The Sands Hotel Hokianga

14/09/2026

🥢 CHINESE STREET FOOD NIGHT — THIS THURSDAY 🌶️

The kitchen has been busy testing dishes for Thursday night… and we thought we’d give you a little taste of what’s coming. 👀🔥

Gather the whānau, bring your appetite and join us at The Sands for a generous Chinese-inspired buffet packed with bold flavours, spice and plenty to share.

Expect favourites including Mapo tofu, Kung pao chicken, sweet & sour pork with Sichuan flavours, pork & edamame salad, smashed cucumber, noodles, rice and more — followed by mango sago pudding and warm banana fritters for dessert.

Adults $55
Children under 12 $29
Children under 5 free

📅 Thursday 17 September
🕠 5.30pm–9.00pm | Last booking 7.00pm

Bookings are essential — grab your table now
🤳Phone us on 09 405 8787 or
👉book online:
https://booking.resdiary.com/widget/Standard/TheSandsHotel/9219

01/09/2026

𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 🥢🥟

Gather your whānau and friends and join us for another flavour-filled theme night at The Sands on 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟳 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿.

Enjoy a generous Chinese-inspired buffet featuring:

🥣 Winter melon & pork rib soup
🥗 Pork & edamame bean salad
🥒 Smashed cucumber & daikon salad
🍜 Cold soba noodle salad with soy sesame dressing
🌶️ Mapo tofu
🥜 Kung pao chicken
🍄 Wild mushroom & veggie stir fry
🐖 Sweet & sour pork with Sichuan flavours
🍚 Steamed rice & noodles

And for dessert — mango sago pudding, warm banana fritters with cream & custard, and cake of the day.

𝗔𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 $𝟱𝟱
𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟮 $𝟮𝟵
𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝟱 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲

📅 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟳 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿
🕠 𝟱.𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺–𝟵.𝟬𝟬𝗽𝗺 | 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟳.𝟬𝟬𝗽𝗺

Bring your appetite, bring your whānau, and let us take care of dinner.

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹.
👉 Phone us or book your table here: https://booking.resdiary.com/widget/Standard/TheSandsHotel/9219

11/08/2026

For a limited time, enjoy two nights from $480, including daily breakfast for up to two people + a $50 dining credit per room, per stay.

Hokianga is calling. 🌊

Answer the call. Slow down. Dine. Unwind.

Sometimes the best escape is closer than you think.
Head over and treat yourself to a little staycation at The Sands.

A couple of days away. Good kai. And a little time to simply slow down.

Find out more and book here: https://www.thesandshotel.co.nz/experiences/hokianga-is-calling.html

Book direct by 7 September 2026 using code HOKIANGA.
T&Cs apply.

27/07/2026

🌶️ FINAL CALL FOR PRIYA’S CURRY NIGHT 🌶️

Hokianga, we’d love to see a few more local faces around the table for Priya’s Curry Night at The Sands.

Join us this Thursday, 30 July, for an all-you-can-eat buffet prepared by Chef Priya and the team.

On the menu:

🍛 Butter chicken
🍛 Lamb rogan josh
🍛 Madras coconut fish curry
🍛 Lentil soup
🍚 Basmati rice
🥗 Fresh salads
🫓 Papadums and roti

Adults | $55
Children under 12 | $29
Children under 5 | Free

Dining from 5pm, with the final booking time at 7pm.

Bookings are essential, so gather your whānau or friends and send us a message or call 09 405 8737 to secure your table. ❤️

Embrace Hokianga's charm with warm hospitality, delicious food, drinks, and good times!

20/07/2026

🌶️ PRIYA’S CURRY NIGHT! 🌶️

Locals, this one is for you

Round up your whānau and friends and join us at The Sands for a warming winter curry night prepared by Chef Priya and the team.

Thursday 30 July
5pm–9pm | Last bookings at 7pm

Enjoy a delicious selection of:

🍛 Butter chicken
🍛 Lamb rogan josh
🍛 Madras coconut fish curry
🍛 Lentil soup
🍚 Basmati rice
🥗 Fresh salads
🫓 Papadums & roti
and more...

Adults | $55 per person
Children under 12 | $29
Children under 5 | Free

Bookings are essential — send us a message or call 09 4058737 to reserve your table.

Come along, support local and let Priya take care of dinner! 🔥

09/07/2026

We’re feeling very humbled and proud to see The Sands Hokianga featured in the July issue of Kia Ora magazine, alongside so many respected kai Māori dining experiences from across the motu.

A special mihi to our team, who bring creativity, manaakitanga and genuine heart to what they do - and to our locals and returning guests who continue to support us and share a meal with us.

For us, it’s simply about good food, manaakitanga, and the memories and moments of connection here in Hokianga.

Ngā mihi nui to Air New Zealand for including us in such a beautiful feature.

06/07/2026

✨Mānawatia a Matariki mā Puanga ✨

Until 13 July, we’re honouring the Māori New Year through our dinner menu at The Sands.

Rather than creating a separate Matariki menu, we’ve taken our new, popular winter menu and thoughtfully aligned it to the whetū - the stars of Matariki - with acknowledgement of Puanga as our guiding star in the west.

Each section of the menu connects to the stars, from Waitā and the gifts of the moana, to Tupuānuku and kai from the whenua, and Hiwa-i-te-rangi and sweet wishes for the year ahead.

It’s the same winter menu our guests have been enjoying, shared in a way that invites us all to gather, remember, give thanks for the kai before us, and look ahead to the year to come.

Join us for dinner this Matariki season.
Bookings essential.

Mānawatia a Matariki.

13/06/2026

**Our New Winter Menu, Now on Sundays**

Our new winter menu has been getting such a great response, so from this Sunday we’ll be offering our full à la carte menu instead of Sunday Roast.

Think coastal comfort, seasonal flavours, shared plates, hearty mains and something for everyone around the table.

With sunsets like we’ve had lately, Sunday dinner by the harbour feels like the perfect way to end the weekend 🌅👌🏽

Bookings recommended 📅📞

05/06/2026

❄️ OUR WINTER MENU HAS ARRIVED❄️

As the days grow cooler, our kitchen has been busy crafting a new menu designed for sharing, comfort and connection.

Created by our award-winning chef, Priya Darshani, the Winter Menu brings together the rich, smoky flavours of traditional hāngī with authentic Asian influences and international flair.

Think slow-braised pork belly, hand-rolled salmon flat bread, fragrant seafood laksa, creamy trio ravioli, and many more new dishes for winter indulgence.

Whether you're gathering with friends or whānau over shared plates or settling in for a cosy date night overlooking the harbour, there's something to warm every appetite.

📅 Book your table and experience winter dining at The Sands Restaurant Hokianga

www.thesandshotel.co.nz/dining

05/06/2026

🔥 JOIN THE TEAM AT THE SANDS 🔥

We're looking for a talented **Chef de Partie** to join our kitchen team on a fixed-term contract.

If you have:
✅ 2+ years' commercial kitchen experience
✅ Experience across buffet, à la carte and banquet service
✅ Strong time management and organisational skills
✅ The ability to multitask and thrive in a fast-paced environment
✅ A positive attitude and team-first approach

We'd love to hear from you.

What we offer:
🏡 Accommodation included
🍽️ Work alongside a supportive and passionate team
🌊 Live and work in one of New Zealand's most beautiful coastal destinations
📅 Fixed-term opportunity – ideal for seasonal chefs or those seeking a lifestyle change

If you're ready to bring your skills to the stunning Hokianga, apply now or get in touch for more information. No sponsorship available, must be eligible to work in NZ.

📩 Send your CV to [email protected]