Health & Wellness In New Zealand

Shop our selection of the best Christmas gift ideas this side of the North Pole.

Welcome to the most fabulous corner of the internet—Urban List's destination for the picks of the beauty crop. This month, our fave haircare has a glow up, there's new scents galore, indie brands are having a *moment* and a new immersive beauty space. 

Urban sanctuaries, seaside soaks and apline retreats—these are the spots where you can finally give yourself the maximum relaxation you so deserve.

Walking is one of the best ways to make the most of the City of Sails. So grab some sturdy shoes, make use of the kauri dieback wash stations and get amongst the beautiful coastlines, stunning waterfalls, urban strolls and native bush.

No, it's not just you—eBikes are everywhere right now.

Euro summer FOMO hitting hard? Not on our watch. No, seriously, we’ve got our alarms set—and our city hitlists stacked—to pounce on the next suite of Singapore Airlines’ special fares for Europe 2026. 

Beyond Japan’s neon-soaked cities and 7-Eleven snack havens lies a world of unspoiled trails, steamy onsens, and wellness stays sure to transport you into a world of utter zen.

Pampering yourself doesn’t come much better than a sleek set of nails. 

We’ve taken the hard yards out of scoping out the very best massage places in Auckland, so that you can sit back and slip right into a state of bliss. Toodles, tension. 

Not only is yoga good for your body, but it also has amazing benefits for your mind too. In the busyness and craziness of life, taking up yoga is one of the best things you could do for your entire wellbeing.

Ready to get hot under the headphones? These are the best sex podcasts dishing out steamy stories, expert advice, and laughs to keep things extra satisfying.

Activewear is the holy grail of the wardrobe. 

Find your inner peace with the best meditation podcasts to stream now. Guided sessions, expert tips and soothing vibes. 

It's the time of year when we resolve to go harder, to be better, to move faster, and to get stronger—no wait, that might just be Daft Punk. In any case, here's our ultimate guide to Auckland's best gyms. 

Let's get one thing straight—pilates may be a great tool for rehab but that doesn't mean it's cruisy.

We’ve plucked, tinted and shaped our way to bring you the very best brow bars in Auckland. 

How Pairama Wright found connection to his Māori heritage through food, and the magic of a one-tin traybake.

Melitta Skin is making sunscreen a whole lot more user-friendly with a lightweight feel, no white cast and a four hour protection window. 

Tattoos are a universal art form used as a form of self-expression and tribute and as the world’s most tattooed nation, it's no surprise we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a tattoo studio in Auckland.

Given Aotearoa is perched on the Pacific Ring Of Fire, it's no wonder Kiwis have an affinity with hot water. How lucky we are then to have an almost endless supply of spots across the country to satisfy our need for a soak, be it a man-made hot pool or hot tub, or a natural hot spring.

Connection through fashion, nude bike shorts and finding your glow.

From the Smokefree Rockquest stage to the billboards of Times Square.

If you're in the market for endurance EDM, upbeat pop bangers or heavy-based rap when you need to dig deep on your next run or gym session, we’ve got the playlist to keep you hitting goals.

Everyone who’s anyone knows New Zealand will deliver when it comes to walking tracks, and the heart of Canterbury is certainly no exception. From your 30-minute morning run before work to a Sunday spent adventuring in the outdoors, Christchurch has it all. With spectacular views and plenty to get the blood pumping, I'm here to share the best walking tracks and trails of our suitably titled Garden City.

We all deserve a bit of relaxation time now and again, let’s face it. Tired? Needing a pick-me-up? Feel like treating yo'self? 

As the adage goes, if the zombie apocalypse comes after leg day, the ‘fittest’ will be the first ones to go. That said, when your survival odds rest on your ability to head for the hills (and actually make it there), it makes sense to put the leg work in today.

Although we may have reluctantly come to terms with the fact that we don’t possess the golfing prowess of Lydia Ko or Rory McIIroy, it doesn’t mean that we can’t enjoy an 18-hole game from time to time.

To help you glow in 2025, we’ve teamed up with the legends at Revlon to bring you a list of the latest and greatest beauty buys, books and fragrances to help you feel your best. 

Your guide to finding more soul-nourishing moments in 2025.

Forget the total routine overhaul, in 2025 we're making small changes that stack up to a better year. 

The warmer weather is here, and that means it’s the season for lavender to bloom. Here are the best farms across New Zealand where you can stroll amongst the fields, take a picture for the gram and pick your own lavender. Hot tip: pop a few flowers into your next glass of champagne.

One of the best things about Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is the fact that writing a list of the best beaches within a region is absolutely possible.

Bank balance not quite as abundant as you were hoping? Assets looking a bit... non-existent? We feel you—it isn't easy getting your finances in check but in this economy it's especially vital. Here's where to start. 

Myland & Co is a day retreat that's definitely worth forking out for. 

​Auckland is a mecca for hair salons and when it comes to choosing “the one”, selecting a hairdresser to entrust with your precious locks is a big freakin’ deal.

A rite of passage for many, we’ve got a tonne of descriptors for Gisbone’s Rhythm & Vines festival—namely, good vibes, good tunes and good company. This year we’re adding ‘healthy’ to that list (and we’re as surprised about it as you are). 

Activewear brand LSKD has just made its Aotearoa debut, opening a brick-and-mortar store in Takapuna which is kind of a big deal (goodbye shipping fees!). We caught up with LSKD ambassador, Lilz, for the lowdown on all the best pieces to add to our wardrobe. 

We’ve scoped the waterfalls around the city to bring you a list of the best in Auckland. Take a picnic!

Having just completed her very first marathon in The Big Apple, Meg Marshall is the young kiwi proving that a casual Friday jog and a bit of initiative can take you a long way. 

Summer has officially started which pretty much means three things: ice cream, cocktails and swimming.

Welcome to 2024, where advent calendars are as big of a deal for adults as they are for children, and filled with so much more than cheap choccy. We're talking beauty products, booze, and even treats for in the bedroom (there's a reason Santa has a naughty list).

To give you a taste of lush, effortless hair, this month Shark Beauty is showing off their best range of good hair day promising tools in an exclusive Newmarket pop-up. 

Who loves the salt, sand and sea more than us humans? Our furry best friends of course. That's why we've got to get them out and about at the most dog-friendly beaches in Auckland.

It’s a well-known fact that we here at Urban List love our pooches and so we’ve rounded up some of Auckland’s best dog-friendly parks because—let’s face it—your dog’s already peed on all the trees at your local. So, treat your pup and take them to the best dog parks in Auckland.

It’s not too late to rally the troops, or just yourself, to raise a bit of cashola for this totally worthy and far-too-close-to-home cause.

Consult any impassioned skincare enthusiast both IRL and on your for you page, and you’ll hear them name-drop Paula’s Choice.

Innovative fitness studio, Sala, has just launched a brand new studio. Meet: Chroma HIIT, a workout based on colour therapy. 

Taking your pup for a walk is all very well until you realise you’re in a park that’s a no-go for pooches. Talk about barking up the wrong tree. Luckily, there’s a whole lot of dog-friendly walks you can waltz along to your heart’s content, your fur baby by your side.

Whether you want to enjoy a picnic alfresco, go for a walk, watch the sunrise or sunset or just get away from it all, here are the top suggestions for reconnecting with nature and filling your wellness cup.

In the season known to wreak havoc on your skin and beauty rituals, it’s all about working smarter, not harder. Here are the holy-grailers to do the heavy lifting for your face, hair and body.

Here are 52 things to do in Auckland this winter that will (almost) distract you from missing summer.

Skincare is everywhere—these are the brands that actually work and the hero products that made them famous. 

Since jetting off to the tropics isn't even an option this summer, why not take some time to wander through the Abel Tasman and explore one of Aotearoa’s best landscapes. Grab your boots and your tramping buddy, and try out 10 of the best day tramps the Abel Tasman has to offer.

Swooning for a hooning? Feel the need for speed? Careen around the race track and leave your mates in the dust at one of Tāmaki Makaurau’s best spots for Go Karting.

At long last, women’s sport is taking centre stage and we are here. for. it. As we head into the cooler months, all eyes are on our Black Ferns and their highly-anticipated 2024 test calendar. 

Run clubs are gaining popularity and for good reason. Fitspo is dead—and real, authentic, cool breeze, crisp air, blood pumping, good-for-you activity is in. 

It would be LUBE not to.

We’ve done the research and these are all the best places to float in New Zealand. 

Grab your sunnies, slap on some sunscreen and make your pup’s day with one of these dog-friendly walks in Auckland.

The way we live can be taking a dramatic toll on our overall wellbeing.

New Zealand is one heck of a b-e-a-utiful place and as its people, it would be downright rude not to explore it. 

Get your boots on, carbohydrates packed and bring a positive headspace because you’ll need it—here’s everything you need to know before tackling the summit of Mount Taranaki.

With things the way they are out in the world, it's OK not to be OK right now.

We’ve rounded up our top picks for Auckland’s best barbershops, that will leave you looking a little less Shia Labeouf and a little more Ryan Gosling in no time.

Explore the volcanic heart of the Tongariro National Park on an epic one-day tramping adventure.

Explore the volcanic heart of the Tongariro National Park on an epic three to four-day tramping adventure.

Shaneel Lal, a Fijian-New Zealand writer, LGBT rights activist, and New Zealand's first-ever trans person to win Young New Zealander Of The Year, advocates for the preservation and amplification of queer stories in mainstream media, emphasising society's obligation to ensure a brighter and more inclusive future for the next generation of queer individuals.

If you’re anything like me, finding the motivation to bust your butt at the gym is not high on the priority list. Between working, studying and being a mum, I simply don’t have time to dedicate several hours to working out a each week.

If you’re reading this article, chances are you’re a) on a device, b) connected to the internet, and c) know your way around the wonderful world web. While it’s easy to take these factors for granted, it’s important to realise this isn’t a reality for a lot of New Zealanders. 

Whether you are wishing to cut down your alcohol intake or are looking to go completely teetotal, here are our favourite non-alcoholic tipples for all the times you’re after a refreshing and tasty beverage, sans hangover.

It’s that time of year again when every man and his dog take the solemn oath to give their bodies and brains a break.

If you’re anything like us, your resolution to get fit may seem like an uphill battle—literally. But here in the City of Sails, we’re lucky enough to be sitting on a whopping 53 volcanoes, and they all offer striking views of our wonderful city. 

Want to experience a ‘true’ winter this year? Luckily you don’t have to venture far to experience the gleeful joy of gliding on ice.

We thought we’d get some expert tips on how to add meditation to your daily routine, and what you should be doing when you finally sit down to clear your mind.

Here’s where to get the best eyelash extensions in Auckland.

For a chance to experience weightlessness and peace in your own blissful space, a flotation tank could be just right for you. If you're wanting to try it out, here's our guide to the best float tanks in Auckland.

Nothing beats the feeling of walking out of a salon with a fresh new ‘do and floating down the road with your confidence at a 10. 

February is just around the corner which means Valentine’s Day is too. And whether you celebrate it with your mates or a date, the day calls for special nights out with people you love. 

When your faith in humanity is yet to be restored, it means it’s time to throw your feet up and hit the best feel-good movies on Netflix.

Add some sparkle to your beauty lover's festive season. 

Forget choosing between naughty and nice this Christmas (it’s far too binary anyway) and dive into the pleasuredome with earth-shatteringly good sex toys for solo or two plus person play.

We're not going to bury the lead here—there's officially a skincare line based on shark bile.

Lo-fi hip hop is out, binaural beats are in. Get ready to drift into that Theta brainwave state.

Use World Mental Health Day as a chance to assess and improve your mental health.

Here is exactly what order you should be applying our skincare products. 

There’s nothing like a run in the sunshine to get you out of the house when you start feeling a little cooped up. So why not reset your fitness, get your mind firing on all cylinders and hit two birds with one fit stone all whilst practicing physical distancing.

We asked a psychologist for their advice on this challenging conversation.

Reading is a bullet-proof method for accepting stress, learning how to cope with it, and living happily ever after. 

She shares the everyday habits to implement that may increase your mental wellbeing from meditation and gentle exercise to putting your phone down.