3×3 m vs 3×6 m Pop Up Gazebos: Which Size Works Best for NZ School Events?

Across New Zealand, schools are increasingly investing in custom branded gazebos to create shade, shelter, and strong school branding at outdoor events. Whether it’s a sports day in Auckland, a gala in Wellington, or a kapa haka festival in Rotorua, a printed gazebo with the school name and colours helps students and parents quickly find their base and builds school pride. The most common sizes are 3×3 m and 3×6 m. Here’s how to choose the right size for your events.

Most Popular Outdoor School Events in NZ (Ranked)

1. Sports days and athletics carnivals
2. School galas and fundraising fairs
3. Outdoor assemblies and prize-givings
4. Kapa haka, choir, and cultural performances
5. Parent information evenings and open days
6. Outdoor science, art, or technology exhibitions
7. Inter-school sports competitions
8. Food stalls and sausage sizzles
9. School camps and outdoor education programmes

Event-by-Event Recommendations

1. Sports Days and Athletics Carnivals

Sports days are the number one reason schools buy gazebos. A custom printed 3×6 m gazebo is perfect for shading a full house team, and schools often order several in house colours. Custom printing ensures each house’s area is easy to spot from anywhere on the field.

2. School Galas and Fundraising Fairs

For individual stalls, a custom printed 3×3 m gazebo is ideal. Multiple units can be lined up for games, raffles, and sales booths. For the main gala stage or food area, step up to a custom printed 3×6 m aluminium gazebo for more space and durability.

3. Outdoor Assemblies and Prize-Givings

Provide shelter for staff, speakers, and award recipients with a custom 3×6 m gazebo printed with the school crest. This creates a formal, professional look for outdoor ceremonies.

4. Kapa Haka, Choir, and Cultural Performances

Performances benefit from wide, shaded areas. Two custom 3×6 m gazebos joined together can create a large performance space with printed branding visible from the audience area.

5. Parent Information Evenings and Open Days

Set up a welcome or enrolment booth with a custom branded 3×3 m gazebo. Add printed walls with key messages like “Enrolments Here” to guide visitors.

6. Outdoor Science, Art, and Technology Exhibitions

Protect student work from the wind with a 3×3 m custom gazebo and branded back walls. This also reinforces the school’s name and logo in photos.

7. Inter-School Sports Competitions

A custom 3×6 m sports gazebo serves as a team base for gear, coaches, and players. Printing the canopy with the school name makes your team area easy to find during busy tournaments.

8. Food Stalls and Sausage Sizzles

Choose a 3×3 m custom printed gazebo with full walls to create a safe, enclosed cooking space that meets food safety guidelines and looks professional.

9. School Camps and Outdoor Education

Use a custom branded 3×6 m gazebo as a camp HQ or meal prep area. The printed canopy helps students easily locate the meeting point, even in remote outdoor settings.

Key Takeaways

If your school can only purchase one gazebo, we recommend investing in a custom printed 3×6 m gazebo. It provides the most flexibility — enough room for sports teams, assemblies, and large gatherings — and can still be used for smaller events by adding printed walls or half-walls to divide space. This single investment will cover the majority of your school’s outdoor event needs for many years.

Explore our full custom branded gazebo collection and wall and accessory options to create a complete school event setup that looks professional and performs well in NZ conditions.