Auckland weather is a true ode to the power of Mother Nature, who seems to have a soft spot for constantly dealing us the meteorological middle finger. Luckily, whether you’re prepared for it or not (and you probably won’t be), there are still plenty of rainy-day activities to do in Auckland when it rains in 2024.
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Invite your squad around for a movie marathon or visit one of Auckland’s best cinemas.
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Go on a voyage of discovery and dodge the rain with a trip to one of the best museums in Auckland.
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Challenge your flatmates to the ultimate bake-off. Go all out with this gin-fuelled coconut cake, opt for this warming sticky date pudding, steal the show with these red velvet pancakes or make this infamous Caramilk Banana Cake.
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Huddle up with a cosy blanket and plan your next holiday. Here are the best Airbnbs in New Zealand for inspo.
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Hop into an uber and catch up with a friend over happy hour.
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Play detective and dive into one of Auckland’s best escape rooms.
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Fight the weather with some fancy feels and dine on dainty delights at one of the best high teas in Auckland.
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Get a little steamy and we’re not talking about visiting your local sauna… Here’s the lowdown on the 10 best sex toys around.
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Start a podcast, because why not? Here’s everything you need to know to get started.
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Curl up with a serious page-turner.
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Clean out your pantry and stock it full of delicious treats and staples the environment (and your stomach) will thank you for.
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Resist the fast fashion trend to totally overhaul your wardrobe and instead if you really need to add something, invest in eco-friendly and sustainable fashion brands made here in New Zealand.
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Or op-shop from the comfort of your couch with Recycle Boutique or get out there and browse the best op shops in Auckland.
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Hide away at one of the top hidden spots in town, but keep it to yourself, 'k?
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Glow up your LinkedIn profile with these top tips.
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Add some illustrations to your bod at one of the best tattoo studios in Auckland.
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Glow up your nails with a trip to one of the hottest nail salons in town.
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Get yourself a new ‘do to help you feel vibrant on even the stormiest days.
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Make the most of the rainy day and elevate your mind with a trip to one of Auckland's best art galleries.
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Disappear into a whole new world with these top wellness podcasts.
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Book yourself in for a rejuvenating spa day.
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Bath not quite big enough? Be free in one of the best indoor swimming pools Auckland has to offer.
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Learn how to manifest (and while you’re at it, can you manifest us some better weather?)
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Can’t coax yourself out of the house but don’t want to miss out on the gym? Try these home workouts by local personal trainers.
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Or maybe you’re totally down for leaving the house but getting toned's more your style… here’s our pick of the best yoga, hot yoga and pilates studios in Auckland.
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Celebrate the rain with dessert, just ‘cause.
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Embrace the wild weather head-on and run up as many of Auckland’s volcanoes as you can.
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Get your pulse racing at Auckland's best indoor rock climbing spots.
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Round up your foodie friends and go on a doughnut crawl.
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Or a dumpling crawl.
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Do something that’s bigger than yourself and make sure you don’t miss these major social justice dates.
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Salute the weather and order a dark n’ stormy (or whatever you’re in the mood for) at one of Auckland’s best bars.
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Unleash your inner kid to the perpetually after-dark vibe, Archie Brothers' Cirque Electriq.
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Pretend you’re holidaying on the sun-drenched beaches of Greece or Bali by tucking into a Greek feast at Daphnes Taverna or some satay skewers from Bali Nights.
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Snuggle up and binge-watch a Netflix series or two, PSA: no stinkers on this list.
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Coax yourself out of bed with one of the best breakfasts in Auckland.
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Plan your escape to the slopes with our rookie guide on nailing a ski season in Queenstown.
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Weather getting you down? Get yourself a hug in carb form, stat. Of course, by that we mean pizza—here are the best pizzas to load up on.
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Round up your mates and throw some axes.
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Brighten up your days with some new plant babies from Babylon Store.
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Refuse to acknowledge the weather and rebel by eating ice cream, even when it’s cold.
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Read up on 'rainbow washing' and challenge your favourite brands to show real support for the LGBTQIA+ community. While you're at it, learn how to become a better trans ally.
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Live out your best foodie dreams and eat all the things at the best restaurants in Auckland.
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Take one for the team and nab a BLUNT umbrella—your sacrifice may mean it never rains in Auckland ever again… until the day you leave it at home.
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Or throw an epic potluck at yours and treat your guests to this simple (but delicious!) boozy vodka pasta dish.
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Embrace the gnarly, wild vibes with a visit to a beach that's new to you (entirely possible in Auckland).
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Beauty hack your skincare regime with the best skincare in NZ and get a whole lot of 'I woke up like this' ready for when the compliments rain down on you.
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Take the bad weather as a sign from the universe that now is the time to hit up that degustation feed you’ve been meaning to try.
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Seek out one of the top clubs in Tāmaki Makaurau and leave your brolly at the door.
- Be the sunlight in someone else's day by whipping up a surprise delivery of gorgeous blooms.
Weather looking a little better? Seize the day and check out the best walks in Auckland.
Image credit: Rafael Ben-Ari, Seven Shooter, Florian Schmetz, Sumthin' Dumplin', Sweet Axe.