Event budget estimator
Get a rough idea of what your event might cost in New Zealand, from catering and venue hire to DJs and photographers, then get real quotes from local vendors. Free, and no sign-up needed.
AI-generated estimates only. They are not quotes and are not final. Read about these estimates
What kind of event?
Which one?
About your event
Your estimate
Choose the kind of event, where it is, how many guests and what you need, and a rough cost range for each service shows here.
Typical event costs in New Zealand
Rough national price ranges for a general party, by number of guests. Weddings usually cost more, and prices vary by region: choose your event above for adjusted figures. AI-generated estimates as at October 2026, in NZ dollars including GST. Not quotes.
Catering & Food Trucks
- Up to 50 guests
- $600 – $4,000
- 51–100 guests
- $2,400 – $7,500
- 101–250 guests
- $4,500 – $15,000
- More than 250 guests
- $9,000 – $30,000
Venues & Event Site Hire
- Up to 50 guests
- $300 – $2,000
- 51–100 guests
- $800 – $4,000
- 101–250 guests
- $1,500 – $8,000
- More than 250 guests
- $3,000 – $15,000
Photographers & Videographers
- Up to 50 guests
- $400 – $1,300
- 51–100 guests
- $600 – $2,000
- 101–250 guests
- $900 – $3,000
- More than 250 guests
- $1,400 – $4,500
Bands, DJs & Entertainers
- Up to 50 guests
- $400 – $1,500
- 51–100 guests
- $600 – $2,500
- 101–250 guests
- $900 – $4,000
- More than 250 guests
- $1,500 – $7,000
Stage Setup & Styling
- Up to 50 guests
- $250 – $1,500
- 51–100 guests
- $500 – $3,000
- 101–250 guests
- $1,000 – $6,000
- More than 250 guests
- $2,000 – $12,000
Sound, Lighting & AV Hire
- Up to 50 guests
- $200 – $1,000
- 51–100 guests
- $400 – $1,800
- 101–250 guests
- $800 – $4,000
- More than 250 guests
- $2,000 – $10,000
Event Planners & Staff
- Up to 50 guests
- $400 – $2,500
- 51–100 guests
- $800 – $4,500
- 101–250 guests
- $1,500 – $8,000
- More than 250 guests
- $3,000 – $15,000
Kids Party Entertainers
- Up to 50 guests
- $250 – $800
- 51–100 guests
- $400 – $1,300
- 101–250 guests
- $600 – $2,200
- More than 250 guests
- $1,000 – $3,500
Cultural Services
- Up to 50 guests
- $300 – $1,500
- 51–100 guests
- $500 – $2,500
- 101–250 guests
- $800 – $3,500
- More than 250 guests
- $1,200 – $5,000
Transport & Logistics
- Up to 50 guests
- $250 – $1,500
- 51–100 guests
- $500 – $2,500
- 101–250 guests
- $1,000 – $5,000
- More than 250 guests
- $2,000 – $9,000
Event Cleaning & Waste
- Up to 50 guests
- $150 – $500
- 51–100 guests
- $250 – $900
- 101–250 guests
- $500 – $1,800
- More than 250 guests
- $1,000 – $4,000
| Service | Up to 50 guests | 51–100 guests | 101–250 guests | More than 250 guests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catering & Food Trucks | $600 – $4,000 | $2,400 – $7,500 | $4,500 – $15,000 | $9,000 – $30,000 |
| Venues & Event Site Hire | $300 – $2,000 | $800 – $4,000 | $1,500 – $8,000 | $3,000 – $15,000 |
| Photographers & Videographers | $400 – $1,300 | $600 – $2,000 | $900 – $3,000 | $1,400 – $4,500 |
| Bands, DJs & Entertainers | $400 – $1,500 | $600 – $2,500 | $900 – $4,000 | $1,500 – $7,000 |
| Stage Setup & Styling | $250 – $1,500 | $500 – $3,000 | $1,000 – $6,000 | $2,000 – $12,000 |
| Sound, Lighting & AV Hire | $200 – $1,000 | $400 – $1,800 | $800 – $4,000 | $2,000 – $10,000 |
| Event Planners & Staff | $400 – $2,500 | $800 – $4,500 | $1,500 – $8,000 | $3,000 – $15,000 |
| Kids Party Entertainers | $250 – $800 | $400 – $1,300 | $600 – $2,200 | $1,000 – $3,500 |
| Cultural Services | $300 – $1,500 | $500 – $2,500 | $800 – $3,500 | $1,200 – $5,000 |
| Transport & Logistics | $250 – $1,500 | $500 – $2,500 | $1,000 – $5,000 | $2,000 – $9,000 |
| Event Cleaning & Waste | $150 – $500 | $250 – $900 | $500 – $1,800 | $1,000 – $4,000 |
Common questions about event costs
How much does catering cost for an event in New Zealand?
As a rough guide, catering for a party of 51–100 guests is about $2,400 – $7,500, or $600 – $4,000 for up to 50 guests. Weddings and work functions usually cost more. What is included (staff, drinks and hire gear) makes a big difference.
How much does venue hire cost in New Zealand?
As a rough guide, hiring a venue for a party of 51–100 guests is about $800 – $4,000, or $300 – $2,000 for up to 50 guests. Community and council halls are at the lower end; hotels, function centres and wedding venues at the higher end.
How much does it cost to hire a DJ or band in New Zealand?
As a rough guide, a DJ, band or entertainer for a party of 51–100 guests is about $600 – $2,500, or $400 – $1,500 for up to 50 guests. A DJ usually costs less than a live band, and late finishes or public holidays can cost extra.
How much does an event photographer cost in New Zealand?
As a rough guide, a photographer or videographer for a party of 51–100 guests is about $600 – $2,000, or $400 – $1,300 for up to 50 guests. Weddings cost more, because coverage is longer and editing takes more time.
Do event prices differ around New Zealand?
Yes. In our estimates Auckland is about 12% above the national figures and Otago about 8% above, while Gisborne, Manawatū-Whanganui and Southland are about 10% lower. In smaller places some vendors travel in and charge for it. Choose your place in the estimator above to see adjusted figures.
Are these prices quotes?
No. They are AI-generated estimates to help you plan a budget. No vendor has agreed to them, and real prices can be higher or lower depending on your date, place, guest numbers and what is included.
How do I get real prices for my event?
Post your event on Event Nest with the date, place, guest numbers and budget. Local vendors who match send you quotes, and you compare them in one place, with no obligation to book. It is always free for personal events, and free for business and community events until 31 December 2026.
About these estimates
AI-generated. The price ranges are generated by AI from general information about typical event prices in New Zealand, and compared with published NZ price lists and guides. They are not based on prices from Event Nest or from the vendors on Event Nest.
Estimates only, not quotes. They are not a quote, an offer or financial advice, they are not final, and no vendor has agreed to them. Real prices can be higher or lower, depending on your date, location, guest numbers, what's included and the vendor you choose.
They may not suit your area or event. Prices vary across New Zealand and change over time. A range may be out of date, or not right for your town, your kind of event or what you need.
Updated monthly. Figures as at October 2026, in New Zealand dollars including GST. Travel, after-hours, public holiday and other charges may be extra.
Your decision. Use them only as a rough starting point, and always get quotes from vendors before you book or commit to spending. Event Nest isn't responsible for any loss, cost or decision based on these estimates, including where they don't reflect prices in your part of New Zealand. Nothing here affects your rights under New Zealand law, such as the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and the Fair Trading Act 1986. See our terms of use.