What we’re about
Are you looking for fun social activities/meetups in Wellington and want to make new friends? Join and read more!
Hey mates is a social community that connects people over fun, engaging and social activities. Our mission is to Enable connections over Better than good experiences!
We are on a journey to combat the global epidemic of social isolation and loneliness. We aim to create a safe and inclusive space that is open to people of all ages, genders, and races.
Here's the caveat: majority of our activities are Paid. Some are Free.
Pay to attend as little as $5 per event.
You might ask: Most of the meetups are free - why are you charging money?
Short answer:
- To support and value our hosts.
- Enabling Activity Hosting for Free. Meetup charges $180+ per year.
- Supporting our hosts to provide a Better than Good experience!
- Development of the platform.
Long answer:
You could do any activity alone or for free via another platform or means but with varied experience. You might find at those events/activities:
- everyone had their own group
- was hard getting to know other people or even talk
- there was no 1-1 conversation or even facilitation to feel safe
- felt alone even, no one acknowledged or spoke with you
- the group was so big that you felt lost
- the overall experience was average or less than good.
We run our activities with a difference:
- Qualified, kind and trusted host
- Facilitated and co-ordinated events
- High confidence, 90% attendee show-up rate.
- Over 30% of users attend more than twice.
- Small groups, better outcomes. (max. 15 attendees per event)
- See Familiar faces and reconnect over repeat activities - build trust and long-term friendships.
Message from Founder:
"When I moved to Wellington, I didn't know anyone. I tried attending a variety of meetups, facebook and other club events, but I never felt any genuine connections or had quality time at the events.
I went down the path of feeling alone and being socially isolated affecting my mental health. I didn't want to accept loneliness as an option so I started hosting activities and reaching out to people. Hosting activities opened so many doors for me.
I met many wonderful people, had genuine conversations, and fostered close friendships that are still alive to this day." - Dhruv V.
If you're not finding an opportunity or an event/activity you love, host one and open yourself to meeting new people!
Hosting is Free with us - no need to pay $100+ to meetup subscriptions.
If you ask how follow these steps:
- Create an account: https://heymates.com/sign-up/
- Fill out this form to indicate what activity you would like to do: heymates.com/host-activity
- If you just want to talk, send us an email - [email protected] or text 0221860690. :)
If you have come this far? Thank you for reading. <3
Join an activity today and support our mission.
Have fun making new connections and quality friends.
See you out there!
Looking to ditch the routine, sink some shots over drinks and meet new people.
🎟️ Join the activity here: https://heymates.com/wellington/wlgpool/
😵 RSVP is managed via Hey mates.
✅️ Meeting spot and exact location is shared with confirmed attendees.
From Josiah: Looking to ditch the routine, unleash some laughter, and sink some shots with awesome new people? Let's play some friendly Pool game over drinks.
Josiah's Profile
- Age: 27
- Interests: Gym & Excercise, Cooking & Travel
Cost: $5 - reserves your seat and supports the platform.
- Everyone pays for their own game and drinks!
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People in your group are there to socialise, connect and have fun. Who knows? You might just discover your new BFF!
If you have any questions please comment down below or send me a message.
See you there!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Morning walk to Eastern WalkwayTarakena Bay/bottom Ataturk Memorial parking lot, Wellington
👉 Join the activity here: https://heymates.com/wellington/wlg-sundaywalks
😵 RSVP is managed via Hey mates. Free to attend.
✅ Meeting spot is visible after you've joined the activity.
Embark on a refreshing coastal walk along the Easter Walkway, a stunning trail that offers breathtaking views over Wellington Harbour.
This event is a perfect opportunity to connect with fellow outdoor enthusiasts while enjoying the beauty of nature.
Patricia's profile:
- Interests: Going out, Travel and Outdoors.
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✨ What to Expect ✨
From Tarakena Bay, we'll follow the coastal track along Breaker Bay, making a loop back to the car park.
The trail takes approximately 1.5 hours, offering a mix of scenic landscapes and great photo opportunities.
Bring your walking shoes, water bottle, and a sense of adventure!
If carpooling is required, get in touch with the host to coordinate.
This walk is an excellent way to explore Wellington's beautiful coastline, meet new people, and start your day on a high note. Whether you're new to hiking or a seasoned walker, all are welcome.
See you soon.
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RSVP is a must! https://heymates.com
People in your group are there to socialise, connect and have fun. Who knows? You might just discover your new BFF!
If you have any questions please comment down below or send me a message.
See you there!
- Social Pool & Drinks 🎱Wellington CBD, Wellington
Looking to ditch the routine, sink some shots over drinks and meet new people.
🎟️ Join the activity here: https://heymates.com/wellington/wlgpool/
😵 RSVP is managed via Hey mates.
✅️ Meeting spot and exact location is shared with confirmed attendees.
From Josiah: Looking to ditch the routine, unleash some laughter, and sink some shots with awesome new people? Let's play some friendly Pool game over drinks.
Josiah's Profile
- Age: 27
- Interests: Gym & Excercise, Cooking & Travel
Cost: $5 - reserves your seat and supports the platform.
- Everyone pays for their own game and drinks!
------------------------------------------------------------
People in your group are there to socialise, connect and have fun. Who knows? You might just discover your new BFF!
If you have any questions please comment down below or send me a message.
See you there!
- Day Trip to Turakirae Head (Wainuiomata coast)Needs location
🎟️ Join the activity here: heymates.com/wellington/wlg-turakiraehead
🧐 RSVP is managed via Hey mates. Free to attend. 👆
Discover the rugged beauty of Turakirae Head and its rich geological history. We’ll walk along the coastline to Barney’s Whare, passing by the largest New Zealand fur seal colony 🦭 in the Wellington region and five earthquake-raised beaches.
Walk Duration: 3.5 hours (return)
Meeting point
- We will meet at the Turakirae Head carpark at 10:30am.
Getting there
- You will need to drive to the location as there is no public transport available. It’s a 50-minute drive from Wellington CBD.
- If you need a ride, Samina can take up to three people from Johnsonville Train Station. Get in touch with her to arrange carpooling.
What to bring
- Water, snacks, and lunch
- Warm waterproof jacket
- Sturdy hiking shoes
If the weather is rainy, we’ll postpone to another day. Samina will confirm the day before.
This walk promises a mix of history, wildlife, and breathtaking scenery. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with nature and fellow walkers.
See you there!
- Saturday Brunch & ConnectionsWellington, Wellington
Meet new people over delicious Brunch at a local café!
🎟️ Join the activity here: https://heymates.com/wellington/brunch/
😵 RSVP is managed via Hey mates.
✅ Meeting spot / Exact location is visible after you've joined the activity.
Come along for a cozy brunch and a morning of coffee, chats, and new connections. Let's check out a cool cafe and enjoy good vibes with good people!!
Samina's profile:
- Interests: Outdoors, Music, Arts & Crafts
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⭐️ What to Expect ⭐️
Delicious food, good coffee and great company! You will meet new people and build new connections over meaningful conversations.
To keep things fun and break the ice, we’ll start with a small game and have some question cards handy for anyone who wants an extra spark to get the conversation flowing.
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🤩 WHO THIS IS FOR?
Anyone in Wellington, any gender, aged 20-50, who wants to make new friends!
We get people who are new to Wellington, locals who feel like their old friends are on a different path to them, extroverts who are social butterflies, introverts who are getting out of their comfort zone, people who already have friends but just want to meet new people and have variety in their friendship circle, or people who just love a good convo over some good food!
📍 WHERE IS IT?
We host our Brunches in cool Cafés across central Wellington. We only reveal the location to ticket holders. This is to ensure we only get confirmed attendees.
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FAQs:
📌 Q: Can I come alone?
A: Absolutely! In fact, people come to this brunch by themselves; everyone is in the same boat so it's a very warm and welcoming environment.📌 Q: What if I'm super nervous?
A: Being nervous is a completely normal part of this - it means you’re human and that you care about making friends! I can guarantee you, everyone is feeling nervous, so if you go up to anyone and introduce yourself, they’ll be just as relieved to have found a new friend.We promise everyone is so lovely at these events and your nerves will melt away so fast once you arrive!
📌 Q: Why there is a fee to attend? I thought Meetups are free.
A: We are building a community, a better way of meeting new people over social activities. Unlike random Meetups with varied experiences.The activity fee goes towards:
- Development of the platform.
- Enabling Activity Hosting for Free. Meetup charges $180+ per year.
- Supporting our hosts to provide a Better than Good experience!
Why attend or organise a Hey mates event:
- Free to host social activities.
- Built-in Attendee Trust and visible guest list.
- High confidence, 90% attendee show-up rate.
- Over 30% of users attend more than twice.
- Effective attendee and host comms.
- Manage RSVP, reschedules and refund automation. (coming soon)Our mission is to Enable connections over Better than good experiences!
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RSVP is a must! https://heymates.com
People in your group are there to socialise, connect and have fun. Who knows? You might just discover your new BFF!
If you have any questions please comment down below or send me a message.
See you there!