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10 Best Things to Do on Mother’s Day in New Zealand to Make It Really Special

| Last Updated: March 2025

Mother’s Day is approaching, but you still can’t figure out how to make that day special for your mum. You’re not sure which restaurant you should bring her to or which salon you should spoil her with. Don’t worry, because most of us have that problem every year.

One thing’s for sure: you’re here because you’re searching for brilliant ideas. Good news: you’re on the right track! As I’ve said, most of us have the same problem. So, to settle things once and for all, I find the solution—or should I say, SOLUTIONS—for our problem.

Here are the best things to do on Mother’s Day in New Zealand to make it an unforgettable day for your mum.

1. Treat her to a hearty meal at Arlo Eatery

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Address: 149 Willis Street, Te Aro, Wellington

Contact Details: +64 21 121 6555

Operating Hours: 

  • Monday to Friday – 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM
  • Saturday – 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Pricing: $

Arlo Eatery is a great choice to set a good mood for the whole day. The cafe gives a chill morning vibe, allowing her to relax before bigger surprises later on.

Personally, I prefer their sandwiches more than anything else because of the well-combined sweet and salty taste. They use soft, chewy bread, fresh meat and vegetables, and flavourful sauce. Pair them with one of their coffees to give your beloved mum a good morning breakfast.

Lastly, the place is suitable for a big family. After all, seeing her children and grandkids together makes a mother happy on Mother’s Day.

Pro Tip: 
Try to visit as early as possible so you can request the crew to combine the tables and chairs for your big family. You might not be able to request it if the eatery is already crowded the moment you come.

2. Give her a relaxing massage at Seva Day Spa & Relaxation

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Website: https://sevadayspa.co.nz/ 

Address: 17B Marguerita Street, Fenton Park, Rotorua

Contact Details: +64 210 900 4214

Operating Hours: 

  • Tuesday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Pricing: $$

Every mum deserves a relaxing massage on this special day, and the best spot for that is at Seva Day Spa & Relaxation. 

Allow her (and yourself) to experience the Seva Signature Massage. This massage puts soft to medium pressure on the back of your body and the back of your legs. They will also massage your front legs, arms, and decollete using the same oil you choose.

When you think it’s already over, they will bring you to cloud nine by massaging your head, face, and neck. Does reading it feel good already? How about allowing your mum to feel good also by taking her to the spa on this special day?

Pro Tip:
Want to make your mum overjoyed on Mother’s Day? Surprise her more by gifting her skin care products from the spa. Just ask the spa’s staff what they think is the best product for her before going there so they can prepare it.

3. Have a luxurious dinner with her at Lustre Kitchen and Dining

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Website: https://lustrekitchenanddining.co.nz/ 

Address: 7 Seaview Road, Paraparaumu Beach, Paraparaumu

Contact Details: [email protected] 

Operating Hours: 

  • Wednesday to Saturday – 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Pricing: $$

A fancy dinner at one of the finest restaurants in town is an awesome thing to do on Mother’s Day in New Zealand. Touching base over appetising meals is an excellent way to steer her away from her problems for a while.

She would appreciate it if you booked a dinner appointment at a sophisticated spot. Lustre Kitchen and Dining offers tasty, delicious food your mum would really love to feast on. Both of you can talk about the good times while satisfying your bellies.

I ordered their signature dish, The Lustrous Potluck. It’s a wide range of small portions of dishes on the menu with tasters in a casual dining format. 

What I liked most was their sourdough focaccia. The toppings of rosemary and garlic really enhanced its flavour and visual appeal.

Pro Tip:
Do you want to get the best spot? Book as early as possible because they have many regulars who might book earlier than you.
It would also be great to book an earlier time of day so you and your mum can make the most of this special dinner.

4. Buy her sweets from Wellington Chocolate Factory

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Website: https://wcf.co.nz/ 

Address: 5 Eva Street, Te Aro, Wellington

Contact Details: +64 4 385 7555

Operating Hours: 

  • Tuesday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Pricing: $

Nothing beats the classics. So, when you really have no idea what to do for your mum, you’ll never go wrong with gifting her chocolates.

And when it comes to chocolates, Wellington Chocolate Factory has it all. From Sweet Tooth Bundle to The Snuggler Bundle, you have a lot of cost-effective sweets to choose from. It’s impossible not to provide for her chocolate needs when this shop is around.

You can even buy her the easy-to-use Chocolate Tasting Booklet for only NZ$10. This booklet makes taking notes effortless for her. Its flavor wheel feature will allow her to easily remember the exact flavour of the chocolate she liked before. Talk about an inexpensive lifetime gift! 

Pro Tip:
Check their website from time to time to see if they will offer Mother’s Day specials. They sometimes offer gift bundles and discounts. 

5. Give her the flowers she deserves from Best Blooms Florist

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Website: https://www.bestblooms.co.nz/ 

Address: 571A Rosebank Road, Avondale, Auckland

Contact Details: +64 9 838 9058

Operating Hours: 

  • Monday to Friday – 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM
  • Saturday- 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Pricing: $$

Another ideal thing to do on Mother’s Day in New Zealand is to give your mum an eye-pleasing bouquet. Best Blooms Florist can provide that for you.

Give her a bouquet, and you’ve got her feeling like someone is courting her again. You have plenty of choices to choose from. Some are red roses and pink and purple flowers. If you want, you can put roses and flowers into one bouquet.

I often buy one of the bouquets in their Top 20 Favourites as a gift to friends celebrating their birthday. It never fails to put a smile on their faces.

Pro Tip:
Surprise her more by pairing the flowers with chocolates from Best Blooms Florist as well. Buy a bouquet and a chocolate box containing different sweets, a teddy bear, and a balloon.

6. Give her a unique shopping experience at Country Lane Retail Village

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Website: https://www.countrylane.nz/ 

Address: 26 Hansen Road, Frankton, Queenstown

Contact Details: +64 21 484 635

Pricing: $

Give her the all-in-one experience of relaxing, shopping, and having fun at Country Lane. It’s a rare village with local businesses, gardens, and a playground for children.

Your mum can sip a coffee in the garden, which you can buy at one of the shops while watching her grandchildren play. Any mother would be more than contented with this kind of celebration.

Aside from food and drinks, most of the shops in the village sell handmade products. So if your mum loves these things, she will get plenty of them in this village.

Pro Tip:
Want your whole family to experience as many activities as possible in the village? Visit them as early as 9 AM. That way, you guys can do almost all the fun activities before they close.

7. Let her enjoy and relax on green pastures at Cornwall Park

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Website: https://cornwallpark.co.nz/ 

Address: Green Lane West, Epsom, Auckland

Contact Details: +64 9 630 8485

Operating Hours: 

  • Monday to Sunday – 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Pricing: $

If you want to give your mum the full nature experience on this special day, take her to Cornwall Park. It has many different kinds of tall trees that make the place very relaxing to the eyes.

The park is a wide and serene spot where your mum can set things aside for a moment and have a breath of fresh air.

If you want to make things more special, you can even bring your own food and a mat and have a picnic with her. Or, maybe you can ask her to cook some of her best dishes before going to the park. Sounds like a plan, right?

Pro Tip:
Instead of sitting all day on the grass, invite your mum for a walk on one of the park’s easy-to-walk trails, such as the trail through the paddocks. This will allow her to fully experience the peaceful vibe of the spot.

8. Satisfy her stomach and cat obsession at Catnap Cafe

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Website: https://www.catnapcafe.co.nz/ 

Address: 391 Colombo Street, Sydenham, Christchurch

Contact Details: +64 3 260 2287

Operating Hours: 

  • Wednesday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Pricing: $

Taking her to Catnap Cafe is one of the best things to do on Mother’s Day in NZ if she loves cats so much. The cafe has enough adorable cats to give her the dose of fur baby she needs. 

The place has a peaceful atmosphere with cute cats meowing in the background. The good news for your mum is that they are all friendly to hoomans.

Here, you’ll spend only NZ$16 to give your mum a 55-minute playtime with the animal she loves most.

Pro Tip:
All cats at Catnap Cafe are rescue cats. You can adopt one if you want to go beyond the mile to make your mother happy on this special day.

9. Pamper her at The Cut Co

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Website: https://www.fresha.com/a/the-cut-co-auckland-125-karangahape-road-vmmb6fy8?pId 

Address: 125 Karangahape Road, Auckland Central, Auckland

Contact Details: +64 9 302 2838

Operating Hours: 

  • Monday to Friday – 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM
  • Saturday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Pricing: $

Whose mum doesn’t want to get her hair done if she has the time? No one. So, take your mum to the salon during Mother’s Day to make her day (and her hair) good.

The Cut Co delivers top-notch service to men and women for a fair price. They house hairdressers who are experienced enough to give your mum a good hair day on the day dedicated to her.

Pro Tip:
They excel in hair colouring, so don’t hesitate to let your mum have it on this special day.

10. Let her unwind at Rainforest Retreat

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Website: https://rainforest.nz/ 

Address: 46 Cron Street, Franz Josef / Waiau

Contact Details: +64 3 752 0220

Operating Hours:

  • Check-in time – 3:00 PM
  • Check-out time – 10:00 AM

Pricing: $$

Rainforest Retreat has 10 types of solo and family-friendly accommodations. This is the perfect spot to allow your mum and dad to have alone time together on this special day. 

Each accommodation has a different kind of chill atmosphere packed with scenic views. The rooms have all the amenities your mum needs to have a comfortable stay.

In addition to its peaceful rooms and environment, this hotel offers delicious food. Monsoon Restaurant and Bar serves a wide choice of breakfast and a lovely dinner. It’s a good idea to book a table for your parents in the evening.

Pro Tip:
If you want your parents to have quality time together, avail the Deluxe Spa Tree House. This tree house can give them privacy so they enjoy each other’s company. It lies close to the rainforest, allowing them to relax completely. The icing on the cake is the spa on the terrace.

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