News and Views

What's New Auckland - Spring Edition

Auckland Tamaki Makaurau is gearing up for summer with a raft of new restaurants and public amenities coming our way.

The city has got a positive spring in its step following one of the warmest winters on record, new rooftop bars, upcoming festivals and a significant boost in CBD safety. Our food scene has even won a quirky international accolade this year!
Here’s our insider guide to what’s new and making the news: 

Where we’re drinking and dining next
Our clients always ask “where can we try Auckland’s best fish and chips’? Well, walk this way, because there’s a new spot downtown at Catch and Crisp Takeaway, Wynyard Quarter. 
Serving up fresh New Zealand seafood with an Asian twist, the menu includes tasty bites like crab dogs with nori-sesame dressing or Hong Kong style curry fish balls alongside traditional crumbed or battered fish fresh from the ocean. 

Nearby on Halsey Street, Little Italy has just opened its doors as the city’s newest Italian restaurant. With the pizza dough and pasta handmade on site and lunch options starting at $15, it’s targeting the wallet's sweet spot especially with Illy coffee, Italy’s best roast coffee brew. 

With an eye on mid-afternoon cravings, Auckland’s Little Culprit is promoting grazing platters for a sneaky snack alongside their extensive wine and cocktail menu. Take a perch at the bar next time you’re in town and enjoy a kaimoana platter of local oysters, sashimi, fish tartare cones and crayfish bisque dip with a side of agria potato crisps. Yumbo. 

Who will be crowned Auckland’s top restaurant?
The 50 finalists for Auckland’s Top Metro Restaurant of the Year 2024 have been announced with the major gongs awarded on 14 October. 
Central Auckland contenders in the top 50 (no doubt with their knives out) include: 
Newcomer Advieh (Hotel Intercontinental), Ahi in Commercial Bay, Alma, Apéro on Karangahape Rd, Bossi, Cassia, Gemmayze Street, Gilt, Gochu, Hello Beasty, Hugo’s Bistro, Kazuya, Metita (SkyCity Grand), Mr Morris, Onemata (Park Hyatt), Onslow, Origine, Pici, The Grove  and The Lodge.

And from the Strange but True files;
Aucklanders have been named the World’s Earliest Diners'' according to a survey by international food magazine Chef’s Pencil. Not the most desirable of international accolades but booking a table past 8.30pm (even on weekends), is a rarity with locals.  In fact, Auckland restaurants take the cake for the earliest ‘last orders’ in the world. 
So we suggest to visitors that they dine early, then make the most of their evening. Afterwards, take a walk or take in a show, head to a rooftop bar or in small towns, the local pub! Because if Aucklanders are deemed early diners, what time do folk in spots like Masterton or Methven eat? 

Take a bow Britomart
New Zealand’s first 5-greenstar rated hotel has been named New Zealand’s Best Hotel at the country's 2024 Hospitality Awards. Congratulations to the team at Hotel Britomart for this well-deserved recognition. With awesome restaurants, a thriving Saturday food and craft market, designer retail and the waterfront just a stone’s throw, it makes a great impression on our international visitors. 

New hotel alert
New Zealand’s first Moxy by Marriot is taking shape on Wakefield Street, with the 16-level build due to open late 2025.

Safer city, less gritty
The new police base in Federal Street (beside Sky Tower) is having a significant impact this year. With 51 officers now stationed in town on rolling shifts 24/7, this noticeably visible presence along with beefed up retail security,  has seen reported crime drop by one-third in the Auckland CBD and retail theft halve over the past 6 months. Making the city safer and more vibrant for everyone. 

Take a dip at Wynyard Point (pictured) 
At last, an open-air salt-water swimming pool will grace the central city waterfront.This summer, the tidal steps at Karanga Plaza will soon access a safe, multi-lane swimming pool complete with pontoons, right beside the Park Hyatt at North Wharf.  This will be a fantastic addition for both locals and visitors to enjoy a refreshing dip in the heart of the city.

Team Aucky Walky are rearing to go
We’re gearing up for an exciting season of sharing our city on foot with Auckland’s visitors. As professional guides, it’s our job to keep abreast of changes so we can provide genuine recommendations on where best to eat, drink and go. We are the walking concierge of the city!

Which is why Tourism NZ and Tataki Auckland engaged us to host famils over winter for their high-value agents from North America. 
It’s our mission to help first-time visitors find their feet and enjoy their Auckland stay.

Here’s how Gaye, a recent Aucky Walky guest summed up her private family tour with us: 

“It was the perfect introduction to this fascinating city! We learned about the history, landmarks and really useful information…there were even treats along the way. Our guide Debbie was engaging and informative, it felt like a friend showing us around’. 

Meet your Aucky Walky Team here and please join us on tour soon. 
Ka kite ano hoa. See you later friends.

If you’re coming to Auckland with your family then we’re the best place to start. Our Hello Auckland tour reveals the legends of Auckland, the local lanes, best spots to eat and the kid-friendly parks -  all at a relaxed pace.  We’ve shown heaps of kids around town on our boredom-free and laugh-filled tours.

We’re parents too so here’s a handful of suggestions for the best things to do Auckland-wide,  both free and paid, which we enjoy doing with our children.   
Disclaimer:  The author is not responsible for any whinging of “I’m bored” or “can we go now?” at any of the following activities.   

Picnic in Myers Park, Auckland’s CBD
If Charlie and the Chocolate Factory had a playground it would look like this. Nestled in the green valley of Myers Park, this funky-coloured kids’ space features fantail sculptures, climbing frames and a giant basket swing.  Hard to believe it’s in the heart of Auckland’s business district. Avoid the park during lunch hour if you want the place to yourself as the nearby school uses it on sunny days and you’ll have to stand in line for a swing. Grab a pizza or kebabs from Queen Street and picnic in the park while the kids play. 

Picnic supplies from Scarecrow Cafe, Auckland  CBD 
With lunchtime queues out the door and a counter cabinet groaning with wraps, salads to go and home-style baking, this popular cafe is a must-visit.  The bonus is its park  side location. Grab your picnic supplies and head up the hill to picturesque Albert Park, the highest point in the city centre. Spread a rug out under one of the stunning Jurassic-like trees and enjoy a relaxing lunch alfresco.  

The Escape Masters on Queen Street, Auckland CBD.
Looking for one of the best wet weather activities in Auckland?  No problem. Unless you get into a heated argument over indecipherable clues with your teenager.  The Escape Masters offer a range of fun-themed cells like the Gangsters or Alien Abduction rooms to break out of.  In order to ‘escape’, you are required to problem solve and crack a series of puzzles as well as logical mind games while utilizing a wide array of technology to decipher codes and locks, all the while racing against the clock!  Whew, who knew family game time could be so challenging?

The Volcano House at the Auckland Museum
If your kids are interested in volcanoes, shakes and quakes then head for the excellent exhibit at the Auckland Museum. Sit in the living room of a purpose- built house as a TV newsreader reports the imminent build-up to a volcanic eruption. Watch the action unfold across the harbour as the ash and debris heads towards your home. Feel the impact of the earth shaking below your feet. This simulation will captivate budding geologists and anyone interested in New Zealand’s unique landscapes.

Rangitoto Island
If you are feeling bit more adventurous, take a day trip over to Auckland’s iconic Rangitoto Island. New Zealand’s youngest volcano offers incredible 360-degree views. Walk the one-hour summit track through forest and lava fields while taking in natures beauty. Or if you have little ones in tow, hop on the guided 4WD road train to the top. 
   
Fishing under the Harbour Bridge
To view fish, penguins and sharks in spectacular underwater viewing tanks, you could visit Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium along the waterfront, east of the city. Or you could head 10 minutes west, pick up a couple of cheap handlines and bait at a local marine store and try catching a fish or two for yourself.  Park up under the Harbour Bridge alongside the local recreational fisherman and cast a line while admiring the channel views and listening to the terrified yells of the Bridge bungy jumpers.  And yes, there’s a good chance you’ll catch a good-sized keeper, although it needs to be longer than 27cm under New Zealand fishing regulations.

Rainbow’s End
Auckland’s not known for its theme parks, but Rainbows End is popular with families and kids aged under 15.  Based down the Southern Motorway, you can race, swoop, crash and splash on rides like the Log Fume, Stratosphere and the Corkscrew Coaster. Afterwards if your stomach can handle it, pop across the road to the Manukau mall to eat at the local food court.    

Wynyard Quarter
This re-energised space provides something for the whole family. Filled will salvaged materials, a basketball court and a great sand floor, the kids will love the funky maritime-themed play space. Or feed the family by dining at one of the many sea-side restaurants or grab a budget fishy bite from the local Auckland Fish Market. 
On summer weekends, Silo Park is bustling at night with its outdoor cinema (a must-do experience in Auckland). The night markets are filled with an array of nibbles for the kids, along with cool vintage clothing and contemporary art from local Aucklanders - a great pit stop on route to the outdoor cinemas. 

Western Springs Park
With Auckland Zoo and the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) as its neighbour,  Western Springs is the ideal place to unwind with it's serene lake, gliding swans and popular playground. 

Auckland Zoo
After strolling through Western Springs, take a visit to Auckland’s premier zoo. With everything from brown kiwis to elephants to the fur seal, this sanctuary has the largest number of native and exotic animals in New Zealand. The zoo s sprawled across 17 hectares of parkland - providing plenty of space for its fauna to roam in attractive habitats. 

Auckland Zoo is the best place to spot our local and famous flightless bird, the Kiwi. A proud supporter of the Department of Conservations Kiwi recovery programme - Operation Nest Egg. Witness the programme in full operation as rescued eggs from the endangered brown kiwi are able to hatch and grow in a predator-free environment. Once they have grown and are strong enough they are released back into the wild.
Every visit helps secure a future for wildlife in the zoo, New Zealand and abroad.

City Swimming Pools
The Tepid Baths - 100 Customs Street West
An iconic part of Auckland history for over 100 years, ‘The Teps’  is now a sleek, modern swimming complex better suited to families with older kids.
The Parnell Baths - 25 Judges Bay Road
Aucklanders have been enjoying The Parnell Baths each summer for over a century. The big pool at 60 metres, is the largest saltwater pool in the country.  The interactive aqua playground makes it a great day out for the kids. 

Still looking for ideas? Contact us for a custom private tour covering all the things kids love. An ice cream stop, tree-climbing, bookstores or water features - the choice is yours!  Or check out specialist website Auckland for Kids or send us an email with questions. 

Best lamb Auckland please? Auckland’s Best Beef and Lamb Restaurants

New Zealand is renowned for its grass-fed farm fare and a question we often get asked is ‘where are the best lamb restaurants Auckland-wide?' The New Zealand Beef and Lamb Excellence Awards 'Gold Plate' recognizes the city chefs transforming tender cuts into lip-smacking fine cuisine.

As a taster, imagine eye-fillet steak served with beetroot, shiitake mushrooms, hollandaise and duck fat chips.  Or a rack of lamb accompanied by kumara toast, mint sauce, and creamy lemon-infused yoghurt.

If you’re a meat lover, look for the restaurants displaying the Beef and Lamb Excellence Award proudly on their wall.  It’s here you can expect tasty, skillfully composed and superbly presented beef and lamb dishes.

Otherwise, check out our list of the best beef and lamb restaurants Auckland has to offer. 

Past Auckland Beef and Lamb Excellence Winners:

Cibo Parnell - Parnell

Soljans Estate Winery - Kumeu

Gilt Brasserie - Central Auckland

Giraffe - Central Auckland

Smokin' Cole BBQ - Central Auckland

Oyster and Chop - Central Auckland

Regatta Bar & Eatery - Takapuna 

Jervois Steakhouse - Herne Bay

Pilkingtons - Central Auckland

Ampersand Eatery - Central Auckland

Bracu - Bombay

Rothko - Matakana

Plume Restaurant - Matakana

Mudbrick - Waiheke Island

Casita Miro - Waiheke Island

Tantalus Estate - Waiheke Island 

Our Taste Auckland walking tour includes recommendations on the top spots to eat, shop and go. So bon appetit and put your best foot forward as our small-group or private walking tours are the best place to start.

Source: Restaurant Hub Dec'19

Best Things to Do Parnell: Eat, Shop,Art 

One of the best things to do in Auckland is to take a leisurely wander through Parnell village, Auckland’s heart of art, style and colonial architecture. Spend a day browsing its gorgeous art galleries, upmarket boutiques and cute back streets lined with Victorian-era cottages. Here’s a roundup of the best Parnell Art Galleries, plus patisserie and pizza spots, gift stores, street art and more!

Parnell for Art Lovers
A walk along Parnell Rise provides a moving art show of top New Zealand painters, potters, artisan jewellers, glassblowers, sculptors and greenstone artists. With seven art galleries in a short stretch, this is where Aucklander’s browse for that special piece of art to complete their new home, or for a coveted piece of custom jewellery. 

The highly regarded Artis curates thought provoking artworks by some of New Zealand’s leading artists while the Black Door Gallery, nestled in a charming historic villa, presents a beautiful and ever-changing selection of statement paintings, sculpture, ceramics, lighting, glass and jewellery. The longstanding Parnell Gallery regularly exhibits contemporary artists in their large and airy space. While a visit to the Alvin Pankhurst Gallery, might find the artist himself hanging his latest piece to feature famous historical Maori carvings in stunning New Zealand landscapes.
Keep an eye out too for landmark sculptures on Parnell Rise, each with a story to tell like the well-known Terry Stringer Mountain Fountain, outside the stunning Holy Trinity Cathedral. Or the large and illuminated revolving plinth outside the Jonathan Grant Galleries, which profiles different outdoor sculptures. 

Best Maori and Pasifika art: Kiwa Art
One of the top Parnell attractions is speciality gallery Kiwa Art. They focus exclusively on indigenous M?ori artists with an emphasis on the lineage and significance behind each piece. Each treasure (or taonga) come with a unique story of its own, which the friendly and knowledgeable owners will readily share. The gallery is refreshed often with new carvings, rare Oceanic pieces, pounamu (greenstone), rare books and even delightful vintage finds. If you’re keen to gift greenstone to a special someone, then head here as the pieces range from downright exquisite to the small and affordable. 

Auckland War Memorial Museum and the Domain Sculpture Walk
Possibly Australasia’s best neo-classical building and one of the most popular Parnell attractions, the Auckland Museum displays colonial and M?ori art plus works from private collections. Along with a large dose of New Zealand history and shaky island geology. Join a guided tour to experience a Maori culture performance by the local iwi/tribe Ngati Whatua, which kicks off with a spine-tingling Haka or challenge. Afterwards, enjoy harbour views from the grassy knoll of a long-dormant volcano and follow the Auckland Domain Sculpture Walk for eight impressive sculptures by leading New Zealand artists, like Fred Graham and Greer Twiss.

Parnell's best restaurants 
Walking and gawking enviously at art can whet up an appetite so luckily the best places to eat in Parnell are nice and handy. Stop and refuel with a glass of wine and lunch at local favourites, Non-Solo Pizza, Di Vino’s or La Porchetta. For a quick bite, grab a homestyle treat from the heaving food counter at Winona Forever or a delicious Parisian- style pastry at Vaniyé, which attracts Aucklanders from far and wide.
  
Parnell’s Best Gift Shop
Leave this spot for last as the credit card could get blasted. The Fantail Shop is the perfect destination for last-minute gift shopping, with its extensive range of ‘Made in NZ’ ceramics, crafts, homewares, fashion and affordable art, all locally sourced from over 140 clever and creative New Zealanders. 

There’s so much to see and do in Auckland besides browsing Parnell. Discover the inner city on our Hello Auckland walking tour where we'll share the best places to see, eat and do. Or check out our free Auckland travel guides to Auckland's best restaurants or rooftop bars. 

All rights reserved @auckywalky

Eating out: Best New Zealand Restaurants 

Who do New Zealanders' turn to for dining inspiration? The annual Metro restaurant guide of course. From newcomers to trusty favourites, the Metro judges - made up of food writers, critics and hospitality experts - chomp their way through the country's best restaurants to determine which contenders cut the mustard for the crown of 'best restaurants Auckland' and beyond. Including the best lamb restaurants New Zealand-wide.

Over the last twenty years, New Zealand chefs have developed a style of cooking often described as Pacific Rim. Many have sharpened their skills in Michelin-starred restaurants internationally. Their recipes blend the best New Zealand ingredients - our juicy lamb, beef, seafood and venison with pan-Asian and European-influenced flavours. This, combined with an emerging farm (or fish) to the fork ethos, creates a fascinating lineage for contemporary New Zealand food. All with a dollop of innovative local growers, farmers and intrepid fishing folk serving up the main ingredients.

So is there such a thing as a truly ‘New Zealandesque’ restaurant ?  We’re pleased to shout “yes!” 

Here's our round up of the best Auckland restaurants which regularly make the cut in the city's 'top 50 best restaurants Auckland'. Plus a selection of top restaurants nationwide.  

Bon appeitit!

Flavours of Aotearoa NZ 

• Ahi - Commercial Bay
• Culprit - Wyndham  St 
• Mr Morris - Galway St, Britomart
• Depot - Sky City
• Metita - SkyCity
• Tala - Parnell
• Kingi - Britomart
• Gilt - O'Connell St

French - European/Fine Dining

• The Grove - Saint Patrick's Square, Wyndham St
• Anise, Symonds St
• SidArt - Ponsonby Rd
• Origine - Commercial Bay

Pan Asian Fusion

• Hello Beasty - Viaduct Habour
• Cafe Hanoi -  Britomart - Vietnamese
• Kazuya -  Symonds Street, Eden Terrace - European with Japanese Influence.
• Gochu - Commerical Bay  - South Korean inspired

Italian/Spanish - Mediterranean

• Alma - Tyler St, Britomart 
• Amano - Tyler St, Britomart
• Apero - Karangahape Rd
• Advieh - Hotel Intercontinental
• Ortolana - Britomart

The range of cuisines mirrors Auckland' s make-up as one of the most multicultural cities in the world. Around 200 different nationalities call this cosmopolitan hot spot home. 

Rest of North Island

• Palate - Hamilton
• Embra - Taupo
• Craggy Range - Hawkes Bay
• Koji - Wellington
• Graze - Wellington
• Capitol - Wellington

South Island

• Amisfield - Queenstown
• Rata - Queenstown
• Blue Kanu - Queenstown
• Kika - Wanaka
• 5th Street - Christchurch
• Inati - Christchurch

Walk with us to discover our 'best places to eat Auckland' list which we update every season.  The best cafes, rooftop bars and central city delis. Or book a private walking tour and join us for lunch!  Discover also the major Auckland attractions you don't want to miss on our top-rated Auckland walking tours.

All rights reserved @auckywalky 2024