Top North Island Classes & Workshops

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.

- 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.

Step into Peter Jackson's Middle-earth with this guided group tour of the Hobbiton™ Movie Set from 'The Lord of the Rings' film trilogy. Learn more about the movies than you ever would by exploring by yourself with the help of your local guide. And with a shuttle service at your disposal, you enjoy a truly seamless Matamata experience.

Join our eco-friendly tour and enjoy the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with our friendly farm animals. Meet the owner and have the chance to learn more about how we farm and care for the animals and environment. Experience a special opportunity to learn more about New Zealand wool & how it had shaped our country. Learn about the history of sheep farming in New Zealand have the chance to get hands-on and try some wool spinning. Take-home are unique piece of New Zealand history when you choose your own woolly hat. You’ll enjoy the warmth, softness in quality that can only come from a handmade, hand dyed in home-spun natural wool hat.

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.

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.

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.

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!

The black-sand Piha Beach lies along Auckland’s West Coast and is renowned for its legendary surf. With this tour, learn to surf under the guidance of a private instructor and fast-track your learning with one-to-one tuition. Whether you are a complete beginner or want to hone your surf skills, this private 2-hour class will be tailored to your ability and help you achieve your goals.

- 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.

Nestled on the stunning Waiheke Island, The Heke invites you to indulge in a delightful tasting experience featuring Waiheke Whisky and Waiheke Brewing Co. Enjoy a selection of curated flights in a serene setting, complete with lush gardens and a cozy cellar-door restaurant. Guided tastings take place in the luxurious Boilermaker Bar, where your knowledgeable host will introduce you to the distillery and brewery while you savor each sip. Choose from a variety of tasting options, including unique beers on tap, local spirits and acclaimed whiskies, all tailored to showcase the freshest selections of the day.

Step into the world of timeless elegance and indulge in a unique experience that combines the history of Art Deco, Distilling, and the history of Napier and the 1931 Earthquake. Beginning with our Art Deco heritage tour, we will drive through Napier City and soak up the beautifully preserved Art Deco architecture. Led by your knowledgeable local guide, you will hear stories of Napier's rich heritage, the 1931 earthquake and how it shaped the Art Deco Napier we see today. Then arrive at the breathtaking Old National Tobacco Building, an architectural gem and home to the award-winning National Distillery Company. Soak up the beauty of this heritage building and peek into the Distillery, where the Spirits you taste have been lovingly crafted. Includes tastings in a relaxed environment while you learn about the distilling process from the experts on site. - Small Group Tour * To request Alternative start times or tour customisations - Book on our Mates Travel website.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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