The 42 Most Romantic and Fun Date Ideas in New Zealand

Looking for the perfect date night ideas? You have come to the right place! Whether it’s your first date, a special occasion or simply in search of new ways to express your love – we’ve got you covered with all the best creative, romantic, unique and fun date ideas that will not only wow your date, but have you scoring bonus points too!

Fun Date Ideas

Trivia Night

Trivia night is a great way to test your knowledge, bring out your competitive side and get to know each other’s hobbies and interests a little more. Pick each other’s brains over a glass of wine and enjoy this game night.

Burlesque or Drag Show

Rowdy and Rambunctious, both drag and burlesque shows make for a great date night. Put on your party pants and slap on that glitter and take your date out for a night they won’t forget!

Sip and Paint Session

Discover your inner Picasso and wow your date with 2 tickets to Pinot & Picasso this date night. Crack open the bottle of wine and crack onto your hot date while letting your creativity run wild….but not too wild, leave that for when you get back home!

Cooking Class

Enjoy each other’s company and take a cooking class together! Show your date that you are an eager learner and put your skills to the taste test. It beats visiting a fast food restaurant and plus, it could come in handy for a future date together.

Play Laser Tag

Release your inner child and spend date night at laser tag! Explore your competitive side and be sure not to show any signs or being a sore loser….otherwise there may not be a second date on the cards.

Outdoor Concert

If you’re into the same music and love a little boogie, an outdoor concert is the date night for you! Don’t forget to pack your picnic blanket for the opportunity to get up close and personal…and I’m not talking about with the band!

Escape Room

An escape room presents a challenge and encourages teamwork and brain power. Enter into the unknown with your mystery date in hope they can be your knight in shining armour and get you the heck out of there!

Comedy Show

Visit a comedy show! Even terrible standups can be hilarious and who better to share the experience with than your hot date. After all, they do say that laughing gets endorphins flowing. Standup comedy can also be one of the cheaper forms of entertainment, if you’re on a budget.

Mini Golf

Play Mini Golf, there’s no age limit to fun and the slow paced, friendly competition creates the perfect environment for casual chit chat and lighthearted banter.

Go to a Theme Park

Go to a theme park together and release your inner child! It seems cliché, but it is such a fun date idea. Share a lollipop or cotton candy and let them try to win you a prize. It’s a great idea for those wanting to get to know one another in a fun, non-serious way!

Cute Date Ideas

Go for a Walk Through the Park After Dinner

Get some fresh air and take a stroll through the area after dinner. It is a good way to really connect with your date and chat outside of the restaurant noises.

Get a High Tea

Is there anything better than a warm scone covered in jam and cream or a crustless white bread cucumber sandwich? Combine that with your favourite cup of tea or a glass of champagne, and you’ve found yourself the perfect date idea.

Go for a Long Drive on a Day Trip

Explore your town, city or somewhere completely new! Pack your favourite snacks and be sure not to put your feet up on the dash. Bonus points if you create a playlist for the occasion — wow your date with your impeccable music taste.

Creative Date Ideas

Scavenger Hunt

Arrange a scavenger hunt. It can be a great opportunity to show off what a romantic you are by incorporating all of your special spots, old photos of you together and a price you know they’ll love!

Horseback Riding

Go horseback riding! There’s a reason why all love movies include a horse riding date – it’s romantic. New Zealand is perfect for this as it has a variety of options available to go horseback riding.

Dance Class

Take a dance class and show off your moves! Even if you have two left feet, this date idea is perfect to get up close and personal, learn a new skill together and most importantly have fun.

Romantic Date Ideas

Couple’s Massage

Nothing screams hot date more than being covered in oil and rubbed up and down. Book you and your partner in for a couples massage as a way to destress from your day to day lives, relax and leave feeling refreshed.

Go to a Fancy Restaurant

Try a new fancy restaurant, someplace neither of you has ever been before. These experiences will be more memorable for your partner, and you may discover new places and dishes that you would like to try in the future.

Plan a Full Itinerary for the Date and Make It a Surprise

Looking for creative date ideas for your next day (or night) out? Why not plan a full itinerary for the date and surprise your partner with a jam packed time full of exciting activities you can do together.

Make Sure to Bring Flowers

Flowers are a must if you are looking to score bonus points on date night. It is a thoughtful gesture that your date will appreciate very much.

Picnic in the Park

Looking for romantic and cute date ideas? Plan a picnic in the park with all your favourite people, foods and bottles of bubbles. It can be a good option for those on a budget looking to still enjoy each other’s company.

Plan a Surprise

This can be as simple as an at home date night, dinner plans at their favourite restaurant, bed and breakfast at a nearby town or as extravagant as a big holiday or a flight overseas!

Free Date Night Ideas

Art Gallery or Museum

I know what you’re probably thinking…an art gallery or art museum makes for lame date ideas. Think again! They are interesting, affordable, romantically lit (especially at night) and present many conversation prompts if you’re in need of a little assistance. Plus, everyone falls in love in an art gallery…well at least they do in the movies.

Local Library

Learning is sexy! Local colleges, libraries or community centers often host evening classes – so take hold of your date and dive into the world of knowledge together. Not your typical date nights, however pride yourself on uniqueness with this one.

Board Games

You can never go wrong with a game night. Unless, of course your date is highly competitive and takes the rules of uno way too seriously. Whether you play cards or not – turn ‘board’ games into ‘fun’ games with a glass or 2 of pinot and a little bit of friendly competition.

Local Park or Botanical Garden

Take a tour of the botanical gardens and get to know each other deeper as you stroll through the lush green grass and inhale the sweet smelling flowers. Why not pack a picnic and a bottle of bubbles and enjoy the day together.

Cheap Date Ideas

Coffee Shop

Evaluate the typical coffee shop date experience by going somewhere new and letting your partner order for you and you for them – how well do they really know you.

Farmer’s Market

Visiting your local farmer’s market may not be the most common date idea but it is a great way to spend your Saturday in the sun. Yummy food, fresh produce and hopefully a hot date to keep you company.

Cook a Delicious Meal

Go old school and ditch the ‘takeaway with a side of Netflix and chill’. Get spicy in the kitchen with your hot date and show off your cooking skills with an intimate home cooked meal.

Dinner and a Movie

Dinner and a movie date night is a classic. Be sure to discuss any dietary requirements and food preferences beforehand to avoid any uncomfortable situations of not being able to eat anything on the menu.

Local Festival

If there are festivals within your local area, take your partner to experience the stalls, rides and eat cotton candy together.

Local Bar

Visiting your local bar is always a good date idea, especially those on a first date. with being a public place it ensures safety and removes those defining silences between conversations. A drink or two can also be a great way to calm the nerves.

Do a Walking Tour to Learn About Local History

It can be a great way to learn about the local culture and history while getting to know one another deeper.

Unique Date Ideas

Rock Climbing

Visit a rock climbing gym and take on the rock climbing wall with your partner. Show them you’re always there to support them, shouting encouraging words to get them to the top.

Wine Tasting or a Wine Tour

Take an organised wine tour, or visit local wineries on your own (or with another couple.) As long as you have some way of getting around safely, wine tasting is a very fun date idea!

Casino Night

Here’s a fun date idea for you; put all on red and share the thrill with your significant other. Please gambling responsibly.

Drive in Movie

Not your typical cinema experience, this one more old school. You’ll be in your own car – giving you the opportunity to watch the movie…or not. Flip a coin to decide who picks if you’re having troubles agreeing.

Volunteer at a Local Shelter

Where it’s your first date or you’re in search of another date idea. Volunteering at your local shelter creates a sense of purpose to your relationship and a great way to show off your kind and caring side.

Indoor Date Ideas

Ice Skating

Visit the local Ice skating rink, it is a great way to break the ice (pun intended!). No olympics-level skills required.

Exercise Class

Step out from in-front of the TV and support each-other’s New Year health goals by attending an exercise class together, the adrenaline will have you feeling on top of the world!

Thrift Store

Visit at a thrift store, act silly and dress up your date in hilarious outfits that they would never usually wear. It’s a fun game with a sustainable twist…and who knows, you might just find your new style.

See a Local Band

Go see a local band! It’s always great to support locals and you never know, you might just discover a new genre of music you like. It is not the best environment for conversation, so maybe steer away from this one for a first date. However, if you are both into music it can be a really fun night out together!

Book a Sip and Paint Session With Pinot & Picasso

Book your next date night at Pinot & Picasso and remind your partner how lucky they are to have you by their side, keeping the spark alive!