Live
Auction
Once‑in‑a‑lifetime experiences
A highlight of the Bucket List Banquet is our live auction, featuring extraordinary “bucket list” experiences you won’t find anywhere else.
Once again, these items are available for both the guests in the room, and also ‘absentee’ bidders. If you would like to register as an absentee bidder, please contact cherie.mccleery@hospicewaikato.org.nz by 4.00pm on Friday 8 May 2026.
The Vault
Step inside The Vault
A high‑security space where we keep the very best of tonight’s silent auction under “lock and key”.
Wander through, take a closer look, and when something catches your eye, simply place your bid through the event auction platform on your phone or device. Bid boldly and bid often – every winning bid helps Hospice Waikato continue walking alongside patients and families across our community.
SILENT
AUCTION
Something for everyone
Our silent auction gives everyone the chance to take part, with a wide range of incredible items generously donated by our community.
With over 60 items up for auction, it’s an easy and enjoyable way to support Hospice Waikato — from indulgent treats to practical essentials, all available to bid on whether you’re in the room on the night or bidding from the comfort of your home.
Register via Galabid, browse at your leisure, and get ready to bid.
Singapore Grand Prix Raffle
Lights out … and away you go … to Singapore!
Imagine you and a friend flying Business Class with Air New Zealand, touching down in Singapore just as the city gears up for the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix 2026. You’ll stay four nights at the stunning The Clan Singapore, enjoy daily breakfast, and take your place in the Super Pit Grandstand for three unforgettable nights of high‑octane racing under the lights. The draw is taking place LIVE at the Bucket List Banquet (16 May 2026).
Thanks to House of Travel Hamilton and Air New Zealand for their support.
ABOUT THE EVENT
An iconic Waikato night, making a lasting difference
The Hospice Waikato & Montana Food and Events Bucket List Banquet is one of the region’s most anticipated events—bringing together more than 1,000 guests for an unforgettable evening of exceptional food, entertainment, and generosity.
This special night is our major fundraiser, helping ensure Hospice Waikato can continue providing care and support to patients and their whānau, at no cost, when it matters most.
HEATHCOTES GRAND SPIN
In 2023, Heathcotes came on board as our Wheel of Care sponsor and they are back for a fourth year in 2026, offering a range of absolutely amazing prizes. Keep an eye out for the new look “Heathcotes Grand Spin”, a premium, roulette-style experience for guests at the 2026 banquet. A huge thank you to the Heathcote Family for supporting this new look activation. You can show your thanks by buying local.
TASTE OF TOURS LUCKY LAST CHANCE WALL
Taste of Tours Lucky Last Chance Lottery is back in 2026. It’s a final opportunity for guests to support Hospice Waikato as they head out at the end of the night.
Taking part is quick and easy—simply purchase a ‘mystery’ envelope on your way out and discover what you’ve won inside.
A heartfelt thank you to Nourish Magazine and Taste of Tours for coming on board as event sponsors.
The Hospice Waikato Bucket List Banquet was first held in 2013 and has since become an iconic Waikato event.
Held annually (with the exception of 2020), the banquet brings together more than 1,000 guests for an unforgettable evening of exceptional food, entertainment, and connection. It’s also a valued networking opportunity for Waikato businesses.
At its heart, the evening is about supporting our community hospice—Hospice Waikato.
Hospice Waikato is often described as delivering specialist community palliative care, supporting adults and children with terminal or life‑limiting illness. In reality, our care goes much further than this.
When someone is referred to us, we surround both the patient and their family and whānau with a wide circle of care. Alongside medical and nursing support, we provide emotional, practical, and wellbeing services tailored to what matters most.
Our multidisciplinary team—including doctors, nurses, counsellors, social workers, therapists, kaiawhina, support staff, and volunteers—is focused on helping people live fully, right to the end.
Providing care at such a vulnerable time is a privilege, and our team is proud to deliver compassionate, personal support to patients and whānau at the end of life.
WE COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU
The Hospice Waikato & Montana Food and Events Bucket List Banquet is made possible through the generous support of our event partners.
With Montana leading the way, these partnerships help us deliver a standout event—bringing our community together, sharing the impact of hospice care, and raising vital funds for Hospice Waikato.
We’re proud to recognise our partners and encourage you to support them where possible.
NAMING RIGHTS PARTNER
EVENT PARTNERS
EVENT SPONSORS
LIVE AUCTION ITEM DONORS
YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS
SILENT AUCTION ITEMS
Our silent auctions give everyone an opportunity to win an amazing item and support our organisation at the same time. Once again in 2025, we have more than 60 amazing silent auction items, all donated by our incredibly generous Hospice Waikato community. The silent auction will open at midday on Monday the 22nd of April 2024 and close at 10.00pm on Friday the 3rd of May 2024. To take part in this auction, please sign up to Galabid.
Put the 22nd of April in your calendar and get bidding! And don’t forget to check back from 6.00pm on the 3rd of May 2024 when our 1,000 guests descend on the Globox arena at the Claudelands Events Centre and the bidding really starts to ramp up!
A premium men’s or women’s custom suit by Dorset Suit Hire
This is an amazing opportunity to get a custom suit made for that special occasion, or to make sure you stand out in the crowd at your next big event.
Kid’s Café Bike – Donated by the Fink Family Trust
Balance bikes serve as the perfect tool to teach your kids how to ride a bike. Teaching them to pedal is easy, however, teaching them to balance is a whole other thing! What better way for your child (or grandchild) to learn on something cool, and what’s cooler than a Custom Cate Racer! Designed in New Zealand, these balance bikes are made from timber so you know they’re durable and sustainable. Suitable for kids aged 2-6.
SCANPAN 10-piece Pot Set – Donated by Kitchen Things, Hamilton
With many years of experience, SCANPAN’s Danish designers have developed the popular stainless steel Impact range, with all the features you would expect from SCANPAN. This 10 piece set is one of SCANPAN’s best sellers!
Kadai Fire Bowl Set – Donated by Hawthorne Collections
Make sure you’re nice and warm while outdoors this winter next to this kadai style Sahar Fire Pit. The Kadai design originates from Northern India, where they were used as large cooking pots at festivals and weddings, as well as for general day-to-day cooking. The tried and tested design has not changed for centuries, with riveted plates formed into a bowl shape and fitted with strong carry handles.
YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS
Another way you can be involved
With the Government funding about 70% of our annual operating costs, generating funds to keep our specialist community palliative care services free of charge is always front of mind for us here at Hospice Waikato. Our annual Hospice Waikato Bucket List Banquet provides us with an opportunity to host 1,000 of Waikato’s community in a night of networking and celebration, and raise funds for Hospice Waikato at the same time.
A key part of the evening are the auctions. Each year, we receive donations of auction items from a large number of organisations who see this as a great way to support Hospice Waikato. In the past, we have had items donated that are worth anything between $100 and $30,000 and every cent raised goes to support our service delivery.
If you’re not able to make it to this year’s Hospice Waikato and Montana Food & Events Bucket List Banquet, but you’d like to help to ensure our specialist community palliative care services remain free for our community, you’re welcome to make an online donation to Hospice Waikato and we can assure you, your support will be hugely appreciated by the whole team at Hospice Waikato.