Support Services
event, wedding or conference
A successful conference is getting delegates together and delivering a great experience. It is the result of careful planning, communication, ideas, and very good research to make an event run smoothly. Conferences and major events need the attention to detail, the hours of work and the knowledge to make it a success and in Taupo there are experts and specialist people who can assist, support and contribute.
Conference and Event Organisers
Professional conference organisers (PCO's) manage conferences and events on a full time basis. They can make organising a conference or event very easy for you and take away the hassle and worry completely. Taupo has several professional people who can plan that conference or wedding for you. They will also be on site during the event. This is also a list of PCO's that will work anywhere in New Zealand. Taupo is a destination PCO's love to work in. Look up www.conventionsnz.com for the latest list, contact the Convention Bureau in Taupo for more advice.
Tours and Transport
Air New Zealand
The Lake Taupo region has an airport facility 4 kilometres from town that can cater for aircraft, seating up to 80 people. The current schedule to Taupo, direct from Auckland and Wellington, is run by Air NZ link. The timetable changes quite regulargly but bookings can be made online www.airnewzealand.co.nz or PH 0800 737 000.
Charter Services
We also have a committed charter service available from three operators who are committed to provide a reliable and affordabe charter service to the Lake Taupo Region. It could be to your advantage to fill a plane and get everyone here at the same time and rather than wait for a scheduled flight service. Sometimes it can be cost effective at the same time. Air NZ, Air National sales@airnational.co.nz and Skylink sales@skylink.co.nz can all offer you this service.
Local Tour/Coach Operators
Paradise Tours offer exclusive charters, tailor made for small or large groups. They can transfer your group to and from the airport, marina, restaurant or activities. While business men/woman are at a conference, Paradise Tours can drive and guide the attending partners on a tour of the region. They may like to enjoy an Art & Wine Tour or take in the sights.
Other local coach companies for large groups include Taupo Passenger Services or Alpine Scenic Tours
Audio Visual Services
AVP or Audio Visual People will look after all your AV needs, event staging, hire of equipment, installation, videoing, DVD production ... all your conference requirements. Most of the venues have their own equipment set up and have a technical person looking after you but if not, why not ask for AVP services to make your day run smoothly.
Speakers & Entertainment
You may be looking for a band or a DJ, a speaker or an MC, you may want someone to theme your event and have entertainment as part of the theme. Mostly the venue conference coordinator or the Convention Bureau may be able to assist you. Another contact would be : Corporate Adventures for fun acitivites or Celebrity Speakers for that evening of entertainment .
There are local bands available depending on your specific requirements. Try - Off Broadway, Jazz, Forty Plus Trio, String instruments, Pipe Band, On The Fly, Hard To Beat.
Catering
| Eat Catering | Telephone | +64 7 377 3011 |
| Silver Service Catering | Telephone | +64 7 378 0243 |
| Party Line Caterers | Telephone | +64 7 378 4604 |
| Chris's Catering | Telephone | +64 7 378 5920 |
Restaurants (other than the one at your venue!)
Maybe you wish to take your whole group to a restaurant or have a progressive dinner, sampling a different restaurant for each course. You may want your board meeting in a private room in the restaurant while the partners enjoy a scrumptuous lunch.
Plateau is ideal for all of the above ... a contemporary and stylish venue that offers its whole restaurant/bar to groups of up to 200 and has a private room that can cater for 30.
The Bach is a multi award winning restaurant of high international standard with a wine list that is ranked amoung the top five wine lists in NZ. Great location overlooking the lake and mountains.
The Brantry Restaurant is located in a 1950's town house with low ceilings, an open fire and a timeless decor. The food is excellent contemporary NZ cuisine and the restaurant caters for up to 60 people for a sit down function.
Villinos V Bar & Restaurant is situated in the centre of Taupo and offers lunch and dinner in an elegant modern atmosphere. Gourmet European cuisines, a perfect venue for a sit down function for 60 or private dining in the gallery for up to 30.
Huka Vineyard Restaurant is located in and around the Wishart Winery, so not only can you have cellar door wine tastings but the restaurant offers an excellent dining experience either on their large verandah overlooking Mt Tauhara or inside the restaurant which holds 40 diners.
On Tap is a bar/restaurant with a casual atmosphrere - an excellent choice of cuisines with large servings! A group can book out the whole restaurant / bar.
Lotus Thai is of course Thai food and excellent. A small group wantings this style of cuisine can book a large table and there is a choice of banquet style or a la carte.
SOB (South of the Boarder) is a wonderful casual bar/restaurant with Mexican style food, peanuts are shelled and thrown on the floor, the music is trendy and the staff are just fantastic.
The Clubhouse, have a casual lunchtime BBQ on their deck overlooking the lake. They can take a large group and can organise the Double Decker bus to transport you to and fro. Cook your own BBQ if you wish or have the chef cook it for you!