"Even I'm staying in Hamilton," said the chief executive of the motels association, Michael Baines. "My angel of a wife is driving us to the Eagles concert tomorrow night."
Mr Baines said New Plymouth and the South Island were also extremely busy at the moment, and the rush wasn't expected to let up until after Easter. "The advice is to book anywhere well in advance. The whole country is chocker."
Mr Baines said the rush was partly because of the many events going on around the country - Womad in New Plymouth this weekend, for example - but also a surge in international visitors, good weather and Kiwis feeling a little more affluent this year.
Eagles fan Shannon Felton, 28, said she and her partner, plus two other couples, had tried to book something months ago and failed.
"Everything at that point was already about $400 a night. We tried Bookabach and found one in Parnell, but eventually that fell through as well ... so we've ended up at a backpackers."
Ms Felton said they were going to stay in a six-bed room in the city for $60 each. "It's going to be kind of funny. Three couples in our bunk beds. School camp style."
Another Weekend Herald source said he baulked at the cost of a motel and was now staying with a "weird" relative instead. "Everything and everywhere from Albany down to South Auckland and Henderson to Howick is fully booked."
A Weekend Herald search of motels found Auckland City Oaks was the cheapest motel in the city listed last night, at $415 for a double.
VR Auckland Airport Kiwi, near the airport, was going for $400, although comments on TripAdvisor were not favourable and only 37 per cent of people would recommend it.
There were a number of options on alternative accommodation site Airbnb, however, including camping on a lawn in Mt Wellington, or renting a yacht in the Viaduct.
Places to stay
• $15 - Tent on a lawn in Mt Wellington (Airbnb). Close to Sylvia Park and if you really want they will let you sleep in your car.
• $30 - A bed in a six-bed dorm at Fat Cat Hostel. It's an ecological farm near Waitakere with solar showers and chickens.
• $890 - Stay on a yacht in the marina. (Airbnb) There's beautiful wooden joinery and the ocean will lull you to sleep.
• $665 - Lap up luxury at the Langham hotel. All guest rooms have a marble bath.
• $330 - Get away from it all completely at The Beach House on Kawau Island. No roads or cars but beautiful bird life.
No phones
Around 75,000 fans are due to attend the Eagles' two shows at Mt Smart Stadium this weekend but don't expect much visual evidence on social media afterwards.
At Australian shows, the band has insisted punters put away their smartphones.
Promoters say rain forecast for Sunday won't stop the second concert, unless high winds from Cyclone Pam become hazardous.
This is the fourth visit by the band, whose Their Greatest Hits (1971-75) album is the third biggest seller in music history. Their first New Zealand show was 40 years ago.
Guitarist Joe Walsh will stay on for a powhiri at the historic Otatara Pa site in Hawkes Bay.
