Wellness

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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? 

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. 

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). 

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

It would be LUBE not to.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

For a completely free workout, lace up your running shoes, put in your ear buds and head outside to explore the absolute best running tracks in Christchurch.

Rain or shine, bowling is one of the most fun ways to spend an afternoon. 

Hot yoga is known to help curb your stress, stretch your muscles, focus your mind and is definitely more intense than a room-temperature class. Keen to give it a go? Check out our guide to Auckland’s best hot yoga studios. 

We’ve been longingly watching from across the pond and now it’s our time to enjoy the stunning outdoor vacay of a lifetime—Unyoked is finally launching their very first New Zealand nature escape, and it's going to be epic.

Say goodbye to plastic bottles and hello to healthy hair with Ecostore's new shampoo bars. 

While you might spot them on a chilly morning and shiver just at the thought of joining in, a growing number of cold-water swimmers swear by the mental and physical benefits of taking a dip in winter waters.

Land of volcanoes and geothermal hot spots, Aotearoa's geographic history has truly blessed us with the best.

Nestled in the beating heart of Surfers Paradise, we’ve found the perfect place for the ultimate fun day out. Think: epic games, live sport and a total foodie nirvana. So where can you find this awesome spot? Perched on the corner of Surfers Paradise Boulevard and Cavill Mall, boasting a 100-metre frontage opposite the world-famous Surfers Paradise Beach, is Paradise Centre. Home to over 90 stores, an alfresco dining precinct and a buzzing entertainment hub, gather your crew and make tracks here stat.

​Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or a beginner student (or the mere thought of the lotus position has you scratching your head) there’s never been a better time to try the delicate art of yoga. 

adidas is inviting runners of all levels to crush the kilometres to help end plastic waste in our oceans. 

You’ve got Azalea Banks’ 212 blasting through your headphones, you’ve just clocked your fastest km to date, and you’re rounding out your morning run with an epic view of the sunrise. Feels good, doesn’t it? 

If you would have told us 20 years ago we’d be using a mobile phone to exercise, we wouldn’t have believed you. But alas, some really smart people made magic happen and now this is the reality we get to enjoy, along with an endless stream of Tik Tok videos.

Think you can’t train yourself to switch off and chill out? Guess again. Sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo hit us up with four easy ways to ditch the insomnia and train our bodies to consistently get a good night's sleep.

Given the threat of an omicron Covid 19 outbreak in the wider community in New Zealand, medical professionals suggest upgrading your face mask—remember the omicron variant is highly transmissible so you're better off with a respirator style that protects against finer particles over your standard cloth mask which just acts as a physical barrier. 

Less stress and anxiety, that's what we all want, right?

Oh, home isolation. So much free time, so little motivation. Whether you’ve ended up feeling under the weather or you’re just starting to get stir-crazy, we’ve put together some affordable additions to make life stuck at home more bearable.

We all know how important good sleep is, just like we know how important quality bedding is for obtaining that sleep nirvana. Since it can feel a little daunting to navigate the many options on the market right now, we’re here to help. Whether it’s cotton or silk that tickles your fancy, we’ve got something for you!

If you’re one of the unicorns that has not yet copped Coronavirus, this read is for you.

Loved up or not, February 14 can be a pretty hectic day.

Bring on the climax.

We’re unpacking all things allergies with La Roche Posay, so you can protect and nourish your skin as it deserves and avoid pesky reactions.

When you're having one of those days where you're feeling frazzled, stressed out or overwhelmed, even the simplest of tasks can seem daunting. While this often feels incredibly iscolating, know that you're not alone; Beyond Blue confirms that 1 in 4 Australians will experience anxiety (that's over 4 millions individuls) in their lifetime and 17% of the population is currently suffering from depression, with these numbers rising every year. 

We’ve partnered with La Roche Posay to dissect the different affects COVID can have on your skin, how to notice skin irritations and how to best treat them while caring for and protecting sensitive skin.

Blessing users with soft, tangle-free hair and smooth, nourished skin, switching to a silk pillowcase is like investing in a long-term spa treatment. Lucky for you, we’ve got the buzz on where to find the best ones available in NZ. Kiss your bedhead goodbye, you’ll be waking up feeling pampered in no time!

We all know the struggle of trying to find the right pillow. Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for a healthy lifestyle, so we’re here to guide you in the comfiest direction.  

From live yoga and pilates-inspired workouts, to world-renowned Les Mills classes, getting fit at home has never been easier (or more accessible). So chuck on your trainers, clear a space in your living room or head to the driveway, and get moving. 

The importance of mental wellbeing at this point of time cannot be understated. With an emphasis on mental wellness, Ārepa founder Angus Brown began exploring the relationship between nature, neuroscience and nutrition. 

Here we are, deep into another lockdown, and many of us New Zealanders feeling all over the show—unable to shut off, to relax, to let go… without drugs or alcohol. Well, we're here to tell you, there really is another way. 

So we’re locked down and you’re pretty confident you have all you need. But what’s this? The repeat prescription you got six months ago is dwindling and you’re definitely not keen on joining the queues at the pharmacy. Fear not, for a whole raft of pharmacies are now offering to deliver their products and prescriptions direct to your door, anywhere in New Zealand.

Why is PMS still so badly understood? How can there be this much vagueness and confusion over the female body in 2021? Your monthly visitor really can be a friend, not a foe, and there are things you can do to support your body to sail through your monthly cycle as pleasantly as possible. Hit up this list to give your hormones and period some love.

To help combat this hugely common skin condition, we’ve teamed up with trusted skincare experts La Roche Posay to uncover everything you need to know about treating acne.

When we heard about this new campaign asking us to share the beautiful moments in our lives with our dearest friends for a chance to win a boujee getaway we thought it might be a bit of you, too. 

Given Aotearoa is perched on the Pacific Ring Of Fire it's no wonder we love our hot water. And while we're blessed to have so many stunning natural hot springs, we couldn't help but create a whole lot more—cue the man-made hot pool.

The winners of The Circle Awards AUS & NZ 2021 have officially been announced, and our carts (and hearts) are full of sustainable swaps we never knew we needed.

Leisha Rae makes up the sweet 1/2 of Bowl & Arrow with her bestie and partner in crime, Hannah Bryan. After meeting at a cafe Leisha was working at and bonding over the best bread for french toast, they realised they had the same career passions. We spoke to Leisha to find out what has happened since history started writing itself.

If your screen time report has ever given you a fright (guilty, how can it be that many hours?) then you’ll probably want to consider some kind of digital detox. Before you roll your eyes, it’s more about setting healthy boundaries for a better daily routine than going cold turkey and disappearing from digital life altogether, a prospect that many of us can’t engage with for work reasons and also FOMO.