New Zealand Entertainment

New Zealand entertainment options are diverse and exciting. We enjoy a variety of both distinctively kiwi and international food, and many of our wines have earned international recognition. Nightlife is popular in New Zealand and concerts or shows are often available in most major cities.

New Zealand Food and Wine

New Zealand's 'Pacific Rim' cuisine style takes its inspiration from regions and countries such as Europe, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Polynesia, Japan and Vietnam. This unique blend of influences has created a mouth-watering range of flavours and food available from cafes and restaurants nationwide.

For dishes that have a distinctly New Zealand style look out for lamb, pork and venison; salmon, crayfish, Bluff oysters, paua (abalone), mussels and scallops; kumara (sweet potato); kiwifruit and tamarillo; and pavlova, our national dessert, made from meringue and lashings of fresh whipped cream topped with fresh fruit or berries.

While the main centres support a few elegant, silver-service restaurants, the trend is towards more relaxed cafe-bar dining. There is a wide variety of international food available including Japanese, Indian, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Malaysian and Thai. There are more than 900 Asian restaurants throughout New Zealand.

While you are here, take the opportunity to discover more about New Zealand wines. Our white wines, particularly Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, have achieved an international reputation for excellence—and the reds are catching up fast!

New Zealand Alcohol

Most night-spots, restaurants and cafes serve liquor seven days a week. You can purchase alcohol from liquor outlets (beer, wine and spirits) and supermarkets (beer and wine only) seven days a week. Legally you must be 18 years old to buy alcohol or consume it in a public place, and you may be asked for a photo-ID.

Lively DJ and band scenes, particularly in the larger cities, have given New Zealand's night life a renewed vibrancy. You will find a variety of night-clubs, cabarets, pubs, concerts and live performances to choose from.

New Zealand Casinos

New Zealand has six casinos in Auckland, Hamilton Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin. Auckland's Sky City is easily located by its Sky Tower - one of the tallest in the world, at 328m. Visit Sky City’s main casino for non-stop action and entertainment or the Alto Casino, which is the more intimate alternative.

Sky City Casino in Hamilton is situated in the heart of the city, in a building designed to maximise our superb riverside location on the banks of the Waikato River. Floor-to-ceiling glass ensures the gaming and restaurant customers enjoy spectacular views.

The Christchurch Casino has a charm and elegance reflecting the style of the city, along with all the well-known gambling games, a fine restaurant and top class bars. Dunedin Casino is located in the Southern Cross Hotel. Parts of the building have been restored to create an opulent Monte Carlo-style atmosphere.

In Queenstown punters can choose between Sky Alpine Casino, which was located above the Hard Rock Cafe in Beach Street, (the Hard Rock Cafe in Queenstown New Zealand is no longer in business) or the smaller Wharf Casino in the Steamer Wharf building. Both offer the usual table games such as High Stakes Poker, Roulette, Backjack, and baccarat.

New Zealand Shows

Most cities stage first-class concerts and shows. Theatre, orchestral concerts, ballet, rock and jazz are well represented. For information on upcoming shows and events, visit the Ticketek or It's on in New Zealand Web sites.

New Zealand Smoking

To protect people from the health effects of second-hand smoke, smoking in all hospitality venues, including bars, restaurants, cafes, and casinos, is prohibited in New Zealand. If you smoke, please remember to smoke outside.

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