cuisine
• Vendor recommendations for Indian DJs, celebrants, and photographers
• Ample time for traditional rituals and extended celebrations
  
  
  

Pasifika Weddings

Tui Hills brings island hospitality to life with wedding packages that celebrate Samoan, Tongan, Cook Islands, Fijian and other Pacific cultures.

Highlights include:

• Pasifika menu featuring favourites like palusami, mamoe lamb ribs and Ika Mata
• Outdoor ceremony spaces ideal for cultural blessings or kava ceremonies
• Entertainment space for live music, traditional dance and choirs
• AV and live streaming options for overseas family
  
  

Onsite Management & Planning Support

Beyond a stunning venue, Tui Hills is known for its highly experienced, in-house team who are dedicated to making wedding planning simple and stress-free for all couples.

Day-of Coordination

Every wedding package comes with a dedicated wedding host who coordinates your day from start to finish—valued at $1,500. They’ll be by your side to manage the timeline, check every detail, liaise with vendors, and make sure your glass is always topped up.

Concierge Planning Options

Couples consistently praise the Tui Hills team for their responsiveness, organisation, and ability to bring wedding visions to life. Whether you want full-service support or just need help getting started, their approach is tailored to you.

For more on planning support, see here.

Photography Locations

Tui Hills offers plenty of picturesque backdrops for wedding photos, both on-site and nearby.

On-site options include:

• Native bush surrounds with established ferns, trees, and dappled light

• The Kōwhai Glade and rotunda for romantic ceremony shots or dramatic backlit captures

• The modern Nikau Pavilion with its striking design and soft, ambient light

• Fairy lights, pathways, and private corners throughout the property

Nearby locations worth visiting for portraits:

• Bethells Beach: A dramatic black-sand beach just 20 minutes away, perfect for sunset sessions
• Scenic Drive Lookout: A panoramic viewpoint close by for sweeping shots of the Waitākere Ranges
• Cascade Kauri Park or the surrounding regional parkland: Great for adventurous couples seeking a touch of wild New Zealand landscape
  
  

Whether you're after ethereal forest lighting or rugged coastal romance, Tui Hills makes it easy to capture the wedding photos of your dreams.

Dog-friendly Wedding Venue

Tui Hills welcomes furry friends to partake in your special day!

• The dog must be approved by the venue manager beforehand.
• Dogs must have a leash and be kept under control at all times.
• Dogs are allowed to stay on the premises up until the time guests go in for dinner.
• There’s a pet bond which is returned if the dog hasn’t made a mess requiring clean-up or damaged anything.
• Owners are responsible for the full cost of any damage their dog causes.

Accommodation

Chapman House

Just a short stroll from Tui Hills, Chapman House is a newly renovated five-bedroom holiday home offering a light, airy retreat surrounded by nature.

With sweeping views over the Waitākere Ranges all the way to the Sky Tower, it’s the perfect accommodation for out-of-town guests or a luxurious start (or end) to your wedding celebration.

Whether you’re booking for your bridal party, family or as a romantic suite for two, Chapman House offers flexibility and privacy.

The entire property is booked exclusively—so whether you’re a couple or a group of ten, it’s yours alone to enjoy.

Book directly through Chapman House for the best price, see here.

Award-Winning Design

The architectural centrepiece of Tui Hills, the Nikau Pavilion, was awarded a Gold Medal for Spatial Design at the prestigious Best Design Awards by the Designers Institute of New Zealand.

Completed in 2023, this stunning structure features translucent panels, elegant draping, and a soaring 7-metre ceiling.

The judges praised the pavilion for its lightness, innovation, and seamless integration with the surrounding native bush, calling it a "well-considered intervention" that elevates the event experience.

This award is a testament to Tui Hills’ commitment to design excellence and its dedication to offering couples not just a venue, but a setting that’s both beautiful and functional—rain or shine.

Real Weddings at Tui Hills

"Everyone at Tui Hills was flexible and accommodating; they made sure that we were happy with all aspects of our wedding. Paige was fantastic and she brought us champagne straight after the ceremony and while our photos were being taken. She also brought us over canapés and our dinner so that we got to try everything and didn’t have to go over to the buffet. I couldn’t stop smiling all day, and many of our guests said it was the best and happiest wedding they had ever been to."

— Kellie, 2024 bride

"Hearing the Kererū's and Tūī birds play in the bushes all around us felt very special. The low autumn sun filled the glade with the most magical light, and yet it wasn't too cold for late April."

— Stephanie, 2024 bride

"Tui Hills was the first venue we visited, but we knew straight away it was the one for us. It gave us the intimate feel we were after and had a lush bush setting and an elegant reception venue. They made planning easy, which was essential for two busy working parents of three. All our guests raved about the venue and the food on the day; we couldn't have been happier."

— Anna, 2022 Bride

Tips for Couples Considering Tui Hills

• Early Booking: Popular dates, especially Saturdays in summer, fill quickly. Secure your date well in advance.
• Budget Planning: Take advantage of the personalised online proposal tool to tailor your package to your needs.
• Make it Yours: Mix and match extras like lawn games, styling, the Tui Suite and more to personalise your day.
• Cultural Celebrations: If you're incorporating cultural elements, speak with the team early to ensure seamless integration.
• Attend an Open Day: Seeing the venue in person can help visualise your celebration and meet the planning team.
  

Think Tui Hills could be the venue for you? Make an enquiry here.