About The Orchard Business and Event Hub
The Orchard Business & Event Hub in central Whangārei is a purpose-built coworking space and event venue for startups, small businesses and professionals (www.ticketfairy.com ). It opened in 2016 with support from Northland Inc’s business development team (www.ticketfairy.com ) (www.coworker.com ), making it the region’s first dedicated entrepreneurial hub. Housed at 85 Cameron Street (corner of Walton) (www.ticketfairy.com ), the venue offers hot-desks and offices alongside five bookable meeting rooms of various sizes (www.ticketfairy.com ). Inside, the atmosphere is bright and modern: the décor features lots of natural light, glass-partitioned rooms and Māori-inspired artwork. In fact, each meeting room has a Te Reo name (for example, “Mahi Tahi” meaning “work together”) (www.ticketfairy.com ), and local proverbs decorate the walls. Amenities are high-end – from ultra-fast Wi-Fi and SmartScreens for presentations to unlimited complimentary tea and coffee (www.ticketfairy.com ) – reflecting its “Seed – Nurture – Grow” mission to help Northland entrepreneurs flourish. The Orchard even doubles as a home to the Northland business agencies: the Northland Inc and Chamber of Commerce teams share the building, creating a collaborative ecosystem under one roof (www.coworker.com ) (www.northlandnz.com ). These special partnerships and its dedicated focus on entrepreneurship give The Orchard a lively, community-driven character unlike a typical conference centre.
Events and Programming
The Orchard hosts a wide range of events tailored to local entrepreneurs, startups and professionals (www.ticketfairy.com ). Expect workshops, seminars, networking meetups, community forums and special themed gatherings. For example, in 2021 it ran a monthly “Feminine Business Connection” networking evening – a multi-hour panel and breakout session for women in business (www.ticketfairy.com ). Events are typically led by local experts (business coaches, innovative leaders or industry speakers) and draw audiences of company owners, students and organization staff. The Orchard’s calendar is lively: some events recur weekly or monthly, while others are one-off conferences or training sessions. Because it serves a professional crowd, you won’t see rock concerts or raves here – most events are slideshow presentations, panel discussions, product or book launches, and mid-afternoon networking with snacks. Ticket prices reflect this community focus: many casual meetups are free or donation-based, while paid workshops charge a modest fee. For example, an entrepreneur networking event listed early-bird tickets at NZ$30 and general admission at $40 (www.ticketfairy.com ). In short, The Orchard’s events aim to educate, connect and inspire Northland’s business community on a regular schedule (www.ticketfairy.com ).
Tickets and Booking
Tickets for events at The Orchard are generally sold in advance online (www.ticketfairy.com ). The Orchard itself has no permanent box office, so tickets are usually purchased via platforms like Eventfinda or Eventbrite (links are shared on The Orchard’s website and social media) (www.ticketfairy.com ). Some organizers may offer a limited number of “cash at door” sales if seats remain, but it’s safest to book in advance. Popular workshops often have early-bird pricing and sell out weeks before the event date. Check a few weeks ahead on the venue’s calendar or Facebook page for new announcements. Paid events typically use standard tiers (early-bird, general, concession) (www.ticketfairy.com ). The Orchard itself doesn’t add hefty service fees, but always read the event’s terms. If you want to host an event here, you can reserve rooms (including the large halls) through The Orchard’s online booking system or by contacting the front desk (www.ticketfairy.com ). In any case, plan to arrive a bit early, as sessions start promptly – latecomers may find doors closed once the event begins (www.ticketfairy.com ).
Seating and Layout
The Orchard’s interior is flexible and open. It has five meeting rooms plus shared workspace on one level (www.ticketfairy.com ). The four smaller rooms – Kākano, Hono, Tupu and Poipoi – are ideal for team meetings or classes: Kākano seats up to 4 people, Hono about 5, Tupu around 8–10 and Poipoi about 12 in a boardroom layout (www.ticketfairy.com ). (Tupu and Poipoi have a sliding partition, so they can be combined into one medium-sized space for breakout sessions.) For larger gatherings there are two main halls: Puawai and Mahi Tahi. Puawai (roughly 7×9 m) can seat about 40 people theatre-style or 25 boardroom-style (www.ticketfairy.com ). Mahi Tahi is the largest (about 7.8×11 m) and normally has ~80 chairs in rows (www.ticketfairy.com ). It even has ceiling-mounted projectors and a SmartScreen – essentially a plug-and-play setup for presentations (www.ticketfairy.com ). Because there’s no fixed stage, sightlines depend on how the chairs are arranged. In any layout, front-center seats (near the screen or podium) have the clearest view and sound (www.ticketfairy.com ). Seats at the back or extreme sides can feel a bit distant. There are no special “VIP” sections per se; organizers can block off front seats if needed, but seating is generally first-come. In summary, arrive early and aim for the middle or front rows facing the presenter – that way you won’t be peeking around columns or craning from behind.
Getting There and Parking
The Orchard is at Level 1 of the building at 85 Cameron Street (corner of Walton), Whangārei 0110 (www.ticketfairy.com ). Its main entrance is off the Walton Street public car park. There is no on-site visitor parking. The closest carpark is the multi-storey Vine Street lot (~300 m east), which has about 96 spaces (www.ticketfairy.com ). This lot is pay-and-display: roughly NZ$2 per hour (Monday–Friday 8am–6pm, 3h max; Saturday 8am–2pm) (www.ticketfairy.com ). After 6pm and on Sunday the Vine St lot and on-street parking are free (meters are off). Some metered spaces are on Clyde and Bank Streets (also with a 3h limit). The Vine St carpark has a few marked accessible spots (www.ticketfairy.com ). If you’re being dropped off, a convenient place is on Walton or Cameron Street just outside the entrance (www.ticketfairy.com ) (www.ticketfairy.com ). Public transit access: Whangārei’s CityLink buses don’t stop directly on Walton, but the nearest stops are a short walk away on Bank Street or Rust Avenue (roughly a 5–10 minute walk) (www.ticketfairy.com ). Taxis and rideshare services (Uber, Hauraki, etc.) operate citywide; the Walton/Cameron corner is a common drop-off point. (Kiwi Cabs and A1/BlueBubble even offer wheelchair-accessible vehicles on request (www.ticketfairy.com ).) The Orchard is in the flat CBD, so it’s easily accessible on foot or by bike. There are cycle racks and a handful of bike hoops outside the building (www.ticketfairy.com ).
Inside the Venue
Walking into The Orchard, you’ll find a bright, modern interior with an open reception area and coworking space. Friendly staff at the front desk will check you in by name or by scanning your e-ticket (www.ticketfairy.com ). Between events you may see people quietly working on laptops at communal tables or couches. Walls often display startup taglines or sponsor logos, and some Māori artwork by local artists. The large windows and the climate control keep the rooms comfortable year-round (www.ticketfairy.com ). All attendees can help themselves to free, unlimited coffee and tea (www.ticketfairy.com ) – one of the signature perks here. Strong Wi-Fi covers every room, and each meeting space has plenty of power outlets for charging devices (www.ticketfairy.com ). There is a shared printer/copier in the common area for attendees’ use (www.ticketfairy.com ). In each event room you’ll find interactive SmartScreens or projectors setup, so presentation tech is built-in (www.ticketfairy.com ) (www.ticketfairy.com ). The Orchard does not have a formal coat-check; backpacks and jackets are usually draped on spare chairs or held by staff for the duration (www.ticketfairy.com ). (If you need special equipment like a flipchart or extra seating, staff are happy to set it up in advance (www.ticketfairy.com ).) Dress code is casual-professional – think tidy jeans or slacks with a nice shirt (www.ticketfairy.com ). When a session is about to begin, please silence your phone and minimize conversation so everyone can focus (www.ticketfairy.com ).
Nearby Amenities
The Orchard is in downtown Whangārei, so cafés, shops and hotels are just a short walk away. If you arrive early for an event, a good spot to grab breakfast or coffee is Walton Street Café (at 67 Walton St) (www.ticketfairy.com ). It’s popular with locals and stays open from morning. Along Walton and Vine Streets nearby you’ll find convenience shops, bakeries and takeaways for light snacks or groceries. For lunch or dinner, the Town Basin waterfront is 5–10 minutes on foot. Here you’ll discover riverside eateries and bars: for example, Riverside Café on the marina serves all-day food, and Mokaba is a trendy all-day cafe-bar (www.ticketfairy.com ). In the evening the nearby Vine Hotel or Tuatara Brewing taproom are relaxed spots for craft beer. The famous Hundertwasser Arts Centre (under its colorful roof) also has a café/gallery on the ground floor. If you need to stay overnight, some nearby hotels include Distinction Hotel Whangārei and Quality Inn & Suites (both just a few blocks from Walton St) (www.ticketfairy.com ). A bit further at the Basin, the Discovery Settlers Hotel offers waterfront views. For practical needs: there’s an ATM on Vine Street and a petrol station on Bank Street (www.ticketfairy.com ). Whangārei’s bus depot is near Rust Ave, but note that CityLink buses stop running after around 6:30pm (www.ticketfairy.com ). After that, you’ll rely on taxis or ride-shares for travel from the CBD.
What Makes This Venue Special
The Orchard stands out as a homegrown innovation hub for Northland. It’s reportedly Whangārei’s only fully dedicated coworking-and-event space of this scale (www.ticketfairy.com ). Under its roof is a mini-ecosystem: entrepreneurs sit side-by-side with business mentors and government advisors. Many local business networks and agencies share this building, so attendees often bump into Northland Inc or Chamber of Commerce staff over coffee (www.ticketfairy.com ). The interior design reinforces a creative, collaborative vibe – for example, walls are painted with colorful murals and inspirational sayings, and sliding partitions allow smaller rooms to merge into a larger hall (www.ticketfairy.com ). The Māori cultural influence (in room names and wall art) gives it a unique identity tied to the region (www.ticketfairy.com ). The Orchard has hosted several milestone events: for instance, winners of Northland’s “The Pick” startup competition have launched their ideas here, and local startup demo days have been held in its halls (www.ticketfairy.com ) (www.ticketfairy.com ). In everyday use, it’s not unusual to see one entrepreneur working at a couch table while a seminar is happening down the hall. Many people say they love The Orchard because it feels more lively and informal than a hotel conference room, yet much more professional and purpose-built than a coffee shop. In short, its blend of coworking energy and meeting-room capability – summed up by The Orchard’s motto “Let’s get stuff done” – is what makes this venue a local favorite.
Visitor Tips and Information
Accessibility: The Orchard is fully accessible. The building has an elevator to Level 1 and at least one wheelchair-accessible restroom per floor (www.ticketfairy.com ). All rooms and hallways have enough clearance for mobility devices. If you need anything special, like a hearing loop or large-print materials, mention it before the event. What to bring: If it’s a workshop or networking event, bring a notebook or laptop (Wi-Fi is provided) and a pen. Business cards are highly recommended – attendees often exchange contacts informally (www.ticketfairy.com ). For longer sessions, a water bottle or light snack is wise (although tea and coffee are free on site (www.ticketfairy.com )). Dress comfortably in layers, since the air-conditioning can be cool in the halls (www.ticketfairy.com ). Plan to arrive early: doors typically open 10–15 minutes before start time and events start promptly (www.ticketfairy.com ). Missing registration can be problematic, so don’t be late. Also RSVP or book your ticket in advance – many events cap the audience and will close ticket sales once full (www.ticketfairy.com ). When driving, remember there is no free parking at the venue – use official lots or street parking (the staff driveway must remain clear) (www.ticketfairy.com ). And finally, out of courtesy, silence your phone when the event begins (www.ticketfairy.com ). By following these tips, you’ll get the most out of your visit to The Orchard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I buy tickets for events at The Orchard?
Each event is ticketed by its organizer. There is no on-site box office at The Orchard (www.ticketfairy.com ). Tickets are usually sold online (Eventfinda, Eventbrite, etc.) well before the date (www.ticketfairy.com ). Follow The Orchard’s website or social media for links. Some events do offer a small number of tickets for sale at the door if seats remain (www.ticketfairy.com ).
What are the ticket price ranges?
Ticket prices vary by event type. Many community or networking events are free or donation-based. Paid workshops and seminars typically charge modest fees. As an example, one recent networking event had early-bird tickets around NZ$30 and general admission near $40 (www.ticketfairy.com ). It’s best to check the specific event listing for exact pricing.
Can I buy a ticket at the door?
Some events allow limited door sales, but this is not guaranteed. Organizers usually encourage advance purchase online (www.ticketfairy.com ). If you hope for a door ticket, arrive well before start time to see if any spots are available, and be prepared to pay cash on entry.
What is the address of The Orchard?
The Orchard is located at Level 1, 85 Cameron Street (corner of Walton) in central Whangārei (www.ticketfairy.com ). The entrance faces the Walton Street car park. If you use GPS, simply enter “85 Cameron St, Whangārei.”
Are there parking options nearby?
There is no free parking on-site. The closest lot is the Vine Street car park (~300m away) (www.ticketfairy.com ). It charges about NZ$2 per hour (Mon–Fri 8am–6pm, Sat 8am–2pm) with 3h limits, and is free after hours and on Sunday (www.ticketfairy.com ). Street parking (Clyde/Bank) is metered during the day. Drop-offs can use the corner of Walton/Cameron. The Vine St car park has a few accessible spaces too (www.ticketfairy.com ).
Can I use public transport to get there?
Yes. Whangārei’s CityLink buses run through the CBD, but none stops directly on Walton. The nearest stops are on Bank Street or Rust Avenue (about a 5–10 minute walk from The Orchard) (www.ticketfairy.com ). Taxis and rideshares (Uber, etc.) are also readily available; the corner of Walton and Cameron is a common drop-off point. Wheelchair-accessible taxis can be requested as well (www.ticketfairy.com ).
What seating is used at events?
Most events are general-admission with all-seat arrangements. The smaller rooms hold 4–12 people each, while the halls seat more (Puawai about 40, Mahi Tahi about 80) (www.ticketfairy.com ) (www.ticketfairy.com ). Seating is typically theatre-style (rows facing the front). There is no fixed stage or reserved section – arrive early to pick a front or center seat for the best view (www.ticketfairy.com ).
Is The Orchard wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The building is modern and handicap-accessible (www.ticketfairy.com ). There is elevator access to Level 1, and at least one accessible restroom on site. All meeting rooms and hallways have ample space for wheelchairs. If you need special arrangements (e.g. ramps, hearing loops), it’s best to notify the event organizer in advance (www.ticketfairy.com ).
Are food and drinks available at The Orchard?
Light refreshments are available. The Orchard provides free tea and coffee to all attendees (www.ticketfairy.com ). There is a kitchenette where staff or organizers can set up snacks for events. For meals or drinks beyond this, you can use nearby cafés and restaurants (for example, Walton Street Café is around the corner (www.ticketfairy.com )).
Does The Orchard have Wi-Fi?
Yes. There is high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the venue (www.ticketfairy.com ). Connection details (network name and password) are typically shown on room screens or provided by staff. Every meeting room also has power outlets, so you can charge laptops and phones easily (www.ticketfairy.com ).
What should I bring to an event?
Bring any personal tech (laptop, tablet, charger) and a notebook or pen if you’ll take notes. Networking events usually involve exchanging contacts, so have business cards or a way to share your details (www.ticketfairy.com ). A jacket or layers are wise, since meeting rooms can be cool with air-conditioning (www.ticketfairy.com ). You might also bring a water bottle or light snack for longer workshops (although coffee and water are provided).
What is the dress code?
There’s no formal uniform. Most attendees wear smart-casual or business-casual attire (www.ticketfairy.com ). Jeans with a neat shirt, or slacks and polo, are typical. Dress comfortably but presentably – remember that these events are professional meetings.
Can children attend events at The Orchard?
The Orchard doesn’t have an age restriction itself, but most events target adults. Many are labeled “All Ages” or 18+ (www.ticketfairy.com ). If you plan to bring a child, check the specific event listing first. Events involving technical training or trade skills typically assume adult participants.
When should I arrive?
It’s best to arrive about 10–15 minutes before the start time. Event check-in usually opens a bit early, and sessions start promptly (www.ticketfairy.com ). If you arrive late, you may have trouble entering, so allow a few extra minutes for parking or walking from the bus stop.
Is there a coat check?
No – The Orchard does not provide a formal cloakroom. Most people simply drape jackets or bags on empty chairs or ask an usher/staff to hold them during the event (www.ticketfairy.com ). Just keep valuables with you.
