Last updated November 2026
A marquee turns a back lawn, a lakeside section or a farm paddock into a venue, which is why so many Taupō weddings, milestone birthdays and work functions end up under canvas. It also gives you a lot of decisions to make in a short time: what style of marquee, what size, what goes inside it, and what happens if the weather turns. This guide covers the questions to work through before you book marquee hire in Taupō, so your quote matches the event you actually have in mind.
★View the Best Party Rentals in Taupō→Start With the Guest List and the Layout
The size of the marquee depends less on the number of guests than on what they will be doing. A cocktail-style party with standing guests needs far less room than a seated dinner at long tables, and a seated dinner needs extra space again for a dance floor, a bar, a buffet, a band or DJ, a cake table and room for caterers to move.
Before you ask for a quote, write down:
- The number of guests, and whether they will be seated, standing or a mix
- Long tables or round tables
- Whether you want a dance floor, bar, stage or lounge area inside
- Where the food is served and prepared
- The space you have available on the site, measured roughly, including any slope
A hire company can then recommend a size and draw up a layout. Ask for the seated capacity of each size with your table style, rather than a general “up to” figure.
The Main Types of Marquee
Peg and pole (Hampton style)
- What it looks like
- Peaked white roof held up by tall poles and guy ropes, with a classic, relaxed look
- Often chosen for
- Weddings and garden parties on grass
Frame or clearspan
- What it looks like
- Straight sides and a framed roof with no centre poles, so the floor is clear
- Often chosen for
- Corporate events, product launches and larger dinners
Stretch tent
- What it looks like
- A flexible fabric roof pulled into curves, open or partly walled
- Often chosen for
- Relaxed parties and outdoor bars
Small pop-up or spring top
- What it looks like
- A compact square shelter
- Often chosen for
- Food stations, entrances and smaller gatherings
Peg and pole marquees need ground the pegs can go into, usually lawn or paddock. On concrete, decking or a hard surface, a framed marquee secured with weights is usually the better option. If you are not sure, send the hire company photos of the site.
Planning for Taupō Weather
Taupō evenings can be cool even in summer, and sites near the lake or on open rural land can catch the wind. A few things make a big difference on the day:
- Walls. Ask for side walls you can roll up or drop down, so the marquee can stay open in the afternoon and close in when the temperature falls.
- Heating. Outdoor heaters or patio heaters need to be suitable for use near a marquee. Ask the hire company what is safe inside and what must stay outside.
- Flooring. Wet grass and heels are a poor mix. Flooring or a dance floor keeps guests comfortable if it has rained in the days before.
- Lighting. Festoon lights, fairy lights or lanterns are worth planning in from the start, because a marquee gets dark quickly once the sun goes down.
- A wind plan. Ask what the company does in strong wind and what the cancellation terms are.
Do You Need a Building Consent for a Marquee?
Under the Building Act, a tent or marquee is exempt from building consent if its floor area is no more than 100 square metres and it stays up for no more than one month. A larger marquee, or one left up for longer, may need a building consent or an exemption from the council. MBIE explains the rule, with examples, in its guide to tents, marquees and similar lightweight structures. An established hire company deals with this regularly and can tell you whether your marquee is likely to need anything, but it is worth asking early for a big wedding or a public event, and checking with the Taupō District Council if your event is on a reserve or other public land.
What Usually Comes With Marquee Hire
Quotes vary a lot in what they include, so compare them line by line. Ask whether the price covers:
- Delivery, set-up and pack-down, and whether set-up happens the day before
- Side walls, flooring and lighting, or only the roof
- Tables, chairs, linen, tableware and glassware
- Heating, a dance floor, a bar or a stage
- Travel costs if your venue is out of town
Most marquee hire is priced to the size and style of marquee and everything that goes inside it, so the clearer your layout, the more accurate your quote.
When to Book
Summer weekends book out first, especially from late spring through to Easter, along with school ball season and big event weekends in Taupō. For a wedding or a large function, book the marquee as soon as you have a date and a site. Smaller items such as extra chairs, linen or lighting can usually be added closer to the day.
Getting Started With Get Set Event Hire
Get Set Event Hire runs a walk-in hire store at 12 Tītīraupenga Street in central Taupō, led by event manager Tracey Thompson. Its marquee range includes Hampton peg and pole marquees, clipframe and spring top marquees and a stretch tent, along with dance floors, stage units and themed settings. For weddings, its wedding hire also covers linen, tableware, furniture, backdrops and table displays, with a delivery and set-up service. You can call into the store to see items in person or get in touch for a quote.
