Hilton Lake Taupō: Your home for Agile on the Beach NZ 2026

In 2026, Agile on the Beach NZ comes to the heart of the North Island. We’re excited to host our next conference at the Hilton Lake Taupō, a historic landmark hotel overlooking the lake and mountains—for 2.5 days of learning, connecting, and sharing. Yes, it’s an inland body of water, but it still has plenty of beautiful beaches, even if the water is a bit cooler.

The venue gives us the best of both worlds: professional spaces for keynotes, masterclasses, and workshops, plus a relaxed lakeside setting that keeps the spirit of Agile on the Beach alive.

Why Taupō?

Back in 2024, we asked where you wanted the conference to go. There were four strong contenders: Napier, New Plymouth, Rotorua, and Taupō. We then ran a LinkedIn poll over 6 weeks, with Taupō getting 39% of the votes.

The benefits of Taupō are that it sits in the heart of the North Island, making it easy to reach from Auckland, Wellington, or further afield. The town combines breathtaking natural beauty with a warm, welcoming community, giving our event the perfect backdrop. From lakeside walks and hot pools to cafés and local culture, Taupō offers plenty to enjoy outside of conference hours, making it an ideal setting for connection and reflection — and even an extended stay.

Pronunciation guide

Taupō is pronounced toe-paw in its official Te Reo Māori form, where “au” forms a shorter vowel sound (as in the toe of your foot) and the macron on the “ō” elongates the vowel sound (as in the paw of your dog). While the Anglicised version tow-po is common, the Māori pronunciation is the preferred and more respectful way we’ll pronounce it at the conference.

The venue experience

In the Heritage Wing of the hotel, the Hilton provides a main conference hall large enough for our keynote sessions and community gatherings, alongside flexible breakout rooms for workshops and masterclasses. The terraces and dining spaces open out to lake and mountain views, creating natural places for informal networking and conversation. With everything under one roof, you’ll find it easy to move between sessions and social events, and the atmosphere encourages both structured learning and serendipitous connection.

Getting here

Taupō is around a 3.5 hour drive from Auckland and 4.5 hours from Wellington — and Air New Zealand has flights from Auckland to Taupō, with the airport just 10 minutes from the Hilton — and of course you can have connecting flights from elsewhere to get there. Whether you arrive by car, plane, or bus, the journey itself is part of the experience, offering some of the most scenic routes in the country.

If you’re not staying at the Hilton, there are several parking options on site. A secure underground car park with 45 spaces is available for hotel guests at $30 per day, subject to availability on arrival. In addition, there are up to 20 complimentary spaces directly in front of the Heritage Wing, plus a larger free lower car park with around 60 spaces, including extra room for buses and larger vehicles.

Why not extend your stay?

If you’re thinking of staying for longer, Taupō has plenty to offer. Relax in geothermal hot pools, take a boat trip on the lake, or explore the cafés and shops in town. For the more adventurous, Taupō is also a hub for skydiving, mountain biking, and jet boating. With Tongariro National Park just a short drive away, world-class hiking is right on your doorstep.

Accommodation

Taupō offers a wide range of accommodation, from boutique hotels and lakeside lodges to motels, holiday parks, and Airbnbs, all within easy reach of the venue. For those who prefer the convenience of staying on site, we’ve negotiated a discounted conference rate at the Hilton Lake Taupō itself. Staying at the conference venue makes it easier to join early-morning masterclasses, stay on for late-evening socials, and everything in between, while enjoying the views and amenities of the hotel. Room numbers at the Hilton are limited, so we encourage early booking once registration opens. Details on how to book with the conference discount will be provided with your ticket confirmation.