New Zealand
THE ULTIMATE INCENTIVE
Kate Lawry, CEO of destination management company Liberty New Zealand, gives her top tips for delivering a unique incentive itinerary in New Zealand.
Creativity is part of New Zealand’ s DNA. From Māori carving, kapa haka( traditional performance), and weaving, to contemporary art, architecture, and film( think The Lord of the Rings and Avatar), creativity here is expressed in ways both deeply rooted and globally inspired.
Attendees can join in through:
• Workshops with Māori artists, learning flax weaving or bone carving.
• Collaborative mural painting with local artists in cities like Wellington or Christchurch.
• Film experiences in places like Hobbiton Movie Set, or Wētā Workshop in Wellington or Auckland.
• Storytelling sessions, where guests can explore Māori legends, celestial navigation, and indigenous perspectives.
Creativity elevates any programme from good to unforgettable. New Zealand offers a wide range of offsite venues that are anything but ordinary:
• Geothermal parks in Rotorua for atmospheric evening events( think steam vents, dramatic lighting, and haka under the stars)
• Wineries and vineyards in Central Otago, Hawke’ s Bay, or Waiheke Island for private tastings, garden dinners, or wine blending workshops
• Art deco buildings in Napier for themed gala nights
• Private islands or luxury lodges for intimate, high-end incentive groups
• Museums and cultural centres that double as storytelling platforms, such as the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington or Te Pā Tū Māori cultural village in Rotorua.
Planners can move beyond standard tours with excursions that surprise and engage:
• Scenic heli-picnics or mountaintop yoga sessions in Queenstown
• Urban art trails with live painting or graffiti workshops in Christchurch
• Glowworm kayaking by night on the lakes near Rotorua
• Forest immersion walks with local guides, sharing traditional knowledge and nature-based mindfulness
• Luxury train journeys or vintage steamship charters for offsite dinners in motion
New Zealand’ s culinary scene is fresh, seasonal, and increasingly adventurous, offering planners exciting ways to infuse local flavour into their programmes:
• Hāngi Feasts – Experience a traditional Māori earth oven meal, where food is slow-cooked beneath the ground. Combine the feast with cultural storytelling or performance for added depth.
• Foraging-to-Table Journeys – On Waiheke Island or in Queenstown, local chefs guide groups to forage for native ingredients and then turn them into gourmet meals.
• Wine Blending Workshops – In regions like Hawke’ s Bay or Marlborough, attendees can craft their own signature blend under expert guidance.
• Progressive Dining Experiences – Discover local cuisine through curated dine-arounds in vibrant neighbourhoods or harborside settings.
• Pacific Rim Cuisine with a Twist – Host meals prepared by award-winning Kiwi chefs using indigenous ingredients and modern techniques.
New Zealand doesn’ t just offer stunning venues; it offers deeply meaningful experiences. The spirit of manaakitanga( hospitality) and kaitiakitanga( guardianship of land and culture) is real here. Creativity is not added on, it’ s integrated into the fabric of communities, the way stories are told, meals are shared, and spaces are designed. For planners, this means your programme can be transformational, not just transactional— infused with warmth, originality, and soul.
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