Dating guides
Dating guides for New Zealand
First date ideas in eleven cities, tips for a profile people reply to, meeting halfway, staying safe, and help choosing the right app. Written by the team behind Matcha, a dating app made in Auckland.
First date ideas
-
City of Sails
15 first date ideas in Auckland
Summit walks, ferry trips, galleries and beaches, from an easy coffee to a full day out.
Read the guide
-
Harbour capital
12 first date ideas in Wellington
Cuba Street, the cable car, Te Papa and Zealandia, plus ideas for a windy day.
Read the guide
-
Garden City
12 first date ideas in Christchurch
The Botanic Gardens, punting on the Avon, Riverside Market and the Port Hills.
Read the guide
More cities
-
Kirikiriroa
11 first date ideas in Hamilton
Hamilton Gardens, the river paths and Hood Street, plus Raglan and Waitomo for later.
Read the guide
-
Bay of Plenty
11 first date ideas in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui
Mauao, the Mount Hot Pools, the Strand and glowworms at McLaren Falls.
Read the guide
-
Lakes and geothermal
11 first date ideas in Rotorua
Kuirau Park, the Redwoods, Eat Streat and hot pools by the lake.
Read the guide
-
Napier and Hastings
12 first date ideas in Hawke's Bay
Art Deco Napier, Te Mata Peak, the farmers' market and cellar doors.
Read the guide
-
Manawatū
9 first date ideas in Palmerston North
The Square, the Esplanade, the river pathway and the gorge.
Read the guide
-
Top of the South
11 first date ideas in Nelson
The Saturday market, Tāhunanui Beach, craft beer and Abel Tasman for later.
Read the guide
-
Ōtepoti
12 first date ideas in Dunedin
The farmers market, St Clair, Tunnel Beach and the Otago Peninsula.
Read the guide
-
Tāhuna
12 first date ideas in Queenstown
Lakeside walks, the gondola, Onsen Hot Pools and Arrowtown for later.
Read the guide
Photos: Tauranga by Alexander Klink (CC BY 3.0), Hawke's Bay by Pseudopanax (CC BY 4.0), Palmerston North by AnnWoolliams (CC BY-SA 4.0), Nelson by Schwede66 (CC BY-SA 3.0) and Dunedin by Antilived (CC BY-SA 3.0), all cropped.
Profiles and messaging
Choosing an app
- Best dating apps in New Zealand: how to choose the right one What the main apps are good for, what to look for, and how to pick one that fits what you want. Read the guide
- Free dating apps in New Zealand: what you get without paying What a free account usually includes, what costs extra, and how to make it work. Read the guide
Meeting up and staying safe
- Meet in the middle: plan a first date halfway between you Matcha suggests a café, bar or restaurant about halfway between you and your match, without either of you sharing where you live. Read the guide
- Online dating safety: how to stay safe on dating apps in New Zealand Spotting scams, meeting safely for the first time, and where to get help in New Zealand. Read the guide
Meet people who want something real
Matcha is a New Zealand dating app for real connections. Women message first, photos are checked when they're uploaded, and it's free to join on Android or in your browser.