News and Views

Once upon a time, it was the seat of New Zealand government. Now one of Auckland’s last grand old arcades, Saint Kevins is up for sale by an ex-Shortland Street star. While its future is unclear, its past reveals a treasure trove of city secrets.  

Here’s five little-known facts about Saint Kevins Arcade, one of Auckland’s most loved heritage buildings.

1. The current owner is a property development company associated with former Shortland Street star and Rubicon musician, Paul Reid, who played troubled teen Marshall Heywood on Shortland Street from 2001 to 2004.  

2. The site was once  home to the Nathan family, who went onto create a retail and brewing dynasty in New Zealand - remember LD Nathan, owners of DDDDeka and Woolworths?  Scoria House was built in 1845 on the site of Saint Kevins for Jewish merchant David Nathan.  Nathan chose the site for its sea views and peaceful solitude from the new Auckland  settlement.  The house was constructed of local volcanic stone or scoria when most buildings were made of wood.

3. Saint Kevins was once the seat of New Zealand's’ government from 1848 to 1851.   Sir George Grey commandeered the homestead as Government House when Auckland was under threat from Nga Puhi Maori in the North. Grey suspected that Nga Puhi would attack from the harbour so wanted to ensure a good vantage point if the threat eventuated.

4. During the period of the New Zealand Wars, 1857-65, the site  was occupied by General Sir Duncan Cameron, Commander of the British Forces in New Zealand. Later when used as the officers’ mess of the Royal Irish Regiment it became known as St Kevens.

5. Saint Keven was an Irish saint in the 6th century who had a spiritual connection with nature.  It’s fitting that the current arcade built in 1924 overlooks Myers Park, one of central Auckland’s prettiest spaces which still bursts with birdsong over the surrounding construction noise.   

Today a newly renovated Saint Kevins is a quirky mix of eateries, boutiques, bookstores and a creative magnet for artists and musicians. It plays host to sketch clubs, pre-dawn dance classes and city commuters. Aucky Walky’s Hello Auckland Tour includes a walk through this special Karangahape Road spot.

Let’s hope the new owner will preserve the historic legacy and looks of Saint Kevins so Aucklanders and visitors alike can enjoy its charms for many years to come. Perhaps the last word is best left to local historian Edward Bennett.  

“Saint Kevins Arcade is an unusual space – it has developed a cultural following which few other places can claim. Certainly no other building in central Auckland has the resonance which is a feature of this place”

Everyone loves a bargain right?  It’s something both locals and visitors to Auckland share in common.

Visitors especially want to make their dollar stretch further as the cost of getting here can set them back thousands of dollars. New Zealand is marketed internationally as a high-end destination.  It’s about quality not quantity, wide open spaces over rat races and even our newly anointed Minister of Tourism, the honorable Paula Bennett was recently quoted as saying “ we don’t mind being seen as expensive, just as long as we’re not a rip-off.”  

Well here’s eight local tip-offs to avoid the rip-offs.  Ideas on how to get more bang for your buck in the city of sails (and sales). Not that we’re cheapskates or anything!

1. Free WIFI.  The bane of any traveler’s life is the fickleness of WIFI in hotels and the prices they charge for staying connected. Luckily central Auckland has free WIFI hotspots so head for North Wharf, Queens Wharf, Britomart,  Aotea Square or McDonald's to get your data fix.  

2. Grab One and Groupon.  This discount site has special deals ranging from 40-50% off with a big emphasis on food and leisure activities.  It’s the first post of call for Kiwi’s looking for a bargain. You’ll find three-course meals, dolphin excursions, zip lining on Waiheke, even white water rafting deals all at heavy discounted prices off original retail. Groupon’s  deals stay up longer so no need to worry about run-out or expiry dates. It’s the number one deal site in Australia and growing here in NZ

3. Lunch like a local.  Many of Auckland’s top restaurants are heavily booked at night but slash prices to encourage lunch-time trade. Award winning Cibo offer three courses for $49, Merediths has a great lunch time deal with a Friday four course degustation for just $65. They even throw in a glass of Tattingers Champagne as a sweetener. If lunch on the go is your thing, then head for Amano’s bakery in Tyler Street for upmarket tartine and great coffee. Or the Dumplings Store on the corner of Lorne and Wellesley Street - look for the locals’ queuing.

4. Art in the heart.  Unlike many other major cities, the Auckland Art Gallery is free. That’s right, you can delve into Toi E Tamaki, Auckland’s Treasure house for nix. Even the architecture of the building itself is a wonder to behold. Lose yourself here on a wet Auckland day.  

5. Grab the locals' bus. For a mere $1 coin, you can jump on the CityLink loop bus and get from Wynyard Quarter up Queen Street to vibrant K’Road, Auckland’s vintage and retro shopping capital. Great views and no static tour bus commentary in your ear.

6. Haircut anyone?  Even visitors need a pamper and trim while traveling. So the Servilles Training Academy on Queen Street is a great local secret. Just $15 for a wash and blow dry. Or ban those greys with a cheeky colour from just $41. All the trainees are fully supervised.

7. Exercise classes.  If you feel like a stretch without breaking the bank,  drop into the free yoga or running classes at Lululemon stores - downtown Auckland or Ponsonby Road.  Or download Nike’s free fitness app Nike+Training Club for a mix of workout routines. Or grab your trainers and head down to Britomart’s Nike Store to join their free run club every  Wednesday at 5.30pm. Sweat with the locals plus you won’t get lost!

8. Free Coffee Fridays.  According to Auckland’s Heart of the City, streetwear label  Huffer serves up free piping hot Allpress coffees every Friday morning from 7.30am - 10.30am at their store on 12 Custom Street, Britomart. Now that sounds like the ultimate way to start your Auckland day.

Here’s what Auckland’s property developers don’t want you to know.  

The city is full of hidden shortcuts, rooftop gardens and viewing platforms which are required to be accessible to the public. In the past, property developers made public space concessions with Auckland Council in return for bonus floor space.  But very few records of these concessions have been kept and a lack of policing meant some developers were not meeting their end of the bargain.  Some of the publicly required walk ways and short cuts are not clearly signed meaning most Aucklanders are blind to their existence.

So at Aucky Walky we’ve snooped and scoped out what we believe are five little-known hidden gems - selected for their views or time-saving shortcuts, when walking from A to B.   

1. Most secret alleyway?  Cruise Lane - connecting Shortland Street with Chancery Plaza.  Who knew this little through-lane existed?  We didn’t and found it one day by happy accident.  It’s a narrow ‘suck-in-your-tummy’ passageway  which links Shortland Street to Chancery Street and the serene shopping Plaza beyond. It looks a bit dodgy even in daylight but once you’re in it, you realise it also connects with the O’Connell Street laneway and the lobby of a major office block.  Maybe one to avoid at night.

2. Best city views?  Rooftop Garden at 56 Wakefield Street.  Previously Oracle House, now home to AUT School of Tourism.  Just enter the lobby and take the lift to the 17th floor (Monday to Friday) for some of the best ‘free’ views of downtown Auckland.  It’s a great place to snooze, sunbake, have a picnic and take selfies. When we visited, we had the place to ourselves. Surprise and delight your mates or family next time you’re in town as it’s just up the hill from the Aotea Centre.

3. Best harbour views? The public viewing platform at the Hilton Hotel.  Yes that’s right. This five star international hotel agreed, as part of its planning consent,  to provide  public access to the end of the wharf.  So the Hilton built us lucky Aucklanders a public sundeck.  

4. Best uphill avoidance?  The Lumley Centre - from Fort Street to Shortland Street.No need to walk uphill from the flat terrain of Fort Street, especially if you’re enjoying a mega icecream from Giapo.  This is a huge time saver for university students and avoids a detour up a steep hill.  Also keeps you dry in the rain.  Nice one!

5. Best  art?  The lobby at the Vero Centre is required to be  open to the public as  the developer was granted “CBD Bonus space’ when building the property.  The lobby is decorated with artworks including a hugely impressive ‘living legends’ wall  that not many know about.  Just be mindful that no photography is allowed and the security, while polite, were quick to ask our intentions!  But you have every right to stand in the lobby and take in the creative surrounds.

So among the hustle and bustle of Auckland, there’s a wealth of hidden treasures that reside down the lane ways and on rooftops of our spectacular city.  Book a guided walking tour with Aucky Walky to find out more.