When it comes to saying goodbye to someone you love, the setting matters. Marquee Hire City can help create a meaningful, comfortable space - wherever that needs to be
Where the Idea Began
Marquee Hire City founder Andrew knows first-hand what it means to want a farewell that truly reflects the person you’ve lost. When his father Jock passed away in 2017, the family faced a familiar question: where do you hold a funeral for someone whose ‘place of worship’ was the golf course?
Jock was Vice President of the Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club, and while Andrew’s mum was told no one had ever held a funeral there before, it seemed like exactly the right place. A marquee was erected on the practice fairway, and Jock was farewelled in a setting that was entirely his own.
Andrew had also attended a beautiful funeral in Point Wells that looked straight out over the estuary - a location that would have been impossible without a marquee. These experiences planted the seed for what Marquee Hire City would become, and funeral marquees have been a meaningful part of the business ever since.
Why Choose a Marquee for a Funeral or Memorial?
A marquee gives families the freedom to hold a service or gathering in a place that was genuinely special to the person who has passed - not just wherever a venue happens to be available. That might be a golf course, a beach, a farm, a family garden, or a waterfront reserve. The location becomes part of the farewell.
Beyond the setting, many families find that a marquee offers a more relaxed and comfortable environment than a traditional place of worship. There’s more room to move, more space for people to gather naturally, and a freedom from formality that can make a difficult day feel a little more personal.
Supporting Families at Home
For some families and cultures, bringing the body home is an important part of the farewell process. In these situations, the home becomes a place of gathering for extended family and the wider community - and the practical needs of feeding and caring for people can be significant.
Marquee Hire City regularly assists families in these circumstances by providing marquees in the garden or on the property, giving space for the preparation and serving of food away from the body - allowing the home to function as it needs to during this time.
New Zealand-Made Marquees, Built for Speed and Quality
Time is often of the essence when arranging a funeral, and Marquee Hire City is set up to move quickly. We use the Baytex Clipframe system - available in 6m and 10m widths - which is proudly New Zealand-made. The Clipframe system is designed for fast, efficient installation and pack-down, meaning we can have a professional, quality marquee in place with minimal disruption and maximum reliability. Where weather permits, we can also configure the marquee as an open-ended gable structure, giving guests a completely unobstructed view of the surroundings - perfect when the setting itself is part of the farewell.
Alongside the marquees, we can supply everything needed for the gathering:
Chairs and tables for guests
Catering equipment for refreshments
Sound systems for speakers, music, and audio tributes
Making a Booking
When you need to make arrangements, please call our work line directly — we understand that timing is critical and we will prioritise your enquiry. If the event is being held on a larger open area, let us know the expected number of guests and we can advise on the best marquee size and layout to suit your needs.
We approach every funeral and memorial booking with the care and discretion the occasion deserves.
Get in Touch
Freephone 0508 462 778 for urgent bookings
sales@marqueehirecity.co.nz
