Meeting Newz January / February 2021

Make your own beer at The Occasional Brewer [ WE LL I NGTON There is certainly plenty of choice when it comes to building venues, attractions and experiences into a Wellington incentive programme. Examples of spectacular settings in the region include Boomrock, popular for private functions and corporate events (as well as weddings). On a 1600-acre property with expansive coastal views over Cook Strait, Boomrock consists of three venues – The Lodge, The Track and The Bunkers. These purpose built venues are flexible and can host 10 to 120 guests seated. Activities on-site include extreme golf, claybird shooting, archery, axe throwing, and a wine and food challenge. Also available are hot laps and/or time trials around the private racetrack, plus a Land Rover Discovery 4WD experience, digger challenge and coastal safaris. Access to the property is by road or helicopter. A venue with ‘star power’ is Weta Workshop, where delegates can be immersed in a hands on workshop and learn some of the tricks behind bringing imaginary worlds to life. Lessons on fake blood making, prosthetics, sculpting, leather work and chainmaille will give participants some bragging rights. Food and beverage The destination is also making big strides in food and drink, with activities and special dining options built around themed outlets, artisan laneways, craft breweries and gastronomic experiences. On the former Dunlop factory in Upper Hutt, for example, Brewtown brings together 35 businesses with multiple craft breweries and a purpose built training facility. Corporate groups can access VIP brewery tours that include access to three award winning breweries, lunch, meet and greets with brewers when available and the chance to try at least 12 brews. Groups can also take a more casual approach with beer tastings and food to match, or try small batch brews. Limited edition merchandise is available if organisers want to add a souvenir to the reward experience. Boneface Brewing Co, Kererū Brewery and KūKū Restaurant, Te Aro Brewing Co, Panhead Brewery, and Good George brewing can all be found on-site, as can Wild Kiwi Distillery. Groups can access a purpose built 1200 square metre covered venue on-site, while go-karting, ten-pin bowling and ice skating are available for those who want to get some blood pumping. Still on a beer theme, The Occasional Brewer in Mt Cook, Wellington accommodates groups of up to 80 where participants learn how to make their own beer from scratch and have some fun while doing it. A few weeks after the activity, the beer is delivered to the group, attractively bottled and with the company’s custom label. Catering, guided beer tastings, and non- alcoholic brew options are available, as is The view from the lodge at Boomrock exclusive use for groups. Hannahs Laneway in Te Aro is ‘cautiously’ dubbed as ‘the world’s tastiest laneway’ and includes Fortune Favours brew bar, Golding’s Free Dive bar, Fix & Fogg peanut butter shop, Pizza Pomodoro, Lashings for sweet treats, Hanging Ditch cocktail bar, Shepherd restaurant and more. With so much variety it is ideal for amazing race type activities and can also be hired for a large group event where delegates can sample fare from the various outlets. Other Wellington fun F&B options include learning how to make the perfect coffee with Mojo Coffee experience (complete with a custom built training pod) and making dumplings with ‘the Queen of Dumplings’ Vicky Ha. Culture Wellington is also renowned as the cultural capital of New Zealand. Highly recommended for those seeking insight into the local Māori community and traditions is a visit to Te Wharewaka o Pōneke. Groups are greeted with a traditional Māori powhiri welcome and hear local iwi tell the proverb of how Wellington Harbour was formed. Participants can also learn how to make a poi, paddle a waka or lay a hāngi before enjoying some kai for lunch at adjoining Karaka Café. New Zealand’s national museum Te Papa allows groups to continue their cultural journey with a behind-the-scenes Tāonga Māori tour where delegates discover the museum’s tāonga and gain insights into Māori culture through stories. A group can have pre-dinner cocktails amongst the Treaty of Waitangi: Signs of a Nation exhibition and a guided tour through the Mana Whenua exhibition before dinner at Te Papa’s contemporary marae followed by cultural performances. [12] meeting newz [january february] 2021