Discover Songbird Retreat, a private, boutique wedding venue in Matakana, North Auckland — an enchanting estate for garden ceremonies and marquee receptions surrounded by native trees, and the sound of birdsong.
At Songbird Retreat, your wedding isn’t just another event — it’s the only one. We host only a handful of weddings each year, giving couples exclusive access to our private North Auckland wedding estate for up to three full days so they can enjoy setup, rehearsal, and morning-after moments with no rush or compromise. From vows by the lily pond to cocktails on the lawn and dancing under the clear-roof marquee, your day will feel authentic, intimate and uniquely yours.
Couples don’t just have a wedding—they feel seen, celebrated, and welcomed into the Songbird family. Memories linger long after the last toast, and your story becomes part of our estate’s legacy.
Unlike many Auckland wedding venues, Songbird Retreat hosts only a handful of weddings each year, ensuring complete privacy and exclusivity.—enquire early to secure your dates.
Our large clear-roof marquee provides indoor comfort while allowing your guests to enjoy Songbird Retreat’s gardens. For a customised look, our recommended marquee vendors can help you select styles, liners, or table arrangements to suit your wedding vision.
Capture magical moments beneath the willow tree and throughout Songbird Retreat’s gardens. Our recommended photographers know every corner of the estate, ensuring you’ll have stunning images of your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception.
Helen and Dean, we are excited to share with you these beautiful gardens. When the opportunity arose to continue the legacy of their creators, we couldn’t have been more thrilled. With a lifetime steeped in family with our five children —now young adults—and gatherings of friends and family, Songbird Retreat resonated deeply with our own values. It felt like home. We look forward to supporting through the maze of vendors and planning process so that you can create your wedding celebration your way.
Set in a private and enchanting garden estate in Matheson Bay of 4.5 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens.
Songbird Cottage is also available for private stays, providing a serene escape just 1 hour from Auckland.
We now provide a clear roof 10×21 marquee, 100 chairs, tables for 100, a ceremony arch, plinths, a signing table and chair, toilets, and a PA system as well as an on-site wedding coordinator and service team. Additional cocktail furniture, luxury accommodation, wedding planning, dance floor and lawn games are avaailable for an additional cost.
Songbird Cottage is private, boutique luxury accommodation in Matakana, North Auckland, available for bridal preparations, intimate events, or standalone hire. With charming décor, peaceful garden views, and all the comforts of home, it provides a serene setting for starting your wedding day, your wedding night, or enjoying a relaxing escape, just 1 hour from Auckland city.
Each wedding is unique and there are numerous wedding suppliers offering varying levels of service. However, for a marquee wedding with 150 guests we would expect a minimum spend of $28k for the basics and up to $80/100k for more extravagance. We provide vendor and some budget guidance for couples marrying at Songbird Retreat.
Yes, we ask for a non-refundable 50% deposit at the time of booking.
Yes, we have parking, along with a large turning circle for coaches and other larger vehicles.
For those less able to walk up the steps to the top Ceremony Terrace we have a grass covered track to transport them there and back down again.
Yes, we love dogs! However, too many dogs can upset our beautiful birdlife and therefore only the dog of the bride and groom is allowed and must be kept on a lead around the wedding venue. Any droppings must be picked up and disposed of in the rubbish bins.
Delight your guests with a grazing table, farmhouse feast, tasting table, or luxury charcuterie. Our trusted Auckland wedding caterers and food trucks can guide you in creating a menu that matches your style and celebration.
Yes, we love children and the lawns are great for running and playing on. However, we do have large ponds on site without any barriers so please inform your guests of this prior to attending.
Yes. This is included in the venue hire price.
With seating for up to 150 guests—100 chairs included in the Songbird package—your closest family and friends can enjoy every moment of your special day.
An hour north of Auckland and easily accessible in a prime position along the Matakana Coast sits Songbird Retreat. This is exclusivity at its best, just 10 minutes from the hub of Matakana Village, 2mins from Matheson Bay beach and yet completely private from the outside world.
Gardens to visit is a collection of New Zealand's most beautiful gardens that open to the public.
