Features

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

Here are all the events not to miss at this year's Auckland Pride Festival. 

If there was a recipe for a banging summer in Tāmaki Makaurau, it’d absolutely involve the sea, some good food, a bit of music and a boogie.

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.

Activewear is the holy grail of the wardrobe. 

From bubble skirts to 'that' tank, these are the season's pieces to curate a wardrobe for every occasion

Having just completed her very first marathon in The Big Apple, Meg Marshall is the young kiwi proving that a casual Friday jog and a bit of initiative can take you a long way. 

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!

It’s all about choosing brands based on our own values—not just the dollar value of a product.

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. 

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is home to some seriously spooky spots. 

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

The best things in life are furry, so we've compiled a list of the top places to adopt a cat in New Zealand so you can help a kitty in need.

This week, and every week henceforth, we encourage you to go beyond learning how to order your coffee in Māori in exchange for a free brew at work, and do something to create a lasting impact for yourself and te reo Māori.

Popping that pretty question can be a nerve-racking time—we get that. What should be a piece of cake, however, is picking out that sparkling little something to seal the deal with. Here’s your definitive list of the best places to shop for engagement rings in New Zealand.

Some Kiwis do their initiation into adulthood and go on a “gap year,” aka the big OE. For me, I didn’t exactly get that chance. Instead, I dived headfirst into a career shift in my mid-twenties. 

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.

Run clubs are gaining popularity and for good reason. Fitspo is dead—and real, authentic, cool breeze, crisp air, blood pumping, good-for-you activity is in. 

Tattoos are a universal art form used as a form of self-expression and tribute and as the world’s most tattooed nation, it's no surprise we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a tattoo studio in Auckland.

If Macklemore taught us anything during his brief but incontestable reign over the radio, it’s that thrift shopping—correction, op shopping—is f**kin’ awesome.

Give your space a budget and eco-friendly revamp with some of the best second-hand furniture stores in Auckland.

The perfect cake doesn't exis—oh wait, it does. 

The first Afterpay Day sale of 2024 officially kicks off in New Zealand on Thursday 14 March. Shop the best deals on fashion, beauty, and homewares. Get discounts from top brands like The North Face, Culture Kings, Glassons, and more. 

It's widely accepted that representation matters; that diversity of thought is to be celebrated and that greater understanding can help shift public opinion. But when an industry hasn’t been particularly inclusive—in fact when it has been explicitly exclusive—who is to blame for that ongoing exclusion?

Sophie and Sam Hurley dreamt up Honest Wolf after searching for a niche in the market they could cater to using their farm’s existing resources.

VR tech to restore the feeling of lost limbs and exercise therapy that employs AI—we’re living in the future, baby—and the Lexus Design Award is here to showcase and bring to life this world-class tech.

How do the pair find time to inject subtle luxury into their jam-packed schedules as parents and sustainably conscious empire-starters?

In this video, Tūranga Morgan-Edmonds speaks to the importance of cultural preservation through Māori content creators such as himself in the digital world.

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

From a 9-5 desk worker to a professional op shopper, Tabitha Coleman has turned one of her biggest passions into a full-time job.

We’re exploring refined cocktail classics made with premium Appleton Estate rums.

We sat down with him to talk about his creative process, maintaining his artistry and his bold new project with Doritos designing their latest packaging. 

Our journey isn't just about learning; it's about reclaiming a piece of our whakapapa that was nearly lost. It's about bridging the gap between generations and healing the wounds of the past. 

When the mercury rises, post-hibernation spring soirées begin to sprout—and we're here for it. To celebrate, we've teamed up with Johnnie Walker Scotch Whisky to help you craft a few new cocktails and knock the socks off your next event. 

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.

Takapuna Winter Lights will be lighting up the shore over four nights this July as part of the Elemental AKL festival and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever.

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. 

Here’s a roundup of the best teams to watch in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. 

For me, Matariki represents a time of celebration, reflection, and connection to people and land across New Zealand. 

Adrenaline-pumping activities, forest-bathing among ancient trees and unwinding in relaxing hot springs is the idyllic trifecta that awaits you in Taupō. Here are some of the best hotels to stay at when you get there. 

Long and unjustly discriminated as the smuttiest of spirits, vodka is both the queen of classy and the king of trashy - and we should know - here at Urban List we are fine connoisseurs of the occasional vodka vocation. So before we crank into the boom of Summer, we’ve rounded up 12 of New Zealand's best vodka brands.

Taupo is a firm favourite among Kiwis for a cheeky getaway at any time of the year, here are the best motels in Taupo.

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.

Unless you're Barbie, the amount of single-use plastics we have is not fantastic. And with the drive of consumer culture and mass packaging, for many, the gravity of the problem is often overlooked. 

It's official whānau, IKEA is finally coming to Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Instead of dreading your next interview, come prepared with some killer questions that will bump you to the top spot.

From statement earrings and sleep-supporting tea to illuminating skincare and cosy knitwear, shop our thoughtfully curated list of Mother's Day gifts.

Irrespective of how you feel about trans people, no one deserves to be excluded because of who they are.

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.

Exciting news fam, Ponsonby's coveted Lucky 8 is getting a hot younger sibling and it's going slap-bang in the middle of a wholly revamped Elliott Stables, set to dazzle the senses and plunge you into an epic world complete with late-night eats, DJs and vibes for days. 

Today is International Women’s Day, an important day for all those who identify and women and allies. To celebrate, we reached out to 10 inspirational women to see what they had to say on this year’s theme #EmbraceEquity.

Whether you’re a baby feminist or a seasoned equality fighter, this list covers the freshest feminist reads from Australian and international authors alike. From mind-blowing factual works to eye opening fiction and even a few timeless classics, put your reading glasses on and add these prime publications to your to-read list.

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! 

Well, whānau, what a time. As we finally come up for air following the unprecedented floods in Tāmaki Makaurau and with potentially more coming on the horizon, it’s time for us to come through for each other. 

Here we are again, whānau. Cyclone Gabrielle, hot on the tail of the recent floods, has put further strain on our communities. Here are 11 ways you can contribute to the Cyclone Gabrielle relief effort.

The New Zealand Government has this morning announced a National State of Emergency in response to Cyclone Gabrielle's journey across the country.

Drool Alert! Get ready for biscuits like never before. Here's how you can whip up a batch of Whittaker's hokey pokey crunch biscuits.

Chocolate lovers rejoice! We've got the cake recipe your dreams are made of. It's rich, it's moist, and it's slathered with chocolate ganache icing. Oh, and it's made with two bars of NZ's all-time fave, Whittaker's chocolate.

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.

This year, let baking Queen Miss Trixie Drinks Tea help you level up your pav game with her Cherry Ripe-inspired Christmas monolith. Bruce, June, let us introduce to you the Pavlova MKII.

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.

Make more conscious gifting decisions this Christmas.

Ideal for sipping on a summer afternoon or evening, cooling your red wines allows for bright, ripe fruit notes to step forward and Jacob's Creek Lively Bunch is the sip of the season. 

Special events call for extra special outfits. Luckily for us, there are heaps of fancy dress hire shops across New Zealand to help us get our glam on. 

“Frosé Your Way” has been dreamt up by everyone’s favourite rooftop bar Dr Rudi’s and will even feature a garnish wall so you can customise your drink to perfection.

Not many people can say they started a beauty brand in their own kitchen, but Brianne West did just that when launching Ethique.

Essential reading.

Whether you’re a die-hard pickle fan, on the fence or just pickle-curious this week will hit in all the right places.

What's better than a block of Whittaker's 33% cocoa Creamy Milk chocolate? A block of this classic velvety chocolate with a silky hazelnut gianduja centre. Yes, you read it right. The team at Whittaker's have done it again with their latest addition, Hazella.

Is there any better news than a new scoop shop? Well, one that gives out free ice cream of course.

Chef's Josh Barlow and Brody Jenkins' menu deserves the top spot on your NZ eats list. 

It's time you watched Seaspiracy.

In recent times there’s been a welcome shift in tides to bring style and sustainability together thanks to some clever brands adopting planet-savvy changes. 

Apron up and follow on for what is no doubt one of Excell’s magnum opus, the gluten-free cinnamon roll.

Stay up to date with our live list of the latest updates of restrictions around Auckland and New Zealand.

Movie lovers and entertainers, we’ve got just the thing to level up your next binge-watching session or weekend crew hang. 

Multi-award-winning NZ clean skincare brand Emma Lewisham has just dropped a next-level Sleeping Mask which is basically beauty sleep in a bottle.

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. 

Let's talk the "P-word".

Few things have us salivating more right now than the amazingness that is Lotus Biscoff, which lucky for us, comes in more than one incredibly addictive form (a deliciously crunchy cookie, and an even more delicious cookie spread). You'll find both in this epic recipe from Dole, which is responsible for what could be our biggest baking crush yet—a Banana Biscoff Cake.

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.  

Good for your tush, good for the planet.

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

Held annually since 1974, the day acts as a reminder to individuals and businesses who are well on their sustainability journey or those at the very start, that we can all be making little changes in our day to day to protect the planet in a big way.

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? 

Doing our bit for the planet is a non-negotiable now. And one of the easiest ways to make some changes that will benefit earth, is to change some habits at the dinner tables.

There's nothing we love more than scoping out the latest creative displays. Plus, when it's paired with the chance to pick up epic prizes, you can count us in. 

In a move that possibly no one saw coming—but then, it is 2021 and anything is possible—Mark Wahlberg is bringing his brassy American burger chain to Australia and New Zealand this year.

Aotearoa is home to incredible talent. Music, art, design, hospitality—it's fair to say we have creative inspo in spades. 

Just when you think our series of KFC flips couldn’t get any better, we’ve gone and done it again. 

To put it simply, the theory behind the CE is about transforming our current linear consumption model (Take-Make-Waste) into a circular one that keeps products and services in use for longer (well, forever) to reduce environmental impact and protect precious natural resources. 

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. 

We’re back at it again. You couldn’t get enough of our last finger-lickin’ flip on fried chicken, so we’re bringing you more hacks to take your KFC feed to the next level. 

Each year, countries all around the world unite together for Earth Hour, one of the largest global movements where millions of people pledge to become more earth-conscious by partaking in an electricity-free hour. On 26 March at 8:30pm we’re turning off the lights, the electricity and even our phones (you can do it!) for one hour all in the name of sustainability. 

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. 

Welcome to part two of our inspirational interview series all about breaking the bias, the theme for International Women's Day 2022. To celebrate, we reached out to nine inspirational women to see what they had to say on the topic.

Today is International Women’s Day, an important day for all those who identify as women and allies. To celebrate, we reached out to nine inspirational women to see what they had to say on this year’s theme of #breakthebias.

After two-ish years of sweatpants (mostly) all day every day, the ‘home couture’ game is strong but sweats and sand don’t mix so we went looking for the best dresses to salute the sun in this summer.

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.

Bless your ears with these incredible LGBTQI+ podcasts that will make you laugh and cry with their raw, honest and hilarious storytelling. From celebrity hosts and guest stars to award-winning journalists and activists, these queers podcasts are seriously binge-worthy.

Just when you thought finger-lickin’ fried chicken couldn’t get any better, we’ve gone and turned it up a notch (or ten)

If you’re looking for conversation topics beyond your next choice of drink, Auckland Museum is playing matchmaker this year at their Mingle At The Museum singles event, which gives you the opportunity to meet like-minded people as you chat over dinosaur bones.

If there’s one thing we love about summer, it’s the stacked social cal. And after this year, throwing on your party threads never felt so good. Whether it’s balmy beachside picnics, classy evening soirées or just a good old festive dinner—summer is where the socialising is at.   

Urban List is turning 10 and we’re in the mood to celebrate. And what better way to celebrate than by dropping some sweet-looking merch just in time for your summer wardrobe refresh.

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

Pigs in blankets, sausage rolls, or pastry cannons as our editors like to call them, are always a hit when the silly season comes around. They're a real grab-and-go situation regardless of if one's making their way to the Christmas tree or around the big day's spread, and this gluten-free recipe from GF master Becky Excell is giving everyone absolutely no excuse not to scoff a few down—find it, and plenty more gluten free recipes in her latest book How To Bake Anything Gluten Free.

Do you know what we need after this weird year? A drink, that’s what. And a damn good one at that. Lucky for us, cocktail season is in full swing and we couldn’t be more ready to gather our crew, whip up a charcuterie board and sip away the afternoons. Absolute bliss. 

Good ol’ banana bread. We know it, we love it, we pretend it’s not dessert by calling it bread instead of cake. If you thought it couldn’t get any more delicious, this recipe from Whittaker’s might just prove you wrong (and we promise you won’t be mad about it). 

The term zero waste has been on the upward trend for a while now, but it’s one that we hope will stick around for the long haul. When you consider that one million plastic bottles are purchased around the world each minuteand that 91% of plastic is never recycled, well it’s enough to make your head hurt. Most people are aware by now of what you need to do to reduce your waste at home, and it’s not all that different when you’re travelling, but we’re going to break it down for you so there are no excuses.

Stuck at home once again, it’s safe to say most of us are finding ourselves with the opportunity to spend a little more time in the kitchen. Wondering what to bake next?

The only thing that’s trending harder than the pandemic right now is Netflix’s banger of a series, Squid Game. From the 7,800% increase in sales that Vans reported on their white slip-on shoes, to the influx of Squid Game memes filling up your feed, The nine-part action/thriller/mystery anxiety inducer has infiltrated almost every corner of pop-culture—and very soon, it’s about to take over your kitchen. 

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.  

Face masks are now essential wear for all New Zealanders.

Recreate a little of superstar chef Al Brown's culinary magic at home with this drool-worthy skillet cookie recipe. Crispy on top, soft in the middle, still warm when you dig a fork in— all topped off with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. We'll take three, please!

If you're tired of cooking banana bread, sourdough, zucchini slice, quiches, and everything else you can think of. Why not have a bash at making one of Australia and New Zealand's most iconic biscuits at home.

The global gluten-free phenomenon that is Becky Excell is back at it again, sharing with us another of her perfect-10 creations. On the table this time around is her no-bake, make-in-30-minutes strawberry cheesecake inspired by its packet mix counterparts found at the supermarket.

There’s nothing like taking a bite of tiramisu to make you feel like you’re really treating yourself. The one we’re digging a fork into today is a treat from The Oyster Inn, the Waiheke Island fave helmed by all-star chef Josh Emett, and it's pretty much irresistible.