Top North Island Classes & Workshops

Experience the real Middle-earth™ at the Hobbiton™ Movie Set, where, in the heart of the Waikato region, you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire™, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Fall in love with the Alexander family sheep farm, just as acclaimed director Sir Peter Jackson did, as you journey through the unequivocal beauty of the land with the mighty Kaimai Ranges towering in the distance. Your guide will escort you around the set, showing the intricate detailing, pointing out the most famous locations and explaining how the movie magic was made. You will be fully-guided around the 12-acre set: past the colourful Hobbit Hole™ doors that scatter the hillsides, before arriving at Bagshot Row™ for a glimpse of the interior of a humble Hobbit’s home. Finally, you will arrive at the world-famous Green Dragon™ Inn where you will receive a complimentary, exclusive Hobbit™ Southfarthing™ beverage to conclude your own Middle-earth™ adventure.

If you’ve always wanted to learn to surf, the North Auckland east-coast beach of Te Arai is an ideal place to do so. In a two-hour, small-group lesson you’ll learn everything you need to feel confident on a surfboard, including positioning, paddling technique, ocean awareness, and timing. Lessons can be designed for beginner, intermediate, and more advanced surfers.

Aaron's Kosher tour Is an Anthony Bourdain inspired tour for you to see the best ingredients cultivated locally.

Learn over a few hours the skills to create your own silver jewellery. Set in a studio in park like surrounds with local and international artworks to add inspiration. A hands on class where you will work directly on a piece of sterling silver at an individual workbench. At the end of the class you will have a hand made piece of jewellery to take home.

Your Waiheke concierge. Let us take you on a journey where soil, climate and vines co-exist in perfect harmony. This tour will tantalise the taste buds, with some food pairings to compliment your Waiheke wine tasting experience, followed by a delectable shared platter style lunch + glass of wine. Our local guides will keep you entertained with quirky island stories whilst you enjoy the magnificent scenery across vineyards and golden sand beaches. This is a perfect day trip for wine lovers so WINE not.

Join our eco-friendly tour and enjoy the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with our friendly farm animals. Meet the owner and have the chance to learn more about how we farm and care for the animals and environment. Experience a special opportunity to learn more about New Zealand wool & how it had shaped our country. Learn about the history of sheep farming in New Zealand have the chance to get hands-on and try some wool spinning. Take-home are unique piece of New Zealand history when you choose your own woolly hat. You’ll enjoy the warmth, softness in quality that can only come from a handmade, hand dyed in home-spun natural wool hat.

Learn over a few hours the skills to create your own copper jewellery. Set in a studio in park like surrounds with local and international art to add inspiration. A hands on class where you will work directly on a piece of metal at an individual workbench. At the end of the class you will have a hand made piece of jewellery to wear home.

Auckland’s East Coast is known for its calm and consistent surf, and the sandy beach of Te Arai is the ideal spot for beginners. Learn the basics of surfing or hone your existing skills under the guidance of a professional instructor with this 2-hour surf class. Your private lesson can be completely tailored to your ability, allowing you to learn at your own speed and benefit from one-on-one instruction.

The black-sand Piha Beach lies along Auckland’s West Coast and is renowned for its legendary surf. With this tour, learn to surf under the guidance of a private instructor and fast-track your learning with one-to-one tuition. Whether you are a complete beginner or want to hone your surf skills, this private 2-hour class will be tailored to your ability and help you achieve your goals.

Enjoy a unique opportunity to visit the home of a local and cook delicious vegetarian cuisine with this private cooking class. Step into the beautiful 140-year old villa of your host Anna and learn to cook a range of vegetarian dishes in her wonderful kitchen. After you have finished cooking, enjoy your meal alongside the family at either the dining table or, in summertime, on the vine-covered deck.

Enjoy a private and authentic cooking class and home cooked meal with your host Joe in the comfort of your own residence. This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone looking to connect with local culture over food. Joe brings a diversity of culinary experiences unseen before in a local New Zealand chef – he was crowned Chef of the Year in 2013 specializing in Oriental cuisine in the UK, and awarded the privilege of overseeing the Relais and Chateaux Kitchen as sous chef. Joe is passionate about sharing his deep culinary knowledge to create fun and relaxing dining experiences for his guests. Joe's cooking focuses on gastronomic fusion delivered in a down-to-earth, socially interactive, and family friendly setting. Most of all, Joe loves creating memories with travelers from all over the world. He looks forward to teaching you and introducing you to the flavors of the region.

Enjoy a private and authentic cooking class, local market tour and home cooked meal with your host Anna. This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone looking to connect with local culture over food. The market tour involves Anna showing you the best vendors and talking to you about the local culture. Anna and her family live in a 140-year old Kauri villa that they are slowly renovating. The kitchen is the hub of their home and they have opened it up to make the most of its beautiful original character. Anna enjoys meeting new people and is looking forward to having fun sharing wholesome delicious food together with travelers to the area. After your cooking class you will join the family at the dining table or vine covered deck in the summer time, to enjoy the very meal you have cooked. You may have cooked a vegetarian or vegan barbecue or a meal influenced by middle-eastern, Italian, Asian or Mexican flavors. Dessert will include pudding, cake, tart or homemade ice cream.

Aaron's Kosher tour Is an Anthony Bourdain inspired tour for you to see the best ingredients cultivated locally. On tour you will experience Colonial and Māori heritage from the great Polynesian migration in the 10th century to the land wars in 1862 and the integration/fusion of early European culture into the Wairarapa region. *Cheese *Chocolate *Olive oil *Wine *Honey *Cuisine Hand-picked fine dining and brasserie style restaurants with set menus that will inspire the foodie in you. Tour 7 hours