Wellness

Soak up the luxury at the best Airbnb's in NZ with outdoor baths. 

Battling with guy ropes, losing pegs and trying to figure out where you should even position the damn thing makes tenting not a walk in the park. But never fear—fallouts and deflating air beds will become a thing of the past when you get your glamping pants on. 

We’ve looked high and low and we’ve scouted the best places to eat if you’re gluten free—because there’s no need to miss out.

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.

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. 

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 the outdoors, Christchurch has it all. With spectacular views and plenty to get the blood pumping, we’re 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? 

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. 

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. 

Would you climb inside a hyperbaric oxygen chamber? We did, and this is what happened.

Whether you love getting amongst the arts or prefer to eat your way around town, Ōtautahi’s got something for you. Here are the best events happening in Christchurch in 2025. 

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. 

Sunflower season is short but sweet and while there might not be an abundance of sunflower farms in Aotearoa, there are five magical spots you’ll definitely want to visit.

There's a misconception that pilates is an easy-going style of workout that doesn't require the same strength and effort as traditional gym workouts. Well, we're here to smash that myth once and for all. Pilates isn't just a challenging and effective workout, it's a safe one too. 

Takapuna is one of our favourite suburbs in all of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Not only is it home to one of the most popular beaches on the North Shore, it also boasts a long list of amazing places to eat and drink.

Activewear is the holy grail of the wardrobe. 

If you’re one of those folk who likes adventures but can’t be faffed travelling far and wide for them, Auckland is the best place to live. An outdoor playground lies—quite literally—just beyond our doorstep, waiting for us to explore it. 

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

As the saying goes, you can’t beat Wellington on a good day.

We've compiled a list of the top places to adopt a dog in Auckland so you can be part of the solution.

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.

Explore the stunning Fiordland National Park on an epic three to four-day tramping adventure.

Forget everything you thought you knew about vegan and vegetarian food. Far from its can-o’-chickpea origins, vegan fare is now unapologetically delicious.

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.

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. 

If you're looking for the best accommodation options in the wonderful town of Taupō, look no further.

Upgrade everything from picnic dates to love-making with these great gifts.

We’ve made it a little easier for you and rounded up a list of some of Auckland's best dog groomers, to take care of your precious pup from head to paw.

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.

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.

There's nothing better than shooting the breeze with friends, ice cold beverage in hand and grazing on delish eats (the more cheese, the better). But—news flash—good times can be enjoyed sans alcohol. 

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.

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. 

The beaches don’t come much greater than those in stunning Costa Rica.

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.

Singapore is one seriously indulgent place. The buzzing cosmopolitan city is a melting pot of culture, excellent food and even better bars. Whether you’re a frequent Singapore visitor or are tackling this epic spot for the first time, we’ve curated the perfect booze guide just for you.

The Queen Charlotte Track is a three-to-five-day tramping and mountain biking track that traverses the beautiful Marlborough Sounds.

Shopping sustainably is becoming easier and easier, with more local NZ brands being launched all the time specifically developed to be way better for the environment than their predecessors. We've filled our list with some of the lesser-known brands, so you can support small business while you build your more sustainable life.

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.

Green does not mean boring, folks. And, proving they know what’s what when it comes to all things good, The EcoFest Festival is returning for a month-long party of all things seriously eco! 

Let’s face it, us Kiwis are an intrepid bunch. We love travelling to the far corners of Mother Earth in search of beauty and adventure. But the grass is not always greener—New Zealand is filled with natural wonders that will take your breath away.

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. 

It's no secret we love Christmas and all the glitz and glam that comes with it, from beautifully wrapped gifts beneath pretty trees, to swanky end-of-year parties with fancy food and drink. However we also know that, as the Grinch himself discovered, 'Christmas means a little bit more'. It's about spending time with loved ones, creating special memories and most importantly—helping out those less fortunate than ourselves.

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.

What’s up, long weekend? Big thanks for gracing us with your presence—it’s been a while. There’s no better way to welcome three days of no work than with a cheeky roadie. Lucky for us Aucklanders, some seriously beautiful spots are just a couple of hours drive away.

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.

As much as Covergirl would have us believe life is all easy breezy beautiful, sometimes you need more than lipstick to help you navigate its twists and turns.

We can all be found guilty of becoming a bit of a ‘stress head’ from time to time, but who can blame us?

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.

Take a break from the gym and opt for the outdoors this season because these walks are worth it—we promise. 

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.

 In case you’ve been out of the podcast loop, wellness is the new true crime.

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.

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

​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. 

Game Of Thrones might be done and dusted but winter is coming (again) so it’s time to level up your wardrobe. To help you out we’ve hunted high and low for knitwear that delivers on warmth, supports conscious local and international brands and is kind to the environment.  

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.

Is there anything more calming than falling leaves in autumn? Yes, they’re technically dead leafy corpses but they’re still Insta-worthy AF.

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.

Don't miss out on healthy and hearty grub—get your groceries delivered to your front door with these Auckland businesses. 

There’s no denying it, times are tough and confusing as hell right now. Physical distancing and the general daily news headlines can play havoc on your mental health. And while we’re spending a lot of time at home, it’s important to take time to look after yourself. 

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

While the rest of us are settling into the new norm of an already strange 2022, luxe skincare brand Emma Lewisham has been busy proving itself a sustainability powerhouse once again by recently gaining a B-Corp certification. This means the brand is now recognised as meeting the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, joining the ranks of a global community of businesses that balance profit and purpose. Talk about a guilt-free shelfie. 

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.

If you haven’t heard of Rotoroa Island, you better catch up, stat, because you’re definitely missing out.

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.