Join in on these special events to make the most of your experience in this stunning part of the country!
We have organised some amazing field trips taking place on the 20th of March and the social events on the evening of the 21st of March.
Minimum and maximum numbers apply, so get in quick to avoid missing out. Please note that if minimum numbers are not reached, some functions may be cancelled.
All prices are GST exclusive.
The first section of the 65km Te Awa River ride was opened in 2009, with the last section completed this year. The trail has been generously supported by the Waikato community and local Councils of Waikato District, Hamilton City and Waipa. In recent years, there’s also been investment from Waka Kotahi that see the trail as a viable commuter link for people moving between the towns of Ngāruawāhia, Hamilton and Cambridge.
Join BBO in riding the trail from Hamilton through to the bustling village of Cambridge.
Along the way, take in the sights and sounds of the River, with stops looking at key infrastructure at the new Peacocke River Bridge, responses to populations of endangered species and the challenges of a growing population vs fertile land. A trip into the Waipa District would also not be complete with a visit to a true home of champions, the Grassroots Trust Velodrome. Finish the afternoon off with a beer and some food at Good George Cambridge.
Feel free to wear whatever gear you feel comfortable in.
Includes - E-Bike Hire, Water bottle, lunch, afternoon tea and transport.
Thank you to our field trip sponsor:
Huntly Section Waikato Expressway
The 15 km Huntly section of the Waikato Expressway was completed in 2020 and includes a number of significant cultural and ecological initiatives that were undertaken as part of the project. This field trip will visit some of those initiatives alongside a tour of the completed expressway and will include presentations from key stakeholders along with short walks to some key cultural sites along the route, including Te Iringa Lagoon and Te Uapata Paa. To fuel up for our walks we will also enjoy a hearty pub lunch at the iconic heritage-listed Rangiriri Hotel, over 150 years old. Come with your walking shoes, prepared to learn about the cultural and ecological challenges posed by the project and the creative solutions that were developed by the Waka Kotahi project team in collaboration with the local Tangata Whenua Working Group.
Includes - Morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, water bottle and transport.
Thank you to our field trip sponsor:
Ngaaruawaahia Town Centre Revitalisation, Waikato River, Hakarimata Walk and Kimihia Lakes.
Join us for an informative walking excursion, where we shall delve into the rich cultural heritage of the picturesque Ngaaruawaahia. This historically significant location served as the residence and final resting place of the inaugural Maori King, Potatau Te Wherowhero (1770-1860). Our tour will emphasise the ongoing town centre revitalisation endeavours, with a particular focus on exciting prospects such as the redevelopment of the corner main street site, enhancements to various intersections, planning for future growth, and the extension of the Te Awa River Ride. These developments aim to foster stronger community connections with both the river and the surrounding land.
After lunch at the lively new Durham Street Precinct, attendees will have the option of walking part of the Hakarimata Ranges or taking a bus tour of Kimihia Lakes.
In 2017, the former Huntly East Mine was purchased by Huntly locals Murray and Jennifer Allen with the vision of developing this 100ha site into a destination multi-purpose recreation, education and natural park facility based around the future freshwater lake formed by the filling mine pit. This vision, referred to as the Kimihia Lakes Development Project, will create a social, environmental and economic legacy for the benefit of the Huntly community and wider region.
On this tour the project team will explain the journey that has been undertaken thus far; providing an overview of the Masterplan for the site and the bespoke Special Purpose Zoning that was obtained for the site under the current District Plan review process, showcase the environmental enhancements initiatives and various activities already being undertaken, and outline the next steps for the site.
Attendees are encouraged to dress in appropriate active wear.
Includes - Morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, water bottle and transport.
Thank you to our field trip sponsor:
Raglan
Whāingaroa / Raglan is a cool coastal community in the Waikato facing multiple challenges arising from its picturesque location on the Raglan Harbour and Tasman Sea. During this field trip you will hear about adaptive planning approaches to dealing with coastal erosion and other natural hazards, and the work underway to maintain a vibrant coastal community within a framework of environmental sustainability. Speakers from Waikato District Council, Waikato Regional Council and University of Waikato will provide academic and implementation perspectives on adaptive management planning and managed retreat, and a mana whenua perspective will also be provided. You will visit Ngarunui Beach, home of the Raglan Surf Life Saving Club and some of the best surf breaks in NZ; the Papahoa harbourside area where cultural and recreational facilities are facing climate challenges; the Raglan Wharf under redevelopment; and then a kayak ride (or bus trip) to Lorenzen Bay to see issues affecting the inner harbour.
Includes - Morning Tea, lunch, afternoon tea, water bottle and transport. Kayak Hire optional.
Thank you to our field trip sponsor:
He ihiihi nuku He ihiihi rangi Pride of place from land to sky – Ruakura Superhub, Your Place to grow, prosper and sustain.
Join us and Waikato-Tainui representatives for a site tour of one of Aotearoa’s largest multi-use developments. Located at the nexus of the golden triangle between Auckland and Tauranga, the Superhub is anchored by the Hamilton inland port. It will include logistics, industrial, commercial, retail, green space, and homes for approximately 4,500 families. Speakers will deliver brief presentations to share the planning and implementation story and then facilitate a tour of the key features of the development. After the site tour, delegates will be able to share their reflections over refreshments at a local bar and restaurant.
Includes - Lunch, afternoon tea, water bottle and transport.
Thank you to our field trip sponsor:
Spend the afternoon surrounded by nature. The first stop is a hidden gem, AJ Seeley Reserve, a restored gully in the heart of Hamilton. We will hear from Nature in the City on their experience restoring green spaces in the city. The next stop is the Hamilton Gardens which has been recognised as one of the world’s top tourist attractions as crowned by international travel platform Tripadvisor as one of several 2023 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best award winners. Enjoy a guided tour of the collection of gardens each with its own history, context and story, and finish with a picturesque afternoon tea.
Includes - Hamilton Garden Tour, afternoon tea, water bottle and transport.
Heritage, city transformation and street art
Join us on a hikoi to explore a mix of central city transformation developments, heritage and street art. The first part of the tour will be facilitated by Hamilton City Council, in collaboration with Waikato University lecturer Carolyn Hill, focusing on key developments/redevelopments that have contributed to the central city transformation, including a visit to Founders theatre and the new Waikato Regional Theatre. Enjoy a lunch at Victoria on River, after which follows the last hikoi for the day to explore the street art throughout the city, facilitated by Boon Art Tours and university of Waikato professor Ian White.
Attendees will need to wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for walking (must be closed footwear as we may enter an active construction site)
Includes - Morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, water bottle and street art tour.
Cambridge – Karāpiro – Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari
Join us for a journey through the Waipā district!
To start the day, we will travel south-east from Hamilton, passing some of the development around the edge of the city, where we will see the relationship Hamilton has to the surrounding rural area. We will then arrive in the fast-growing town of Cambridge to hear about some of the challenges of urban growth and rural land use change, and how these are being planned for into the future. Next, we’ll visit the Mighty River Domain at Lake Karāpiro, a large hydroelectric lake on the Waikato River, and the home of New Zealand rowing and other water sports.
After lunch, we will head to Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, a mainland ecological island, for a 1.5 hour guided walk in the one of the pest-proof enclosures. At 3,400 hectares, Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is one of the largest pest-proof fenced projects in the world. The ancient forest offers a sanctuary to populations of many of Aotearoa’s most endangered species, from birds to bats, frogs to reptiles and tuatara to giant wētā– including the recently introduced kākāpō! On the walk, we will hear more about this incredible community-led project, which aims to restore and protect the precious ecosystem of the maunga.
Attendees are encouraged to dress in appropriate active wear for the walk.
Includes - Morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, water bottle and transport.
Thank you to our field trip sponsor:
Take the opportunity to improve your swing, soak up the unique landscape and network with fellow planning professionals. Register now to participate in the first official NZPI golf tournament held in living memory, where teams will be competing for bragging rights and some awesome prizes (be in it to win it). The tournament will be taking place at the beautiful Ngaruawahia Golf Course, one of the Waikato Region’s premier golf courses located just 10 minutes north of Hamilton. The day will commence with brunch and coffee at the club where presenters will provide a brief overview of some of the key planning challenges that have presented with Ngaruawahia’s expansion over the years, and the construction of the well known Te Awa River Ride. Once everyone is fed and caffeinated we will hit the greens and kick off the tournament.
This will be a 9-hole ambrose* tournament with up to four players per team. This is by no means a tournament reserved for the dedicated golf players. Teams will be distributed so that there is a good spread of skill levels between teams and handicaps will be taken into account for the scoring. So, whether it’s your first time playing or your 1,000th time, come along and have a hit.
Beverages and snacks will be served at the clubhouse when the players have finished their rounds, and we will have a prize giving to congratulate and celebrate the winners before heading back into Hamilton in time for the Welcome Function.
Includes: 9 Hole Green Fee, Brunch, afternoon tea, water bottle and transport.
Please note: Club hire and golf cart can be purchased on the day at the club house. Club hire is limited and may result in sharing hired clubs.
We recommend bringing your own if possible.
*Ambrose Format
The Ambrose scramble format provides opportunity for all to be involved. Everyone on the team (usually 2, 3 or 4 players) tees off. The team then picks the best shot and everyone plays the next shot from that spot (i.e. must place the ball within a hands length of the chosen ball's lie. On the putts they must putt from the same spot). Each team records just one score per hole.
Please note, if you are entering your own team, we are hoping to create a level playing field with an even talent spread between teams (i.e. we want to try and avoid 4 experienced golfers in one team playing against 4 non-golfers in another). Please take this into consideration when entering your own team.
Thank you to our field trip sponsor:
A guided Good George tasting of our flagship beer cider & spirit range with an informational session on the products & the Good George path & production process from inception to current day. This will be followed by Pizza. Cash bar following the Good George Experience.
Bus departs Claudelands Event Centre at 6:00pm
Experience The Shire as you have never seen it before; your evening will begin with a fully guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set, with countless fascinating stories and anecdotes about the trilogies. Your tour concludes at the extraordinary Green Dragon Inn, where you will be provided with an exclusive Hobbiton range beverage, before being whisked away, to enjoy a banquet feast fit for a Hobbit. After dinner, your guide will take you back out to stroll the wandering paths of Hobbiton, illuminating your way will be hand-held lanterns and path lighting as you see the village breathtakingly lit up, with the opportunity to see a truly unique perspective of The Shire.
Tour duration is 4.5 hours (excluding travel to venue).
Bus departs Claudelands Event Centre at 4:00pm.
Join the Cellar masters and Vineyard hosts for vineyard tour, learn about the wine making process and taste several award-winning wines and ports, then mix and mingle over locally source cheese platters.
Bus departs Claudelands Event Centre at 5:45pm
Enjoy drinks and a variety of canapes from one of Hamilton’s best restaurants (Gothenburg) while mixing and mingling with fellow planners. Then gather into group, get your quiz hats on and have some fun with an old fashioned quiz while enjoying the stunning views over Te Awa o Waikato from Gothenburg’s private dining room.
Delegates to meet at Gothenburg restaurant 17 Graham Street, Hamilton at 6:00pm
Included: Canapes, drink on arrival, Quiz Master
A fiesta good time is guaranteed at this margarita masterclass. Learn how to make the perfect Margarita with Mexico’s expert bar masters. You’ll get to create three margaritas and eat delicious food from the Mexico kitchen, all while learning why Tequila is so much more than cheap shots at 4am.
This experience will include three margaritas and a range of Mexico’s specialties and sides including tacos, quesadillas, fried chicken and churros.
Delegates to meet at Mexico, 254 Victoria Street, Hamilton CBD at 6:15pm
Rather than focusing on plant collections, at Hamilton Gardens the emphasis is on different types of garden design. Traditional botanic gardens concentrate on plant collections, conservation, research and education, while Hamilton Gardens has the unique concept of showcasing the cultural meaning and context of gardens over the past 4,000 years. The collections of gardens at Hamilton Gardens explore the history, context and meaning of gardens. Each tells a story and offers an insight into a different civilization.
Once you’ve had a guided tour of the gardens, sit back and relax in the Piwakawaka room while enjoying some good food and drinks.
Bus departs Claudelands Events Centre at 4:30pm
You'll have the option of registering for the above events when you complete the
full or day conference registration form.
