Top North Island Classes & Workshops

- Learn to surf at Mount Maunganui, New Zealand’s most iconic and beginner-friendly beach. - Enjoy small group sizes (max 8) for personalised guidance from expert, certified instructors. - Perfect for beginners, with step-by-step lessons in a safe, fun, and supportive environment. - All equipment provided, including surfboard and wetsuit—just bring swimwear and a towel. - Gain ocean awareness and master essential techniques, from paddling to standing on your board. - Create unforgettable memories as you connect with the ocean and ride your first waves. - Experience the thrill of surfing while surrounded by stunning coastal scenery.

Discover Waiheke Island's wine scene on a small-group tour starting at Matiatia Ferry Terminal. Visit Oneroa Village for coffee, then explore family-owned boutique wineries off the beaten path along native bush-lined roads. Taste up to 15 premium handcrafted wines from sustainable vineyards, enjoy lunch options, and experience the island's authentic charm in a relaxed setting.

Bring a fantastical character to life: Be led through sculpting basics by Wētā Workshop crew & bring a 3D character to life! Learn how to craft a sculpture: From household materials and modelling clay. Take your sculpture home to finish and display!

Driving Creek’s pottery classes offer an authentic, hands-on creative experience in one of New Zealand’s most iconic pottery settings. Built on the legacy of Barry Brickell and a thriving community of local artists, these workshops invite you to slow down, connect, and create with clay surrounded by native forest. Whether you’re a first-timer or an experienced potter, you’ll learn real techniques in a working studio that continues to inspire generations of makers. Every class directly supports Driving Creek’s not-for-profit mission to nurture creativity, art, and the environment.

Create a one-of-a-kind wine blend in a hands-on session led by an experienced wine host. This interactive Wine Blending Experience, set in the serene surroundings of Matakana, invites participants to craft their own unique red wine blend while discovering the intricacies of wine blending. Enjoy a welcome glass of rose upon arrival, share a beautifully curated platter, and leave with a personalized wine blending booklet and a 375ml bottle of your own crafted blend. Perfect for creating memorable moments, this experience is ideal for special occasions, team outings, or a delightful afternoon with friends.

- Discounted Family rates. - Small group sizes (max 8) with expert, certified instructors ensuring a safe experience. - Tailored for ages 10+, and all skill levels - making it perfect for beginners and kids alike. - All equipment provided, including boards and wetsuits—just bring swimwear and a towel. - Learn ocean safety and master basics like paddling and standing on the board together. - Bond as a family while creating fun, unforgettable memories in the surf. - Soak in stunning coastal views as you share the joy of catching your first waves. - Widely regarded as the safest place to learn to surf in New Zealand. - Ideally situated right next to the best beach in the area. - Coaches with years of experience.

Sip and savor your way around Waiheke Island on this small-group wine tasting tour with a local guide. Enjoy pickup from the ferry or your accommodations and travel by air-conditioned vehicle, soaking up the scenic views and learning about the island and its inhabitants on the drive. Visit three different vineyards for wine tastings and food pairings, and enjoy a shared platter lunch with a glass of wine.

If you’ve always wanted to learn to surf, the North Auckland east-coast beach of Te Arai is an ideal place to do so. In a two-hour, small-group lesson you’ll learn everything you need to feel confident on a surfboard, including positioning, paddling technique, ocean awareness, and timing. Lessons can be designed for beginner, intermediate, and more advanced surfers.

Unleash your creativity at the Stencil Portrait Workshop, where you’ll design a striking portrait using vibrant colors and custom stencils. This two-hour session welcomes all skill levels, providing step-by-step guidance to help you craft a unique masterpiece. Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with drinks and a shared platter while creating your art on an A3 canvas panel. With limited spots available, this workshop ensures personalized attention, allowing you to fully explore your artistic expression and take home your finished piece.

Enjoy a private and authentic cooking class and home cooked meal with your host Joe in the comfort of your own residence. This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone looking to connect with local culture over food. Joe brings a diversity of culinary experiences unseen before in a local New Zealand chef – he was crowned Chef of the Year in 2013 specializing in Oriental cuisine in the UK, and awarded the privilege of overseeing the Relais and Chateaux Kitchen as sous chef. Joe is passionate about sharing his deep culinary knowledge to create fun and relaxing dining experiences for his guests. Joe's cooking focuses on gastronomic fusion delivered in a down-to-earth, socially interactive, and family friendly setting. Most of all, Joe loves creating memories with travelers from all over the world. He looks forward to teaching you and introducing you to the flavors of the region.

Enjoy a unique opportunity to visit the home of a local and cook delicious vegetarian cuisine with this private cooking class. Step into the beautiful 140-year old villa of your host Anna and learn to cook a range of vegetarian dishes in her wonderful kitchen. After you have finished cooking, enjoy your meal alongside the family at either the dining table or, in summertime, on the vine-covered deck.

Auckland’s East Coast is known for its calm and consistent surf, and the sandy beach of Te Arai is the ideal spot for beginners. Learn the basics of surfing or hone your existing skills under the guidance of a professional instructor with this 2-hour surf class. Your private lesson can be completely tailored to your ability, allowing you to learn at your own speed and benefit from one-on-one instruction.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to create a gruesome wound and use prosthetic effects to apply it to your arm? Learn the art of crafting convincing special effects by mixing blood and sculpting your own scars and scrapes at our Intro to SFX workshop.

The legends that launched a thousand meaningless, conversations and just as many hangovers! You have heard all the boring stories now try the beers that inspired them. Welcome to the 1960's and 70's when beer was big. Big bottles drank by big people. In big pubs with big tables. The only things little were the prices and the glasses. !

Aaron's Kosher tour Is an Historical inspired tour for you to see the best of Wellington. On tour you will experience Colonial and Māori heritage from the great Polynesian migration in the 10th century to the land wars in 1862 and the integration/fusion of early European culture into the Wairarapa region. Hand-picked dining and brasserie style restaurants with set menus that will inspire the foodie in you. Tour 6 hours

Sail from Auckland CBD on Island Direct’s 1:15 p.m. departure with a pre-booked seat, or take the earlier 1 p.m. Fullers360 sailing. At Matiatia, meet Colin or Richard, your private guide, for an afternoon of premium tastings, local flavours, and island stories. Enjoy complimentary coffee overlooking Oneroa Bay, followed by an olive oil tasting at Allpress Olive Groves, with mānuka honey available when possible. Choose two tasting experiences from Mudbrick, SOHO, Te Motu, or Alibi Brewing at Tantalus Estate. Along the way, take in beautiful views and enjoy local stories that bring Waiheke to life. Finish the guided portion at Cable Bay Vineyard with a charcuterie platter and a glass of wine. Linger over the views, with additional food and wine available at your own expense. When you’re ready to leave, complimentary taxi transport will take you back to the Matiatia ferry terminal.