Two years ago, the Keating family spent Christmas at coastal golfing destinations Te Arai and Tara Iti, just outside Mangawhai, where the singer performed a private acoustic concert.
“It was just ridiculous. The surf is awesome, the sand dunes, the golf obviously, I mean, that’s why we were there,” he says.
“There’s this particular hole [at Tara Iti], and there’s a sand dune where the wind is just constantly blowing the sand. It’s almost like something from a film.”
Keating has close family connections to New Zealand. His Australian wife Storm’s mum is Kiwi and the family stayed at Te Arai Links for the Christmas trip, with two houses side by side on the golf course.
“I’m 50 next year and part of my wish list, which I’ve dropped with Storm, is that we go back to Tara Iti and Te Arai and have a knock, because it’s just heavenly. The place is incredible.”
Prego in Ponsonby. Photo / Babiche Martens
Favourite place to eat
Keating can’t go past Ponsonby for a great meal out.
“A friend of mine lent me his house down that way, and we spent a few days there last year,” he says.
As soon as he mentions one of his favourites is the “Italian place with the white wall around it”, we click that it’s Prego.
“Prego! Yes mate, smashed it. Prego’s a good little spot, I pop in there every time. I brought the kids the last time Storm and I were there, and Storm’s mum. We all spent about three or four nights in the area and went into Prego.”
Keating admits he’s a “bit of a coffee snob” and Ponsonby hits the mark, no matter where you get a brew.
“Spending my time in Australia [filming The X-Factor], I realised how important good coffee is,” he says.
“I downloaded all the different coffee apps, and anywhere you go in the world, the best coffee shops in the world are owned by Kiwis or Australians.”
Keating says he used to drink oat milk cappuccinos but has started avoiding dairy and milk alternatives, becoming a long black drinker instead.
“We have our La Marzocco [coffee machines], anywhere we go in the world. We’re very lucky we have a home in Dubai, a home in Sydney, a home in London, and we have our La Marzocco machines in all of them.”
He doesn’t discount Wellington for a good brew either.
“I mean, there must be more coffee shops than people in Wellington.”
The singer and his eldest son Jack. Photo / Instagram @ronankeating
Favourite New Zealand night out
Speaking of Wellington, for his rugby-mad son Jack’s 18th birthday, Keating organised a trip to New Zealand to follow the Lions tour.
“We knew the boys from the Hurricanes, the Barretts, so we popped down there, and we had a night in Wellington, watched a ‘Canes game [at Hnry Stadium], and had a night out with the lads,” he says.
“We finished when the sun came up, I remember that. Julian [Savea] was celebrating his 100th game, his 100th cap with the Canes, so it was a brilliant night.”
Silo Park. Photo / Supplied
Favourite family friendly place
As a dad of five, Keating often brings his family while on tour.
“In 2019, we went down to Silo Park in Auckland. It’s got the playground, but it’s also got this water feature, where the kids run through the water, and the water jumps up in the air. Anyway, Cooper [now 9] lost it, he just had the best time,” Keating says.
“It was a really great little atmosphere. There were great restaurants, and I did a show that night [at Spark Arena] with the boys – it was the Boyzone show.”
Keating laughs, remembering the location well because he was snapped by paparazzi while they were there.
“There are these photos of me, Storm, and Coops running around in this little playground.”
Ronan Keating was a huge hit at the Mission Concert. Photo / Warren Buckland
Favourite venue to perform
Keating has performed all over New Zealand and struggles to pick a favourite.
But he says whatever stage he’s on, Kiwi crowds are always some of his favourites.
He loves “the people and vibes” in Wellington, performing multiple times at TSB Arena and remembers a “really great night” at the Mission Estate Winery concert in Napier.
“There’s also Villa Maria by the Auckland Airport. I played there 20 years ago, and that was an amazing night, the atmosphere there was bloody brilliant.”
Keating paid tribute to Cantabrians, having performed a headline set at Selwyn Sounds festival last year.
“That was a great crowd, it was the cruisiest vibe, the sun was setting. It was a really cool atmosphere. You guys know how to chill out, relax and enjoy life, so I always enjoy coming back to New Zealand to perform.”
Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant. Photo / Supplied
Favourite ‘must-do’ activity
Besides our golf courses, Keating says every tourist should check out our world-class vineyards.
“Central Otago pinot noirs that are coming out are the best in the world. Anywhere I go in the world, I’ll order a Central Otago pinot,” he says.
“For me, going around, getting dropped off, having lunch in the vineyards, having dinners, going on wine tours, it’s just magical.”
He has a soft spot for Waiheke Island, with the now Michelin-starred Mudbrick a top contender for a great day out.
“We had a great lunch there,” he says.
Ronan Keating’s Just Getting Started World Tour plays Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch, on March 16 and Auckland’s Spark Arena on March 18. Tickets from ticketmaster.co.nz