Fam

Gifts

The Best Christmas Gift Ideas Under $50

To help you tick off your Christmas shopping list and leave you with money in the bank, we’ve put together a Christmas gift guide with a bunch of options for a fiddy dollar note, or less. 

Things To Do

The Best Markets In Wellington For 2024

Whether you’re out for a veggie deal, are craving some homemade treats, or just want to support local grassroots creatives, Wellington’s market scene has got you.

Things To Do

The Best Walks And Hikes In Wellington

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

Fam

Farm House Cafe

The famous cinnabun from Hill House Cafe has returned to South Auckland.

Food & Drink

Little ‘Lato Ponsonby

It all started as a gelato dream for Hannah Engelsman, founder and CEO (a.k.a official title as Gelato Fanatic) of Little ‘Lato. 

Things To Do

Odyssey Sensory Maze

A brand new, multi-million dollar, totally immersive experience created by Hollywood set designers has opened in Auckland CBD.

What's On

The Best Christmas Lights To See In Auckland 2024

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.

Shopping

5 Reasons You Should Consider Investing In An eBike

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

Things To Do

The Best Swimming Pools In Auckland To Have A Dip At This Summer

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

Things To Do

5 Natural Spots In Hamilton To Relax At This Summer

Kiwi summers are incomplete without heading out to the wild exploring the beautiful nature the land has to offer. Read on to learn about the five spots in Hamilton to relax this summer. 

What's On

Auckland’s Best Halloween Events And Parties To Get Spooked At In 2024

Legend has it that at summer’s end or ‘Samhain’—the inspiration behind Halloween traditions—the veil between the world of the living and the underworld is at its thinnest. The dead will walk.

Things To Do

7 Of The Best Escape Rooms In Auckland To Break Out Of

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

Things To Do

10 Ways To Celebrate Māori Language Week 2024

Māori Language Week is just around the corner (14-21 Mahuru/September to be exact) and here are 10 ways to celebrate. 

Things To Do With Kids

8 Fun Things To Do In Wellington With Kids This Month And This Year

Got little ones to entertain? We've got you. From a spectacular series of free Christmas-themed events to an epic dinosaur adventure, a huge street fair and a very merry carol sing-a-long, there's a whole lot of kid-approved things to get amongst this month. 

Things To Do

37 Of The Best Things To Do In Auckland

While Aucklanders may be the brunt of jokes for those south of the Bombay Hills, we think living in the City of Sails is pretty damn rad.

Local Escapes

Snow Machine, Queenstown’s Epic Destination Festival, Is Next Week

Calling all snow homies, holiday heroes, music-mad, and just plain festy frothers—epic destination festival, Snow Machine is next week. And. You. Don’t. Want. To. Miss. Out. 

Things To Do

The Best Things To Do With Dad This Father’s Day In Auckland 2024

Father’s Day is just around the corner (1 September if you’re wondering) and while not all of us have a father we almost certainly all have someone who’s unabashedly cracked dad jokes with reckless abandon.

Pacific

5 Culinary Experiences You Need To Try In Fiji’s Yasawa Islands

A secluded collection of islands stretching across the western side of Fiji, the enchanting Yasawa Islands have a reputation for filling camera rolls with shots of sun-drenched sandy beaches and sparkling turquoise waters.

Local Escapes

21 Stunning Walks In Auckland To Take At Least Once

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.

Things To Do

52 Of The Best Things To Do In Auckland This Winter (2024 Edition)

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

Cafes

This Local Brekkie Spot Has A New Menu—Featuring A Hearty Meatball Sammie

You’ve inevitably stumbled into this friendly neighbourhood cafe at some stage of your life, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee greets you like an old friend, and each bite of the pastries feels like grandma baked it.

Food & Drink

This Unique Culinary Experience Will Have You Dining In Complete Darkness

Want to challenge your taste buds? Read on as we shine a spotlight on dining in the dark. 

Things To Do

The Best Cinemas In Auckland And Where To Find Them In 2024

Don’t get us wrong, we love a night in with Netflix but it just doesn’t compare to seeing movies on the silver screen, a bucket of popcorn in hand.

Things To Do

5 Of The Best Go Karting Tracks In Auckland

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.

Activities & Itineraries

Here’s All Of The Incredible Open Air Māori Art To Check Out In Tāmaki Makaurau In 2024

Commissioned by Auckland Transport, pockets of Māori mahi toi (art) are woven through the city centre. What starts as a functional project—say revamping infrastructure—becomes a powerful art project. 

Local Escapes

LUMA Southern Light Project Is Coming Back To Queenstown This King’s Birthday Long Weekend

Forget what you know about the Southern Lights. Aurora Australis? Please…we have something much more exciting for you! Come Queen’s Birthday weekend, Queenstown’s waterfront is set to transform into a magical forest wonderland, lit up with interactive light sculptures and illuminated art installations.

Auckland

Where To Eat, Drink, Shop And Explore At Ponsonby Central

Ponsonby Central has long been renowned as a vibrant precinct. Its eclectic restaurants and bars serve up everything from Cambodian to Korean and feel-good American fare. 

What's On

Secure Tickets For These Unmissable Black Ferns Matches At Wallet-Friendly Prices

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. 

Things To Do

Onehunga | The Best Restaurants, Cafes, Bars And Things To Do In This Rad Auckland Suburb

It's official—Onehunga is one of Auckland's most hip albeit underrated suburbs. Studded with historic buildings and delightful villas, this charming neighbourhood has really amped things up in recent years on the eating-out front, with a host of top-notch bars, restaurants and cafés coming to the fore.

Local Escapes

10 Of The Best Camping Grounds In Northland

Camping is as much a part of Kiwi culture as remembering to blow on the pie. Whether you’re camping in a tent, campervan or prefer a cute cabin, if you’re after lakefront, beachfront or in the middle of the bush, Northland’s got you. 

Local Escapes

The Best Sunflower Farms In New Zealand And Where To Find Them

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.

Local Escapes

Auckland’s Best Beaches To Explore This Summer

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.

Things To Do

Get Into The Festive Spirit This December At Commercial Bay’s Christmas Markets

So, you’ve put up the tree, locked in the menu for the big day, and sorted an outfit for the work party. Wondering what else to add to your Christmas bucket list this year? If a series of holiday markets hosted by the city's premier shopping destination sounds like your cup of festive tea—then listen up.

Things To Do

6 Fun Ways To Embrace Rugby World Cup When You’re Not A Fanatic

So if you don’t know your drop kick from your dropout, don’t worry, you can still get some skin in the game.

Food & Drink

14 Of The Best Cafes In New Plymouth For A Banging Brunch

Here are the best cafes in New Plymouth, for brunch and beyond. 

Things To Do

11 Of The Best Things To Do In New Plymouth

A town in the shadow of an incredible picture-perfect volcano, and with a mix of art and adventure on offer, New Plymouth makes for a great weekend getaway.

Things To Do

8 Epic Ways To Embrace The FIFA Women’s World Cup

The FIFA Women’s World Cup has kicked off in New Zealand. Held every four years, the event showcases talent from 32 countries—making it the largest women’s sporting event in the world. 

Things To Do

10 Of The Best Mini-Golf Courses In Auckland For You To Smash A Hole In One At

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.

Fitness

10 Of The Best Volcanoes In Auckland To Climb

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. 

Things To Do

Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq And Holey Moley Is Opening In Wellington Next Month

After taking Auckland and then Christchurch by storm, entertainment masters Funlab has announced that its biggest (and best) Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq AND Holey Moley will be opening right in the heart of Wellington.

Things To Do

Where To Go Ice Skating In Auckland

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.

Things To Do

5 Of The Best Family-Friendly Experiences To Seek Out In Auckland

If you’ve got kids in tow, Wynyard Quarter has a multitude of experiences the whole family can enjoy. Whether it’s scoping out the hottest playgrounds, getting cultured with diverse artworks, or enjoying a leisurely weekend picnic, there’s plenty to see and do.

Features

EcoFest | Show Tāmaki Makaurau Some Love With This Stacked Month-Long Eco Festival

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! 

Local Escapes

The Best Lavender Farms In New Zealand Where You Can Feed Your Soul

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.

Things To Do

The Best Auckland Tours To Take In 2024

We're spilling our secrets on all the best tours you need to get amongst to make the most of your time in Auckland. 

Things To Do

The Best Escape Rooms In Christchurch To Break Out Of

If you reckon yourself pretty logical, or maybe you’re the team’s creative, or even you’re the one who’ll touch every single thing in sight just to see if something will happen, tag a team together to conquer these Christchurch Escape Rooms.

TV & Movies

Auckland’s Best Boutique Cinemas To Elevate Your Big Screen Experience

Between free bottomless popcorn, in-film snack deliveries and a Tarantino-approved space, we’ve found the very best of Auckland’s bustling boutique cinema scene. 

Things To Do

50 Epic Free Things To Do In Wellington That Won’t Cost You A Cent In 2022

Whether you’re feeling a bit cash-strapped in the lead up to payday or just love a freebie, Wellington has oodles of fun-tastic things to do that are absolutely, positively free.

Things To Do

50 Rad Free Things To Do In Auckland

Sometimes things get a little tight…the washing machine breaks down the same week as the car does, and then the dog gets sick. And, let’s face it, as much as we love the City of Sails, it’s bloody expensive to live here. But this doesn’t mean you need to be bored—with a little creativity and a whole lot of thriftiness, we’ve found the best free things to do in Auckland. You’re welcome.

Local Escapes

Rotoroa Island | 12 Magical Things To Do At The Hauraki Gulf’s Newest Wildlife Sanctuary

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