An outsider’s inside guide to Auckland

Learn why Emily has no plans to live anywhere other than Auckland, New Zealand.

Smart moved.

When I moved to Auckland in 2007, I arrived with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. I was six-months pregnant with twins and my daughter was a 21-month old toddler. My partner – who had secured a job at the University of Auckland Business School – had travelled to New Zealand ahead of us, in order to find a rental property. Everything we owned was packed into a container and had set sail for the other side of the world.  

And here we are 12 years later, and I can honestly say I have never regretted making the move. I love it! The people are friendly, the weather is great (in the summer months), there is a good work-life balance, outdoor life is very much a part of everyday life and the kids have space to be kids. 

We are now very much ensconced in the Kiwi-way of life and I call Auckland home. It’s a huge sprawling, diverse, multicultural and cosmopolitan city. While travel guides focus on the big attractions (most of which are worth a visit), the joy of Auckland is that there is always something new or different to see or do, whether you’re a local, an ex-pat or a tourist. 

If you do make the smart move, then make sure you visit one or more of my five favourite places to go in Tāmaki Makaurau. You’ll meet the locals and discover another side to the city. 

Parakai Springs.

Head northwest out of the city centre for just over 40 minutes and you’ll find the delightful and slightly old-fashioned Parakai Springs. If you’re moving to New Zealand, let me introduce you to one of the most quintessential Kiwi activities, a day at the hot pools.  

Parakai Springs has two large natural geothermal pools that are excellent for a fun-packed family day out. The outdoor pool is naturally heated to 32°C and is perfect for kids whether it’s sunny, overcast or even raining. There are two hydroslides, a café with fantastic hot chips and an indoor pool which is maintained at a temperature of 40°C. 

What do you do at the hot pools? Relax and float in warm water people-watching. Parakai attracts a mixture of people from all age groups, ethnicities and walks of life. The atmosphere is laid-back, and you often find generations of families lazing around, chatting and playing with their children. Many families come prepared for the whole day and set up around barbecues with chilly bins full of wonderful looking food – watching them prepare and cook the food is fascinating, and I always wish I was invited to enjoy the meal. 

While the concept of sitting in a large bath with strangers didn’t immediately appeal, it wasn’t long before I embraced my inner Kiwi and literally went with the flow. If you’re up for a family day out, don’t forget to pack your togs (what Kiwi’s call swimwear).  

Karangahape Road.

Where do I begin with this well-known street in the city centre? Affectionately called K’ Road, I truly believe this is a place that doesn’t compare with anywhere around the globe. Once the centre of the red-light district (don’t let that put you off), the one-kilometre strip has an eclectic bunch of boutiques and secondhand shops, bars, clubs, restaurants, apartments, Asian supermarkets and more. There’s an equally eclectic bunch of people that frequent this bustling area. It’s a little bit edgy (for Auckland) and full of life. 

Often the place that everyone heads to when the rest of the city has gone to sleep, K’ Road seems to have a life of its own. Karangahape Road is buzzing at all hours of the day and night. You can see clubbers heading home after a night out as you read the Sunday morning papers in any one of the many cafés. During the day, businesses operate on or around the street and you really are spoilt for choice when it comes to eateries. K’ Road boasts every cuisine from around the world and there’s a menu to suit everyone, from expensive through to budget tastes, whether you’re a vegan or a meat eater. Here you’ll find karaoke bars, pubs with pool tables, dancefloors, late night take-aways, the list goes on.

Add some colour into your life and spend time exploring Auckland’s coolest street. 

Smiths Bush Reserve.

If you want to discover a Kiwi bush walk in the city then head to Smiths Bush Reserve. Travel over the Harbour Bridge by bus or car to just off Northcote Road and enjoy a relaxing elevated boardwalk which runs in a loop. It’s hard to believe you are so close to the city centre in this dense forest canopy that provides shade from the sun and rain.  

Suitable for dogs (on a lead), pushchairs and wheelchairs, this short easy walk lets you take in beautiful native plants and trees, while listening to bird song. It’s an easy escape from the stress of everyday life, and it’s still relatively undiscovered. 

Bethells Beach.

Bethells Beach is another day trip excursion that’s popular with surfers, families, couples and dogs. Located 37 kilometres from central Auckland on the West Coast, Bethells Beach has what can only be described as one of New Zealand’s most stunning vistas. With views out to the majestic and powerful Tasman Sea, the sunsets here are spectacular. No matter what time of year it is, you can’t help but kick off your footwear and walk barefoot in the sand. 

During the summer months, a converted truck is home to the Bethells Café. The owners make a decent cup of coffee (incredibly important to practically every Aucklander) and their veggie burgers and cinnamon brioches are legendary. Sit back with your coffee and enjoy the scenery, a world away from the busyness of city life. 

Waiheke Island.

You can’t move to Auckland and not take a trip to Waiheke Island. Passenger and car ferries leave regularly from Auckland, with one service taking 40 minutes to arrive, while another a more leisurely 1 hour 20 minutes.  

Waiheke is 19.3 km in length from west to east, and is home to just under 10,000 permanent residents, many of who make the daily commute to central Auckland to work. The island is very hilly and has a slightly warmer climate than the main part of Auckland, with less humidity and rain and more sunshine hours.  

There is plenty to do on Waiheke, with several beautiful beaches, a gorgeous coastline that is a swimmer’s paradise, and around 30 wineries. If you like good food and wine, then Waiheke has it all. Wineries offer tasting rooms, restaurants, cafés and breath-taking views.  

Getting around the island is easy on foot, by bus or local taxi. The lifestyle is easy going and laid- back, and there is plenty of overnight accommodation if you happen to miss your ferry. Once you visit Waiheke, you will want to return, again and again. 

Emily Smart moved to Auckland in 2007 with her family. She currently has no plans to live anywhere else.

We look forward to welcoming talent back to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. The New Zealand Government’s plan is to safely reopen our borders in stages, allowing people to travel to and from Aotearoa New Zealand. Visit immigration.govt.nz to find out what this means for you.