Set deep within the Waitākere Ranges, Tui Hills has built its reputation as one of Auckland’s most recognisable wedding venues – a place where native bush, mature palms and thoughtful architecture combine to create celebrations that feel distinctly modern while remaining in touch with nature.
The site itself has a history as a place for gatherings and weddings, having hosted celebrations in various forms for more than two decades. Since current owners Ruth Carpenter and Kevin Townsend took over in 2019, that legacy has been carefully evolved rather than rewritten.
Significant renovations to the main dining space, the Nectar Room, modernised the venue while preserving its character, followed in 2024 by the addition of the award-winning Nikau Pavilion – a bold architectural statement designed to sit lightly within its natural surroundings.
Outdoor ceremonies are central to the Tui Hills experience. The Kōwhai Glade is nestled deep within the gardens, surrounded by towering nikau palms and dense ferns that create a sense of immersion from the moment guests arrive. Brides enter along a fern-lined bridal path that builds anticipation and heightens the emotional impact of the ceremony. As bride Fran Beatson says, “We chose Tui Hills primarily because of the location – it felt like being surrounded by nature, without being too far from Auckland.”
This strong connection to the landscape continues throughout the day. Guests move between outdoor and indoor spaces, with sightlines, light and materials all reinforcing the feeling of being close to nature. Even as celebrations transition to the Nectar Room dining space, with its native timber floors and hanging garden, the venue stays in touch with its setting.
The Nikau Pavilion has become a defining feature, particularly valued as Auckland’s most compelling wet-weather option. Far from a fallback, the pavilion offers design sophistication that complements the bush rather than competing with it. Expansive glazing, on four sides, ensures the natural environment remains front and centre. Bride Ashlee Hay beams, “The venue looked incredible on the day – everything flowed so well, and the indoor space was just as beautiful as outside.”
Food and Kiwi hospitality add to the appeal. Menus are designed to suit the flow of each celebration, balancing polish with generosity – as bride Mikayla Palffy recalls: “The food was amazing – we had so many guests comment on how good it was.”
It’s a recurring theme in feedback, underscoring the venue’s reputation for delivering quality without pretension.
The other service that makes Tui Hills stand out is its approach to planning. The team is deeply involved from early on, guiding couples through decisions and logistics in a way that removes pressure rather than adds to it, with different levels of assistance available as couples choose. Nadia Hassan describes the experience simply: “The planning process was so easy — we felt supported the whole way through.”
More than two decades on, Tui Hills continues to evolve, offering couples a setting that feels contemporary, confident and deeply connected to its natural surroundings – a place where modern design and the New Zealand landscape are in constant conversation.
Visit tuihills.co.nz to find out more.
