A uniquely Northland wedding venue: Wai Rua
Finding the perfect Northland wedding venue can be difficult. For those who need convenience; the compromise is often privacy. For those who desire privacy and a natural feel, accessibility is the issue! Wai Rua offers the best of both worlds: a wedding venue right here in Northland, only 20 minutes from Whangarei city, yet completely sheltered, private, and natural. Featuring a wide assortment of locations to suit wedding parties of up to 120 people; you can choose where, how and with what level of intimacy you wish to say your vows. Celebrate your love under towering native trees, facing out over the tranquil waters of one of our peaceful lakes; or – for smaller parties – choose one of our more secluded settings.
Our permanent marquee
Nestled next to the lake our permanent marquee is the perfect place to have your wedding. Allowing for covered seating for a large group of people and featuring a large deck and lawns giving you space for dancing and wedding day games. We have on site flushing toilets and close convenient parking. Being a permanent fixture means no need to put up or pull down the marquee and it’s nice and resilient even in heavier weather so wind and rain will not ruin your special day.
A unique Northland wedding venue
Once the exchange of vows has taken place, your wedding reception begins. We have unique spaces for your wedding reception, with ample room for a large marquee in case of poor or inclement weather – or to provide shade from the strong Northland sun! Your guests will be comfortably seated while eating, on our level, grassed clearings, with easy access to modern, clean facilities for both men and women. Your wedding party will also have easy, direct access to their vehicles, with a circular driveway providing immediate access to your reception location. This is particularly important for your elderly or more infirm wedding guests, making their experience of your special event as enjoyable as possible.
Private accommodation for your wedding party
For the ultimate indulgence – and the ultimate convenience – Wai Rua has a range of onsite accommodation available for your wedding guests. Our private Cottage is a completely self-contained, 1-bedroom cottage, surrounded by nature and overlooking Wai Rua’s unique volcanic boulder fields. The Cottage is ideal for the wedding couple, providing luxury accommodation an easy stroll away from your wedding or reception venue. Other accommodation options due to be released soon include the Homestead, which has sleeping options for up to 4 guests, including the use of a private saltwater swimming pool and all facilities. For those who wish to remain in a more natural setting, our Yurt accommodation brings the essence of green luxury to life, with comfortable camping in spacious, NZ-made yurts, located in complete privacy beside our lower lakes.
Wedding catering and transport
Wai Rua is located a 20-minute drive from Whangarei city, allowing for easy transport options for your wedding guests. We are happy to help organise your transport, and we can also arrange for light refreshments throughout the day. Currently, we are unable to provide a full wedding menu, however we are happy to work with you in achieving your needs.