Smiths Matakana

About this place

Smiths Matakana is a restaurant, bar and live-music venue at 1151 Leigh Road, in the heart of Matakana Country Park — about 50 minutes north of Auckland and minutes from Matakana Village. The building combines the bones of an old blacksmith's workshop with a relaxed, colourful fit-out, and looks out over the park's horse arena towards the rolling Matakana hills and Mt Tamahunga. It was rated 4.6 on Google at the time of writing.

The offer

The menu is designed for sharing, with globally influenced plates and handmade pizzas. The bar showcases Matakana wine country alongside tap and craft beers and house cocktails, including margaritas on tap in several flavours. Smiths states that it has been named one of the Estrella Damm Top 50 NZ Gastropubs. The venue runs a weekly rhythm of quiz and bingo nights, live music in the conservatory, live sport on three big screens in the garden bar, and happy hour Tuesday to Friday. It opens Monday to Thursday from 3pm, Friday from midday, and Saturday and Sunday from 11am.

Group and private-function capability

Smiths publishes four distinct function spaces, and the entire venue can also be hired exclusively:

• Conservatory — described as Matakana's largest outdoor deck, weatherproof and heated, with a built-in DJ booth and musicians' deck; up to 75 guests
• Garden Bar — semi-private with four high tables, sheltered and heated in winter, open in summer; up to 40 guests, or up to 70 when opened out into the rock garden
• Dining Room — a quieter, seated-only space for up to 25 guests; combined with the Garden Bar it takes 55
• Rock Garden — fully outdoors with mixed seating overlooking the horse arena; up to 40 guests

Function catering covers dietary requirements, and the venue advertises the first few hours of venue hire free on enquiry, subject to terms. Quotes are handled through an online enquiry form.

Suitability for MICE

Well suited to incentive groups, team celebrations and end-of-year functions on the Matakana Coast, particularly where an itinerary already takes in the local wineries, Matakana Farmers Market, Tāwharanui Regional Park or Goat Island. The mix of indoor and covered outdoor spaces gives useful weather flexibility for groups of 25 to 75, with full-venue hire available for larger parties, and the surrounding country park adds ready-made activity options for a group day out. It is an entertainment-led venue rather than a conference facility, so confirm AV and any quiet-space requirements at enquiry.