Hapuku Kitchen
Hapuku Kitchen Ceremony + Dining Experiences
An intimate garden oasis for couples who appreciate exceptional food, refined hospitality, and effortless elegance.
Nestled between dramatic alpine peaks and the wild Pacific coastline, Hapuku Kitchen offers a wedding experience shaped by flavour, artistry and nature. This elegant, stylish property exudes warmth and sophistication, creating a space where thoughtfully designed interiors, lush gardens and refined hosting all work in harmony.
This is a place where the kitchen is deeply connected to the land, where every ingredient has purpose, and where your celebration feels beautifully crafted, calm and deeply personal.
A Celebration of Food, Nature and Togetherness
Hapuku Kitchen is not simply a venue. It is the home and creative space of Chris and Fiona, whose culinary philosophy is rooted in seasonality, sustainability and the wild beauty of Kaikōura.
Fiona Read, an ex MasterChef finalist, guides each dining experience with a chef’s intuition and an artist’s eye. Ingredients are harvested from the property’s gardens or gathered from the surrounding coastline and hills, then transformed into dishes that are expressive, vibrant and deeply connected to place.
Ceremonies flow naturally into shared hospitality, with either seasonal canapés or a private three course “Trust the Chef “ style dinner prepared especially for your group. Whether you choose the garden’s soft greenery or the warmth of their panoramic indoor room for your vows, your day will feel grounded, elegant and unhurried.
Perfect for intimate celebrations of up to 22 guests including the couple, Hapuku Kitchen offers a deeply personal, food centred experience for those who value craftsmanship, flavour and meaningful connection.
This is Kaikōura at its most soulful. A place where food, nature and celebration come together in the most beautiful of ways.
Highlights
Private gardens with mountain views
Elegant indoor room with floor to ceiling outlooks
Chef led, seasonally inspired dining
Personal hosting by Chris and Fiona
Ceremony hire offered only as part of a food inclusive experience
Helicopter landing pad for unforgettable alpine photos
Minutes from Kaikōura yet beautifully serene
Birds, soft garden light and coastal energy all around
Warm, intimate atmosphere for meaningful gatherings
The Packages
Ceremony + Seasonal Canapés
A relaxed, elegant ceremony followed by a chef prepared canapé experience that highlights the freshest flavours from the land and sea.
Includes:
Exclusive 3 hour hosted experience
Garden or indoor ceremony space
Panoramic indoor room for Plan B
Seasonal canapés crafted by the Hapuku Kitchen culinary team
Personal hosting by Chris and Fiona
Suitable for up to 22 guests
Full planning + coordination
This minimum spend covers the first 10 guests. Smaller groups may book the experience at the same rate, with additional guests added per person dependent on group size.
From - NZD 1,500.00
Ceremony + Private 3 Course Trust the Chef Dinner
Add an intimate, beautifully curated dining experience guided by the season and the chef’s creativity. A luxurious yet relaxed way to honour your celebration with exceptional food and meaningful connection.
Optional canapés, platter boards and cheeseboards may be added to smooth the flow between your ceremony and dinner, offering a relaxed grazing moment while photographs are taken or as a beautiful pre-dinner welcome for your guests.
Includes:
Garden or indoor ceremony space
Panoramic indoor room for Plan B
Seasonal 3 Course “Trust the Chef” dinner
Produce-driven dishes inspired by the Kaikōura landscape
Local award-winning sparkling, beers and spirits (additional)
Warm, attentive hosting throughout
Suitable for up to 22 guests
Full planning + coordination
This minimum spend covers the first 10 guests. Smaller groups may book the experience at the same rate, with additional guests added at NZD 150.00 per person.
From - NZD 2,700.00
Private Dining Only
Perfect for couples who choose to hold their ceremony elsewhere, then gather with family and friends at Hapuku Kitchen for an intimate, chef-led dining experience.
Your evening begins with a warm welcome from your hosts Chris and Fiona before you are seated for a 3 course seasonal “Trust the Chef “ dining experience. The atmosphere is relaxed and elegant, with unhurried time set aside for optional cake cutting, speeches and meaningful moments together.
Includes:
Seasonal 3 Course “Trust the Chef” dinner
Produce-driven dishes inspired by the Kaikōura landscape
Local award-winning sparkling, beers and spirits (additional)
Space for speeches and/or cake cutting before dinner
Warm, attentive hosting throughout
Suitable for up to 22 guests
Full planning + coordination
From - NZD 2,100.00
This minimum spend covers the first 10 guests. Smaller groups may book the experience at the same rate, with additional guests added at $150.00 per person.
Optional Add Ons
Make your celebration uniquely yours with thoughtful touches and luxury upgrades
Additional ceremony guests (up to 24 people in total, including the couple)
Extra venue time (up to 11.00pm)
Private dining at Hapuku Kitchen (up to 24 guests)
Hapuku Kitchen ceremony option
Private helicopter flight for couples mountain top photos
Extra photography time (getting ready, first look, family session, etc.)
Videography
Local Catering Services
Bridal bouquet & buttonhole
In-room bridal hair & makeup
Ceremony seating (outdoor only)
Explore the full list with pricing here
Why Couples Love It
“The Factory felt like our own private world with stunning interiors, great outdoor spaces, the ocean and mountains all around, and everything thoughtfully taken care of.”
This is a one-of-a-kind venue, hosting only a handful of celebrations each year. Dates are limited, and demand is high during summer months.
Ready to make Hapuku Kitchen yours?
