Unforgettable Celebrations Start Here
Create lasting memories for your hen party, milestone birthday, or special gathering at our award-winning Bay of Plenty distillery
+ From $95 per person | Groups of 6-16 welcome
Why Event Organisers Choose Matahui
Planning a celebration that everyone will genuinely enjoy isn't easy. You need something unique, Instagram-worthy, and inclusive enough for diverse ages and interests. Our intimate distillery experiences deliver exactly that - hands-on gin creation in a stunning garden setting, with thoughtful touches that make your event stress-free and unforgettable.
Everyone Enjoys It
Suitable for ages 18-80+, gin enthusiasts and first-timers alike. Our hands-on creation method means everyone makes something perfectly suited to their taste - no experience needed.
Instagram-Worthy
Beautiful Bay of Plenty rural setting, botanical displays in our garden, and your custom gin creations provide photo opportunities throughout. Your guests will be posting before they leave.
Award-Winning Quality
Trophy for Best Botanical Spirit in New Zealand and multiple Gold Medals mean your celebration includes genuinely exceptional gins and liqueurs - quality your guests will remember.
Stress-Free for Organizers
We handle the experience timing, education, and coordination. You can actually enjoy the celebration instead of worrying about logistics - no DIY chaos.
Thoughtful Details
Designated drivers receive takeaway tasting kits so they don't miss out. Dietary options available. Small groups (6-16) ensure personal attention from our Master Distillers.
Personal Takeaways
Every guest creates and takes home their own unique gin (200ml, 500ml, or 700ml options). It's a memory they can literally taste for weeks after your celebration.
Perfect For Your Special Occasion
Hen Parties & Bachelorettes
Create the standout hen party your bride deserves. Sophisticated fun without the cringe, perfect for mixed ages, and everyone leaves with their own custom gin creation. Groups of 6-16 welcome.
Popular additions: Seasonal platter ($29pp), private venue booking
Typical booking: 8-12 guests, Saturday or Sunday late morning, 2.5-3 hours
Milestone Birthdays
30th, 40th, 50th, or any birthday worth celebrating differently. Move beyond dinner reservations to a hands-on experience your friends will talk about. Create custom gins together in our award-winning distillery.
Popular additions: Seasonal platter, birthday cake accommodation, gift bottle for birthday person
Typical booking: 8-14 guests, flexible days, 2.5-3 hours
Friend Reunions & Special Gatherings
School reunions, friendship anniversaries, "just because" celebrations - gather your people for something memorable. Learn gin-making together from Master Distillers in our intimate Bay of Plenty setting.
Popular additions: Seasonal platter, extra bottle purchases
Typical booking: 6-12 guests, Wednesday to Sunday, 2.5-3 hours
What Your Group Will Experience
Transform your celebration into an unforgettable 2.5-hour hands-on journey
Meet Your Master Distillers
Your group receives a warm welcome from our expert team. Explore our unique Flavour Library - the only one in New Zealand - tasting 20+ individual botanicals. From citrus and florals to native kawakawa and horopito, everyone discovers the building blocks of exceptional gin.
Everyone Crafts Their Perfect Gin
This is where the magic happens. Each guest designs their own gin recipe using what they've learned. Whether your group includes gin enthusiasts or complete beginners, our expert guidance ensures everyone creates something they'll genuinely love. It's hands-on, interactive, and more fun than your group expects.
Your Creations Come to Life
While our distillers blend everyone's custom gins fresh on-site, your group can relax in our garden, take photos in the beautiful Bay of Plenty setting, or browse our Cellar Door. Each person's recipe is saved digitally for future re-orders. Everyone takes home their gin in their chosen bottle size.
Guided Tasting & Toast
The celebration finale! Enjoy a guided tasting featuring 3 of our award-winning gins (including Gold Medal winners) and 3 artisan liqueurs (including our Trophy-winning Fennel Liqueur - Best Botanical Spirit in NZ). Finish with a miniature cocktail and toast your celebration. Plus, 10% off any purchases today.
Choose Your Celebration Package
Flexible options to suit your group size and celebration style
From $95 per person
Classic Celebration Package
From $95 per person
Includes:
• 2.5-hour hands-on gin-making experience
• Taste 20+ botanicals in our Flavour Library
• Create your own gin recipe with expert guidance
• Take home 200ml bottle of your custom gin
• Guided tasting: 3 premium gins + 3 liqueurs + cocktail
• Digital recipe saved for easy re-ordering
• 10% discount on Cellar Door purchases
Best For: Groups of 10-16, budget-conscious celebrations, tasting-focused events
Signature Celebration Package
From $130 per person
Includes:
• Everything in Classic Package, PLUS:
• Take home 500ml bottle of your custom gin (instead of 200ml)
• Enhanced value per guest
Best For: Hen parties, milestone birthdays, special occasions, groups of 8-12
Private Group Experience
From $150 per person
Includes:
• Everything in Signature Package, PLUS:
• Take home 700ml bottle of your custom gin (instead of 500ml)
• Best value per ml
Best For: VIP celebrations, groups who want maximum takeaway, wedding party gifts
Popular Add-Ons
Seasonal Platters
$29 per person
Beautiful seasonal platter featuring finest NZ artisan ingredients and fresh produce from our gin garden. Perfect for extending your celebration and keeping energy up.
Private Venue Booking
Exclusive use of our distillery for groups of 10-16. Pricing varies by day and time. Enquire for availability.
Custom Gift Bottles
Additional bottles as gifts for your guest of honor, bridesmaids, or party favours. Volume discounts available.
All packages customisable to your celebration needs
What Makes Us Different
Why Celebrations at Matahui Are Special
Designated Drivers Included
We Don't Forget Your Designated Drivers
One of the most thoughtful touches we offer: designated drivers receive a takeaway taster so they can enjoy our award-winning gin at home. No one misses out on the experience.
Actually Instagram-Worthy
Photo Opportunities Throughout
Our lush Bay of Plenty permaculture garden, botanical displays, and beautiful product presentations create natural photo moments. Your group won't need to force the Instagram content - it's genuinely gorgeous.
Suitable for All Ages 18+
Everyone Enjoys The Experience
Whether your group includes recent university graduates or your mum's friends, our hands-on creation method and expert guidance make everyone feel welcome and engaged. We've hosted hen parties with 30-year age spans successfully.
No Gin Experience Required
Beginners & Enthusiasts Both Love It
You don't need to know anything about gin to create something exceptional. Our Flavour Library and Master Distiller guidance mean everyone - from "I've never had gin" to "I'm a gin nerd" - makes something they genuinely love.
Award-Winning Quality
Trophy for Best Botanical Spirit in NZ
Your celebration includes genuinely exceptional spirits - not just "good enough for an activity." Multiple Gold Medals and our national Trophy prove small-batch excellence your guests will notice and appreciate.
Intimate Groups, Personal Attention
Maximum 16 Guests Per Experience
We keep celebrations intimate so everyone gets personal guidance from our Master Distillers. You're not herded through like a commercial tour - there's time for questions, experimentation, and genuine connection.
What Event
Organisers Say
"Fabulous "significant" birthday event at Matatuhi distillery. Created our bespoke gin mixes and were entertainingly educated about the distilling process, botannicals and products. Thanks team, a very enjoyable morning!"
"Paul and Angela were wonderful hosts for our private gin tasting and experience designing our own gins! They were both very friendly, knowledgeable and happy to answer all of our questions. It was also really great value for money, as we left with our own 500mL bottle of designer gin. Would definitely recommend, and it’s worth the trip from hamilton for sure."
4.9/5 stars from 200+ Google review
FAQs For CELEBRATIONS
Questions Event Organizers Ask
We welcome celebration groups of 6-16 people. For regular bookings, we can accommodate up to 8 guests per standard session (you may share the session with another small group). For groups of 10-16, we offer private bookings where you have exclusive use of our distillery - perfect for hen parties, birthdays, and special celebrations where you want privacy. Enquire about private booking availability and pricing.
We recommend booking 6-8 weeks ahead for celebration events, especially if you need a Saturday. Popular weekend dates fill quickly, particularly during peak wedding season (November-March). However, if your celebration is coming up sooner, contact us anyway - we may have availability or can suggest alternative dates.
This is one of our favorite thoughtful touches! Designated drivers receive takeaway tasting kits so they can enjoy our award-winning gins and liqueurs at home after your event. They participate fully in the gin-making experience and tasting education - they just don't consume alcohol on-site. No one misses out.
Absolutely! All participants must be 18+, but we regularly host celebrations with groups ranging from 25 to 65 years old. Our hands-on creation method and expert guidance work for everyone from "I've never had gin" to "I'm a gin enthusiast." Hen parties often include the bride's friends (20s-30s) and mum's generation (50s-60s) - everyone genuinely enjoys the experience.
Great question! The beauty of our Flavour Library approach is that everyone creates gin perfectly suited to THEIR taste. Guests who "don't like gin" often discover they love certain botanical combinations. Plus, during the tasting portion, we also feature 3 artisan liqueurs (including our Trophy-winning Fennel Liqueur) which appeal to different palates. The focus is creation and discovery, not forcing anyone to drink gin.
Due to licensing requirements, we cannot allow outside food or beverages. However, we offer a delicious seasonal platter add-on ($29pp) featuring NZ artisan ingredients and produce from our garden. We also have a licensed Cellar Door where you can purchase additional refreshments. For meals before or after, we're happy to recommend nearby restaurants.
Start by completing our celebration enquiry form or emailing us at ask@matahuidistillery.com with your preferred date, group size, and any special requests. We'll confirm availability and provide a quote. For group bookings, we can invoice one organizer or provide individual payment links - whatever works best for your celebration. Full payment or deposit required to secure your booking.
Your per-person price includes: the full 2.5-hour hands-on experience, tasting 20+ botanicals in our Flavour Library, creating your own gin recipe with expert guidance, your custom gin bottle (200ml, 500ml, or 700ml depending on package), guided tasting of 3 premium gins + 3 artisan liqueurs + signature cocktail, digital recipe saving, and 10% discount on Cellar Door purchases today.
Comfortable, casual clothes are perfect. We recommend closed-toe shoes (no heels or sandals) as you'll be in an active distillery environment. Layers are good as temperatures vary between the distillery and garden areas. Most importantly, wear something you're comfortable in for photos - you'll want to remember this celebration!
Absolutely! We encourage photos throughout your experience - the garden, your gin creation process, group shots, everything. We only ask that you don't photograph other guests without their permission if you're sharing a session. Tag us on Instagram @matahuidistillery so we can celebrate your celebration too!
If you cancel or reschedule 14 or more days before your celebration, you'll receive a full refund or can move to a new date. Cancellations within 14 days are non-refundable, though we understand life happens with large groups. Contact us as early as possible if you need to make changes - we'll work with you to find solutions.
We understand group numbers can shift as your celebration approaches. Let us know as soon as possible if you need to increase or decrease your headcount. For increases, we'll accommodate if space allows. For decreases more than 14 days before your event, we'll adjust accordingly. Within 14 days, you'll be charged for the originally booked number.
Our Flavour Lab is accessible via a wheelchair-friendly ramp. However, we currently don't have a wheelchair-accessible toilet. We're working on expansion plans to improve accessibility. If you have specific accessibility needs for your celebration, please call us at (07) 282 7652 so we can discuss how to ensure everyone in your group can participate fully.
Yes! We're happy to provide recommendations for accommodation in the Bay of Plenty. Many celebration groups (especially hen parties and out-of-town birthdays) stay overnight in Tauranga (35 minutes away) or locally in Katikati (10 minutes). Contact us for our preferred accommodation partners who understand celebration groups.
How to Book Your Celebration
Tell Us About Your Celebration
Complete our enquiry form or email ask@matahuidistillery.com with:
• Preferred date(s)
• Number of guests (approximate is fine)
• Type of celebration (hen party, birthday, etc.)
• Any special requests or questions
We'll Respond Within 48 Hours
We'll check availability, answer your questions, and provide a detailed quote including any add-ons you're interested in. If your preferred date isn't available, we'll suggest alternatives.
Confirm Your Booking
Once you're happy with the details, we'll send confirmation and payment options.
Arrive Ready to Create & Celebrate
We'll send you all the details you need a week before your celebration. Just arrive ready to have an unforgettable time creating custom gins with your favourite people.
Enquire About Your Celebration
We'll respond within 48 hours with availability and pricing
Prefer to Chat Directly?
Email: ask@matahuidistillery.com
Phone: (07) 282 7652
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 11am-6pm
Sunday 11am-4pm
We respond to all enquiries within 48 hours (usually same day!)
Celebrations at Matahui
Small group experiences mean intimate, hands-on learning Sessions fill fast - especially weekends
Ready to Create Your Unforgettable Celebration?
Don't wait - popular celebration dates (especially Saturdays) fill quickly
From $95 per person | Groups of 6-16 welcome
Start Planning Today:
• Hen parties & bachelorettes
• Milestone birthdays (30th, 40th, 50th+)
• Friend reunions & gatherings
• Life events
• Team celebrations
What You Get:
• 2.5-hour hands-on gin-making experience
• Award-winning tastings (Trophy + Gold Medal winners)
• Everyone creates their own unique gin to take home
• Beautiful Bay of Plenty garden setting
• Thoughtful touches (designated driver kits, etc.)
• Lasting memories and Instagram content