The A-List

It's the most wonderful time of the year—for pets as much as humans. 

It’s the festive season—or should I say feastin’ season—and if you’re a bit of a sweet tooth who cares more for the pav station than ham this Christmas, read on. 

Working smarter, not harder goes way beyond hacks for meetings that should have been an email: it turns out that it works a treat for Black Friday sales too.

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. 

From rolling valleys to dense native forest and cliffs overlooking black sand beaches, we've found the most jaw-dropping Airbnbs across New Zealand that you can book for a getaway.

Quaint streets, sparkling harbour views, and a vibe so chill you'll toss up selling everything you own and never returning home: Here's your essential 2025 guide on where to eat, play, and stay in lovely old Akaroa.

You’ve made it—the weekend’s here and she’s a vibe.

As per usual, mighty Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is pulling out all the stops. Here’s what’s on in Auckland this week, this month, and this year. 

Roll up, roll up. It’s time for this week’s New Zealand food news. Hot off the press (or should we say, toastie press) are all the tasty tidbits you need to know. 

Buckle up—here’s our hit list of New Zealand spots where the journey and the destination both steal the show.

Queenstown is famous for its jaw-dropping landscapes, and while the Great Walks get all the hype, there are plenty of other incredible trails that deserve a spot on your to-do list.

In Te Waipounamu's (South Island) largest city, a quiet transformation is unfolding. Ōtautahi Christchurch's dining scene is redefining New Zealand gastronomy—rooted in resilience post-earthquake, regional produce, and a new generation of chefs who are rewriting the rules.

Your go-to guide for maximising your time on-board.

Along with the balmy days, summer brings its fair share of unique situations. The same goes for summertime snacking.

‘Tis the season for festive frivolities, gloriously subpar Christmas movies and strategic consumption of electrolytes. Plus, the iconic snap with Santa, of course. Here are the best Santa photo locations in Auckland. 

We’ve uncovered a luxurious lineup of local road trips that feel like a slice of Italy, the Alps and beyond.

More time and energy to focus on the bigger hauora (wellbeing) picture.

Okay, so we both know he's going to say "nothing" or "just whatever" or "I don't mind not doing prezzies this year". Or some other good-hearted but, nonetheless, unhelpful nonsense that leaves you scrolling through endless manosphere slop. Blokes are just about the hardest people to buy for. The only people that are harder are Kiwi blokes. That's why I've compiled the ultimate list of NZ gifts for the man in your life this Christmas.

To make things easy for you, we’ve created this list of the best places to buy your Christmas tree this year—now you have no reason to procrastinate!

Finding a restaurant to eat at in Auckland on Christmas Day isn't always easy (the phrase 'needle in a haystack' springs to mind). Well never fear, 'cos we've done the hard yards for you and found out who's open to play host this year so you can sit back, relax and make merry while someone else does all the work.

Nothing has us feeling more festive than a completely over-the-top display of Christmas lights—this is definitely a case of the more the merrier! Lucky for us Aucklanders, a decent dose of holiday twinkle is never far away.

We love a good market, especially one with the word 'Christmas' attached! So hop in the car, crank up the Mariah (your secret's safe with us) and head along to one of these incredible Christmas markets coming to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland this holiday season.

From locally-sourced produce to award-winning wines—it’s time to put Aotearoa under the spotlight, showcasing the magic that happens when multi-cultural culinary creativity meets incredible produce grown in Aotearoa soil. 

The term ‘Mother Knows Best’ probably came from her exquisite taste. Until we can give them the world, we’ve got slick gifts for mums this Christmas. 

This tiny Pacific nation delivers beaches that rival the Maldives and Bora Bora—minus the overwhelm and plus the eco-conscious, slow-living vibe everyone’s trying to copy. Throw in a hearty-meets-tropical food scene and you’ve got yourself a week away you’ll be talking about for years.

Your go-to guide for maximising a trip to the Sunshine Coast

Embark on a sensory journey across Aotearoa’s culinary map—connecting the dots between region, producer, and restaurant. It’s not just where to eat, but why it matters and sharing a kōrero with those turning local treasures into global experiences.

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

When the summer season kicks in, you’ll see ferry-loads make a beeline over the water to Waiheke for the weekend. A day out in this little slice of paradise makes for a perfect weekend getaway—with minimal travel required. 

Fresh off the release of his new single Ecstasy, the musician shares the inspiration behind the new album's romantic ballads and synthy dance bops and why he handed over the record release schedule to his fans. 

With thatched-roof farmhouses and world-renowned udon on her must-do in Japan hit-list, we asked Nozomi Inoue for the ultimate run-down on her favourite hotspots.

Does life feel so hectic right now that you’re missing out on those magical moments with your special someone? Check out these romantic getaways and magical retreats within driving (or ferry) distance from Auckland.

Auckland has some of the best Airbnbs around and we’re semi-obsessed (let’s be real, head-over-heels in love) with those secret urban dwellings that go above and beyond. 

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.

Laneway Festival 2026 lineup brings Chappell Roan, Wolf Alice, PinkPantheress, BENEE & more to stages across Australia and New Zealand.

No matter your budget—from cheap and cheerful to total baller—there’s all manner of top-tier eateries to sink your teeth into.

At Urban List, we've spent a lot of time thinking about what makes the difference between a good restaurant and Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland's very best. 

From boutique to five-star luxury we've scoured town for la crème de la crème, so without further ado, here are the best hotels in Auckland.

Olivia Dean is returning Down Under in October 2026 to kick off our spring season with her honey-sweet vocals and soul-filled lyrics. Touring her upcoming album The Art of Loving, the singer has just announced her Australia and New Zealand tour dates. Here are all the details.

Let's give it up for Australian talent. There's no denying that a whole heap of the best fashion labels right now are Aussie born and bred.

Ho, ho, holy snowball. December is nearly here and it's time to get our Christmas party on. Is it just us, or did this year really sneak up on us?

Fancy a weekend at a waterfront beach house with a gated pool? Or sneaking away to the hinterlands for a farmstay filled with horses and cows? You decide.

If you didn't realise already, Father's Day is fast approaching. Well, actually, it's right around the corner—7 September, to be exact—there's your reminder. What makes matters tricky is how tough Kiwi blokes can be buy for. That's why I've come up with the very best list of gifts to get a Kiwi dad for Father's Day.

Make markets your favourite weekend morning ritual and kick on with mates for the night markets too. Here is our (extensive!) list of the very best Auckland markets.

Grab a pie and a pint, put your thinking cap on, and get ready to show off your obscure knowledge. Who knows? You might even come out on top. 

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.

Private dining is the ultimate fantasy—home-style dining (if your home’s hella plush) surrounded by all your favourite people, where tastebud tantalising dishes materialise in front of you, care of a top-tier chef. If I’m dreaming don’t wake me up.

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. 

Here are eight epic day trips from Auckland for you to tick off one by one.

If there's one food trend that's defined 2025 thus far, it's Dubai or knafeh chocolate. What started as a candy bar bringing together pistachio cream, tahini, and kataifi (a type of shredded pastry) inside a crackable, paint-splattered chocolate shell, created by Sarah Hamouda of Fix Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai—has inspired an infinte number of copcats across the globe, and just as many sweet treats (think cookies, pastries, even cocktails). 

Nothing cheers me up more on a cold Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland day (any day, to be fair) than wrapping my mitts around a mug of hot chocolate. Whether it’s a classic number done right, or a more adventurous drop laced with peanut butter or peppermint, served in an edible cup or even topped with bright pink fairy floss, sippin’ on a hot choccy is always a good time.

One of the side effects of becoming the Editor of Urban List is friends and strangers alike are always sliding into my DMs asking for recs (which I dig, by the way—she loves a flex). So I decided I should really be spilling my secrets here, for all of you, too. 

A bunch of workshops have popped up all over Auckland with every kind of class imaginable.

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

Sick of being a passive bystander in a movie theatre? Perhaps it’s time to become the lead in your own story.

While your Spotify may be overflowing with a cracking collection of music, nothing beats the sweet, sweet sound of live music.

Cue the Macklemore flashbacks. It's clear that thrift shopping—correction, op shopping—is f**kin’ awesome. Especially in Auckland, with the best op shops per capita, so we say.