The Magic of a Kiwi Christmas Dinner

Christmas in New Zealand is all about sunshine, backyard cricket, and a table laden with festive treats. Whether you’re planning a casual BBQ, a lavish roast dinner, or a seafood extravaganza, these recipes will bring festive cheer to your holiday table.

As we dive into these delicious ideas, it’s also the perfect time to pause and reflect on what makes these celebrations truly special: the people.

Merry Kirihimete!

Gratitude to Our Bravo Whānau

From one-off clients to our long-standing partners, and from the chefs crafting magic in the kitchen to the front-of-house staff delivering impeccable service, 2024 has been a year to remember thanks to you. Your commitment and energy have been at the heart of Bravo’s success, and for that, we’re endlessly grateful.

We’ve been proud to support your events with skilled professionals, ensuring unforgettable experiences every time. Let’s celebrate that spirit of collaboration with recipes that bring everyone together around the table.

1. Glazed Ham with a Kiwi Twist

A succulent Christmas ham is a must-have, but why not give it a uniquely Kiwi flavour? Create a glaze using mānuka honey, Dijon mustard, and orange zest. Slow-bake until the ham is tender and glossy, and serve with fresh pineapple rings for a tropical flair.

2. Seafood Platter Fit for Summer

Christmas calls for the ocean's bounty! Fill your platter with fresh oysters, prawns, green-lipped mussels, and smoked salmon. Pair it with a citrus aioli and a crisp Sauvignon Blanc to keep things fresh and light.

3. Pavlova with Summer Berries

No Kiwi Christmas is complete without pavlova. Top your fluffy meringue base with whipped cream, strawberries, blueberries, and passionfruit. For a modern touch, add a drizzle of elderflower syrup.

4. Kumara Salad with Pomegranate and Feta

Give your sides a pop of colour with this vibrant salad. Roast kumara (sweet potatoes) until caramelized, then toss with rocket, feta, pomegranate seeds, and a honey-balsamic dressing.

5. BBQ Lamb Chops with Mint Salsa Verde

Fire up the bbq for some tender lamb chops. Marinate with garlic, rosemary, and olive oil, then grill to perfection. Serve with a zesty mint salsa verde to wow your guests.

Hosting Hassles? Bravo Has You Covered

Planning a festive feast or a summer soirée but short on hands? That’s where Bravo steps in! Whether you need chefs to craft gourmet meals, waiters and bartenders to keep guests happy, or duty managers to oversee operations, we’ve got the talent to make your event shine.

Don’t let the stress cloud your Christmas cheer. Contact us today, and let Bravo help you create an event to remember.

Meri Kirihimete from all of us at Bravo! 🌟

The Ultimate Guide to Organising Corporate and Social Christmas Parties in Aotearoa

Christmas is more than tinsel and pavlova in New Zealand—it’s a time to connect, celebrate, and reflect on the year. Whether you’re planning a corporate Christmas party for your team or a social gathering with whānau and mates, a well-organised event is key to creating lasting memories.

Here’s a guide packed with practical tips to help you plan your Corporate and Social Christmas celebration that’s both seamless and unforgettable.

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Corporate Christmas Party Planning: Professionalism with a Festive Twist

Bravo Hospitality - Staffing & Recruitment Agency - New Zealand

1. Set Clear Goals: What’s the Game Plan? 🎯

Corporate events aren’t just about cracking a few beers and popping bottles of champagne. They’re also an opportunity to celebrate wins, foster team spirit, and impress clients.

• Questions to Ask:

  • Is this about rewarding employees, strengthening client relationships, or both?

  • What tone fits your company culture—formal, casual, or somewhere in between?

    
    

2. Budget Smart: Don’t Blow the Budget 💰

While you want the event to be memorable, it’s crucial to keep spending in check.  Work out where to splash out (like catering and entertainment) and where to save.

• Top Budget Tips:

  • Decide what type of food service fits the occasion and budget best. It can be an elegant sit-down meal or shared platters, grazing tables for more relaxed gatherings 

  • Partner with catering companies that specialise in corporate hospitality for streamlined planning

    
    

3. Choose the Right Venue 🏢 

Your venue should reflect your goals and the vibe you’re going for. From corporate kitchens to wineries or waterfront venues, New Zealand offers plenty of great options.

• Venue ideas:

  • Beachside venues for a relaxed Kiwi summer Christmas

  • Wineries for a touch of sophistication

  • City spots with a view for urban professionals

Checklist: Accessibility, parking, and AV equipment for speeches or presentations.

4. Entertainment That Wows 🎶

Entertainment is the glue that holds an event together. Choose something that fits your audience and goals.

• Formal Ideas: Live jazz, kapa haka performances, or a professional MC

• Casual Ideas: Quiz nights, karaoke, or interactive games for team bonding

Social Christmas Party Planning: Good Times with Whānau and Friends

5. Lock in the Guest List Early 📩

Over the summer the calendar can look busy with family, friends and work get-togethers, so get your invites out early to avoid calendar clashes.

• Pro Tips:

  • Use themed invitations - digital ones are quick and easy

  • Include RSVP deadlines to streamline catering and seating plans

    
    

6. Choose a Fun Theme 🎁

A well-thought-out theme adds personality to your party. Keep it simple but festive.

• Theme Ideas:

  • Kiwi Backyard BBQ: With sausages, salads, and jandals

  • Summer Christmas Wonderland” with fairy lights and festive cocktails

  • Retro Kiwi Christmas: Classic tunes, pavlova, and tacky tinsel

  
  

7. Curate a Festive Menu 🍽️

Food and drinks are at the heart of any Christmas gathering. Whether it’s a corporate event or a family get-together, a thoughtful menu ensures everyone leaves happy.

• Kiwi Christmas Menu:

  • Starters: Fresh seafood platters, cheese boards, Xmas mince pies

  • Mains: Roast lamb, glazed ham, or summer BBQ options

  • Desserts: Pavlova, trifles, and fresh fruit

  • Drinks: Mulled wine, craft beers, and fruity cocktails/mocktails

  
  

Tips for Both Corporate and Social Christmas Parties

8. Professional Staffing for a Smooth Run 🤝

Whether it’s a formal corporate event or a casual backyard gathering, having experienced staff can make all the difference.

• Why Go Pro?

  • Bartenders for seamless drink service

  • Chefs to prepare gourmet dishes or BBQ classics

  • FOH (Front of House) staff to keep everything running smoothly

  • Cleaners to manage the post-party tidy-up

    
    

9. Plan a Detailed Schedule 🕒

A clear timeline ensures everything runs smoothly and keeps your guests engaged.

• Sample Schedule:

  • 4:00 PM: AV setting up and testing equipment

  • 5:30 PM: Guests arrive, welcome drinks served

  • 6:00 PM: Opening remarks or acknowledgements

  • 6:30 PM: Dinner served

  • 8:00 PM: Entertainment or games kick-off

  • 10:00 PM: Closing speeches and thank-yous

    
    

10. Capture the Memories 📸 

Every good party deserves to be remembered. Hire or assign a couple of photographers from your team or set up a DIY photo booth with props for some laughs.

Why Partner with Kiwi Event Experts?

Planning a Christmas party can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Aotearoa has plenty of quality event staff, caterers, and hospitality professionals who can help your event be top-notch and stress-free.

• What Bravo Brings to the Table:

  • Skilled FOH staff for seamless food and drinks service

  • Expert Chefs to help with the menu, preparation and service for more elegant occasions or firing up the BBQ for those more relaxed occasions

  • Cleaners to handle the post-event mess

Partnering with event experts lets you enjoy the party without sweating the details.

Final Thoughts: Celebrate in True Kiwi Style

Christmas is about connection, reflection, and celebration. With these tips, your corporate or social Christmas party will be a stress-free hit, leaving your guests with cherished memories.

Ready to plan your best party yet? Get in touch with Bravo Hospitality for professional event staffing and support. Let’s make this Christmas one to remember! 🎅🎄

How to find a hospitality job in New Zealand?

If you are planning to travel to New Zealand to enjoy the scenery, and the Kiwi lifestyle, and also want to find a hospitality job working as a Chef, Waiter, Bartender or similar role, this post is for you!

5 tips to find a hospitality job and land on your feet in New Zealand

1. If you want to work in New Zealand, you need to have the right visa. You can have a look at the work visa options for you here (Work Visas NZ) and apply.

   1. Once you have a work visa, it's time to build your CV (Curriculum Vitae) with your professional experience and outstanding skills. Try to keep the CV short with 1 to 3 pages max, to make the CV easy to read by recruitment agencies. Here's a good CV builder for you: https://www.careers.govt.nz/tools/cv-builder *

2. Where to find hospitality jobs? The most popular sites to find hospitality jobs in New Zealand are Seek.co.nz and Facebook Groups. Another great option is wandering around the city with your CV and giving this to the manager of bars, restaurants, hotels, etc...

3. The three principal cities in New Zealand for hospitality are Wellington, Queenstown, and Auckland, so these would be your target when looking for a job.

   1. Wellington is the capital of New Zealand, with lots of cultural and outdoor activities to do and learn about the native culture in the Museum of NZ Te Papa, and the film history connected to this land with the Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia to name a few.

   2. Queenstown is the city where you can do skydiving, ski, play golf, enjoy the skyline and many other activities enjoying the snow-capped mountains and Lake Wakatipu. This city is pumping with hospitality work during winter.

   3. Auckland is an excellent starting point for the Kiwi's adventure, with Auckland being the largest city in New Zealand, it makes the city a mecca for hospitality services and large events all year round. With this large population, there is a high demand for Chefs, Waiters, Bartenders and Event staff; for cafes, restaurants, concerts, sports games and private functions among others.

4. Finding the right accommodation can be hard, but with these options, it will be easier. The most popular sites to find reliable good places are Facebook Groups: Flatmate Wanted (to mention one of them) and TradeMe where you are going to be able to see photos, videos and descriptions of the places and flatmates’ profiles.

   1. *Flatmate: People who share an apartment or flat.

5. Every city has lots of social activities to offer and the information is on your hands in this digital era. These are a few useful websites to know what is happening around the cities: Heart of Auckland, Pure New Zealand and Secret Auckland.

Also, you can search for your hobbies like photography, road trips, and dancing on Facebook and there will be Facebook groups you can join and meet new people.

At Bravo Hospitality, we have a Social Media post with Recommendations for the Weekend with restaurants, bars, events you can attend and interesting places to visit.

With these 5 basic steps, you are going to be ready to apply and get your hospitality job in no time and enjoy the complete experience of living in New Zealand.