Hey Stranger

No. Hard no. This is about making friends, not flirting. We’re here for new mates, not soulmates. If something romantic accidentally happens in the wild later, that’s your business, but it’s not what we’re organising.

At local Whangārei cafés. We don’t publish venues or dates publicly because events are curated based on who’s signed up. Once we’ve got a great group, we schedule a brunch and send out invitations.

It’s free to join and register. If you’re invited to a brunch and decide to buy a ticket, it costs $30 per brunch. That covers paying our host, planning, business overheads, advertising, and keeping the whole thing running smoothly. Food and drinks are pay-your-own at the café.

Usually 6–10 people. Big enough for variety, small enough that you don’t get lost at the table or have to shout over someone’s life story.

Carefully, and with a bit of help from both tech and humans. When you sign up, you answer a set of questions. We use those answers to guide our matching, part smart sorting, part human judgement. It’s not random, and it’s definitely not just an algorithm doing its own thing. Each brunch is curated so the mix feels balanced and natural. And if you come along again, you won’t be matched with the same table. Every invite is a fresh table with new people, so you’re not stuck repeating the same dynamic if it wasn’t quite your vibe the first time. In short: we pay attention, we mix things up, and we aim to give you the best chance of meeting people who you’ll actually enjoy spending time with.

No, and actually, this is just for you. Hey Stranger is designed for individuals, not pairs or groups. Everyone turns up solo, and that’s very much the point. Everyone at the table is there to meet new people, so no one’s the odd one out and no one arrives already “paired up.”

You’ll be in very good company. We keep groups small, the vibe relaxed, and we provide light conversation prompts so you’re not stuck making small talk or thinking of things to say. You don’t need to be “good at people” just be yourself.

That happens sometimes, and that’s okay. There’s no pressure to force friendships or swap numbers. Worst case, you still had a decent brunch and a few good laughs. Best case, you meet someone you’d actually like to hang out with again.

No. This isn’t a performance. You can talk, listen, laugh, or just enjoy your brunch. There’s no pressure to overshare or be “on” the entire time.

Because this takes real time, care, and work to do properly. Behind every brunch is planning, curation, admin, hosting, communication, and follow-up, plus the cost of running a website, marketing, and paying a host to be there on the day. We’re intentionally keeping this small, thoughtful, and well run, and that means it needs to be sustainable. The brunch ticket fee helps cover those costs so this isn’t rushed, under-resourced, or run on goodwill alone. It also means everyone at the table has chosen to be there, which keeps the experience respectful and enjoyable for everyone involved.

Yes, our brunches are a adults-only experience for people aged 18 and over. Our brunches are designed for adult conversation and social connection, so we keep them 18+ to make sure the environment feels comfortable, appropriate, and relaxed for everyone involved.

Totally fine. There’s no subscription, no obligation, and no pressure. You’ll only ever pay if you choose to attend a brunch by buying a ticket.

We take that seriously. This is a respectful, friendly space. If something doesn’t feel right, you can let us know, quietly and without drama, and we’ll handle it.

Nope. We host mixed-age and similar-age tables, depending on what people prefer. You can let us know what feels right for you when you sign up.

That’s okay too. You can join the list, have a look around the site, and decide later. No pressure, no chasing, just an open invitation when you’re ready.

No, Hey Stranger is an adults-only experience. These brunches are designed for adults to relax, connect, and have uninterrupted conversation. For that reason, children aren’t able to attend. We know childcare isn’t always easy, but keeping this adults-only is what makes the experience work for everyone at the table.