The Summer Food & Drink Guide
Because the year’s too long and summer’s too short to waste time on the mediocre.
Summer hasn't truly arrived until you've licked the salt off hot-chip fingers at the beach, dripped peach juice into the crook of your arm, breathed in smoky barbecues and clinked glasses over a sinking sun at one of the city's finest rooftop establishments. You've not a care in the world besides finding that new cabana bar and staying there.
On the top of our list in summer? Combining some of our favourite things into one amazing adventure: the outdoors and delicious food and drink. Because let's face it, Auckland has to be one of the best places in the world for dining while the air is warm. Here's Concrete Playground's pick of the best summer food & drink adventures in Auckland.
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News
The Future of Bike Parking is Here, and This is What It Looks Like
It is kind of like a vending machine but for your bike.
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Event
TEDxAuckland
Sat, 2 May, 2015
Victory Convention Centre, Freemans Bay
Enough YouTubing. TEDxAuckland is your real-life TED talk.
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Event
A Delicate Balance
Thu, 5 Mar - Sun, 19 Apr 2015
Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery, Auckland
A multimedia exhibition for tree huggers, although not literally; please don't touch the (kauri) trees.
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Event
Lunar Eclipse at Stardome
Sat, 4 Apr, 2015
Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, Auckland
Get ready for a show that’s literally out of this world, with gravity as its inimitable director.
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News
Moustache Owner Living Off $5 a Day to Save the Cookies
She's now saving face (and Moustache) by fundraising to get a cookie bus.
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Event
James Acaster
Mon, 16 Mar and Mon, 23 Mar 2015
The Classic, Auckland
“Shit, he’s good” was local funny man Guy Williams’ take on comedian James Acaster, whose new show Work in Progress promises to leave audiences with a similar reaction.
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News
The Ten Best Locations to Drop Bombs in Auckland
Downtown Manu Club take us through ten of their favourite spots.
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News
Behold, You Can Now Have Your Pizza Delivered By Boat in the US Virgin Islands
Brb, booking flights.
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Event
David Shrigley at Two Rooms
Fri, 6 Mar - Sat, 18 Apr 2015
Two Rooms, Arch Hill
Wry comedy on canvas.
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Event
White Night
Sat, 14 Mar, 2015
Various Locations in Auckland, Auckland
For six hours only Auckland is turning into a giant, magical and free art gallery.
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Event
The Kitchen
Multiple single dates
SkyCity Theatre, Auckland
Like a TV cooking show but in a theatre and with moody lighting, a dramatic narrative and 12 booming drums.
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Event
Imperial ft. Yahtzel
Sat, 7 Mar, 2015
Everybody's, Auckland
One half of Aussie electronic group Carmada is launching the 2015 Imperial sessions.
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News
Your Guide to the Auckland Arts Festival 2015
Pyrotechnics, Macbeth set in Congo, contemporary ballet from New York, an Indian cooking performance and art by David Shrigley.
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Event
Volvo Ocean Race
Thu, 12 Mar - Sun, 15 Mar 2015
Various Locations in Auckland, Auckland
Nine countries, ten ports of call, one round the world race.
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Event
The O'Neill Aotearoa Surf Film Festival
Fri, 6 Mar, 2015
Central Studios, Ponsonby
Surf (cinema's) up, dudes.
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Event
Cedar Lake
Thu, 12 Mar - Sun, 15 Mar 2015
The Civic, Auckland
A fiery combustion of contemporary ballet.
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Event
Gorillaz Sound System
Fri, 17 Apr, 2015
Studio, K Road, Newton
Live remixes and audiovisual wizardry from the DJs, not the band.
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Event
Stoneleigh Pop-Up Bar
Fri, 27 Feb - Sun, 15 Mar 2015
Te Wero Island, Auckland CBD
The perfect place to soak up the Volvo Ocean Race atmosphere.
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Event
Skin of Fire
Thu, 5 Mar - Sat, 7 Mar 2015
Auckland Domain, Auckland
A holy alchemy of light, fire and pyrotechnics.
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Event
The Mooncake and the Kumara
Thu, 5 Mar - Tue, 10 Mar 2015
Q Theatre - Loft, Auckland
A story about history, duty, secrets and the delicate balance needed to grow families.
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News
Brilliant Things To Do in Auckland This March
The world's biggest waterslide, a surf film festival and sunrise yoga are just a few things to look forward to.
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News
Concrete Playground's Summer Reading List
Ten books from this year that no bibliophile should miss.
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News
Could This New Sky Garden Be The Workplace of the Future?
Forget the tedium of the office cubicle. The future is harvesting your own lunch, wearable tech and abseiling during coffee breaks.
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News
Stoneleigh Latitude - The Award-Winning Wines from Marlborough's Golden Mile
The Stoneleigh Latitude collection represents the unique terroir of what many consider to be the best vineyard region in the country.
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News
Here's Wally: Your Search for the Elusive Waldo Has Been Optimised Using Math
Waldo doesn't stand a chance.
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Event
Silo Sessions Presents World Together
Sat, 28 Feb, 2015
Silo Park, Auckland
A free showcase of exotic sights and sounds courtesy of a suitcase full of tapes sourced from across Africa.
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Event
Auckland Cup Day
Wed, 4 Mar, 2015
Ellerslie Racecourse, Greenlane
Take a half day off work to watch some racing and have a drink in the sun.
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Event
Auckland Lantern Festival
Thu, 26 Feb - Sun, 1 Mar 2015
Albert Park, CBD
Grab a pot of noodles and do some lantern-gazing.
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Event
Perfume Genius
Fri, 20 Feb, 2015
Kings Arms, Newton
Seattle's Mike Hadreas brings his boundary pushing alter-ego to Auckland.
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Event
Silo Cinema: The Great Gatsby
Fri, 27 Feb, 2015
Silo Park, Auckland
See F. Scott Fitzgerald's world, as imagined by Baz Luhrmann, projected onto the back of a silo.
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News
The Five Best Vineyard Getaways in Australia
Pop open a bottle of estate-grown wine at these stylish stays among the Australian vines.
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News
Summer Style Guide for Men
Because swim shorts 24-7 are not socially acceptable unless you live on the beach.
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Restaurant
Monsoon Poon
Cnr Custom St West And Lower Hobson Street, CBD
Through Monsoon Poon's doors are the lantern-lit South East Asian vibes of yesteryear.
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Event
A Movement
Thu, 19 Mar - Sat, 21 Mar 2015
Various Locations in Auckland, Auckland
The A Low Hum maverick is going on a nationwide tour - with 1000 photos of 300 bands.
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Event
On The Moment of Change There is Always a New Threshold of Imagination
Sat, 7 Feb - Sat, 28 Feb 2015
Artspace Auckland
Artist and audience swap roles.
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Event
Night of the Queer
Wed, 18 Feb - Sun, 22 Feb 2015
Tapac, Western Springs
There will be singing, dancing, comedy, music, aerial performances and everything in between.
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Event
Implicated and Immune
Wed, 28 Jan - Sat, 21 Feb 2015
Michael Lett, Grey Lynn
This show documents an important part of New Zealand, and global, history.
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Event
Everything and Everyone Market
Sat, 21 Feb, 2015
St Kevin's Arcade, Auckland
Craft and zine lovers rejoice.
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Event
Eddie Izzard
Thu, 19 Feb, 2015
ASB Theatre, Auckland
A rambling, whimsical monologue delivered by an ex-accounting student now "executive transvestite".
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Event
BMW Polo Open 2015
Sun, 22 Feb, 2015
Auckland Polo Club, Clevedon
The game of princes, made ponies and chukkers.
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News
How to Host the Perfect Barbeque
We can't help you with meeting good people and making them like you, although inviting them over to eat meat and drink beer probably won't hurt.
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News
This Durable Cardboard Bike Costs Just $10 to Make
A bike so cheap that it's not even worth the energy deployed in trying to steal it.
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Guide
The Summer Travel & Leisure Guide
Because the year’s too long and summer’s too short to waste time on the mediocre.
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Guide
The Summer Design & Style Guide
Because the year’s too long and summer’s too short to waste time on the mediocre.
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Guide
The Summer Arts & Entertainment Guide
Because the year’s too long and summer’s too short to waste time on the mediocre.
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News
New Web Comedy 'The Katering Show' Skewers Foodie Culture
"The journey of a food intolerant, and an intolerable foodie."
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Event
Red Bull Sound Select
Fri, 27 Feb, 2015
Neck Of The Woods, Auckland
An epic party with a minuscule price tag.
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News
Your Guide to Splore 2015
Original, unique and fresh no matter your title; hipster, hippie, foodie, square etc you'll find something to celebrate.
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Event
Thriller Live
Thu, 12 Feb - Sun, 22 Feb 2015
The Civic, Auckland
A quite thrilling tribute to the king of pop's 45-year musical career.
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News
This Swing Table Just Made Meetings Way More Fun
Swing your way through boring PowerPoint presentations.
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Event
Free in Feb
Wed, 4 Feb - Wed, 25 Feb 2015
Kings Arms, Newton
Treat yourself (without paying a dime).
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News
Your Guide to the 2015 Auckland Fringe Festival
An intensified period of weird and wonderful arty experiences.
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News
You Can Now Turn Your Tweets Into Poetry
Computer-generated works of art from 140-character musings.
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Event
Risk And Win Arcade: A Theatrical Competition
Wed, 11 Feb - Fri, 27 Feb 2015
Aotea Centre
The interactive piece of theatre is like the Amazing Race, but without the weird American accents and international flights.
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Event
Away From Home
Tue, 17 Feb - Wed, 18 Feb 2015
The Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, Auckland
Exploring the stigma of homosexuality in sport.
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Event
I Wanna Be Na Nah Na Nah Nah
Thu, 12 Feb - Sun, 22 Feb 2015
Basement Theatre, Auckland
Take a bus ride into Ponsonby's past.
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News
Your Guide to the Auckland Pride Festival 2015
Let our list of top picks guide your way in helping celebrate the wonderful diversity and creativity that makes Auckland awesome.
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News
Van Gogh Paintings Realised as Haute Couture
Van Gogh's little straw hat has never looked so Bjork.
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Event
Auckland Fringe Festival 2015
Mon, 9 Feb - Sun, 1 Mar 2015
Various Venues in Auckland, Auckland
An intensified period of weird and wonderful arty experiences.
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News
Ten Films From Sundance We're Hoping Make It to New Zealand
We've got a whole lot of brand new must-sees for 2015.
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Event
Auckland Pride Festival 2015
Sat, 7 Feb - Sun, 1 Mar 2015
Auckland Various, Auckland
Be proud, Auckland.
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News
A Look Back at Ten Years of Laneway Festival
The last ten years have seen festival after festival launch and go under. How have Laneway managed to nail it?
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News
This New App Can Tell You Which Friend Stresses You Out Most
Want to surround yourself with positive people? There's an app for that.
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Bar
The Crew Club - CLOSED
149 Quay Street, Auckland
A restaurant where the water practically laps at your ankles.
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News
The Ten Best Cafes on the North Shore
The Shore is home to free parking, an endless coast of user-friendly beaches and some of the most relaxed cafes in town.
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Event
Sticky Fingers
Sat, 21 Feb, 2015
Powerstation, Auckland
Get your fingers on some Sticky Fingers tickets.
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News
McDonald’s Is Getting Table Service and Gourmet DIY Burgers in New Zealand
McDonald's is going classy. Well, trying to anyway.
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News
Dutch Lottery Helps Sea Shephard Stop Illegal Fishing in the Southern Ocean
New 8.3-million-Euro boat will help save the Antarctic eco-system.
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News
The Ten Best Drives in the Auckland Region
Sunvisors, cityscapes and seaside adventures - buckle up, we've got the best drives in town.
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News
The A to Z Guide to Healthy Eateries in Auckland Part Three
Treat your body like the temple it damn well is - with raw cakes, enriched smoothies and home cooked meals.
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News
Fashion Masterclasses with I Love Ugly, Zambesi, Huffer, Crane Brothers and More
Fourteen free fashion events all under one roof.
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News
Twelve Films to Get Excited About in 2015
A Lebowski-esque Pynchon adaptation, a sequel 30 years in the making and the Tarantino film that nearly got nixed - they've all made an impression long before they're released.
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Event
Spark Lab Fashion Month
Sun, 1 Feb - Sat, 28 Feb 2015
Spark Lab, Britomart
February 2015 is now Fashion Month thanks to Spark Lab.
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Event
The Social Life of Things
Thu, 18 Sep 2014 - Sun, 7 Jun 2015
Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland
Photography looking for a meaningful connection with banal products.
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News
Eight Gadgets Attempting to Improve Your Life in 2015
Post-CES 2015, we're keen for our belts to tighten, plants to water and kettles to boil themselves.
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Event
Auckland Arts Festival 2015
Wed, 4 Mar - Sun, 22 Mar 2015
Various Locations in Auckland, Auckland
Auckland's biennial arts festival is back and it's even more ambitious than the last.
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News
The A to Z Guide to Healthy Eateries in Auckland Part Two
Guilt-free food for every dietary requirement.
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Event
Future Sound System
Fri, 27 Feb, 2015
Mt Smart Stadium, Penrose
A scaled down version of of Australia’s Future Music Festival.
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News
The Seven Best Staycations in Auckland
Snorkel in a pristine marine reserve, take a tour through some of New Zealand's best wineries, cardboard box down an old World War II bunker-laden hill or surf the West Coast.
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Event
WOW World of WearableArt Exhibition
Fri, 21 Nov 2014 - Sun, 22 Mar 2015
Auckland Museum, Auckland
Art meets fashion.
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News
The Ten Best Summer Bars in Auckland
We ventured beyond the neighbours fence to discover ten of the best bars to set yourself up in this sunny season.
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Event
Foo Fighters
Sat, 21 Feb, 2015
Mt Smart Stadium, Penrose
The last time they played in New Zealand the band triggered a seismic shift.
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Bar
Sabrage Bar - CLOSED
21 Viaduct Harbour Ave, Auckland
Tucked away on the waterfront, Sabrage Bar is the house bar of Auckland’s 5-star Sofitel hotel.
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Event
Splore 2015
Fri, 20 Feb - Sun, 22 Feb 2015
Tapapakanga Regional Park, Orere
Probably the only festival in New Zealand where you can watch acts from the comfort of your own boat.
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Event
Billy Idol, Cheap Trick & The Angels
Wed, 1 Apr, 2015
Spark Arena, Auckland
It's a nice day for a...rock show.
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Bar
Scarlett Slimms & Lucky
476 Mt Eden Rd, Auckland
Scarlett Slimms and Lucky is a haunt for the modern day Raymond Chandler.
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News
The Seven Best Vietnamese Restaurants in Auckland
The healthiest food in the world, but also food with the most history.
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Restaurant
Boy & Bird
222 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby
Boy & Bird takes a humble approach to the farmyard favourite with both interesting and comforting recipes.
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News
The Six Best Burritos in Auckland
Burrito fanatic Ben Polkinghorne takes us through some of this favourites.
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News
The Eight Best Gluten-Free Eateries in Auckland
For all my bread-less brothers and celiac sisters, here are the top ten gluten free eateries in Auckland.
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Bar
Britomart Country Club
31 Galway Street, Auckland
Nestled amongst strategically placed greenery and padded bench seating you’ll find a cocktail bar housed within a shipping container, a mini golf green and a burger joint.
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News
The Ten Best Desserts in Auckland
We now live in a world of lunch-break gelato and Sunday afternoon cupcake missions; the ingenious daytime dessert has become a reality.
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News
The Eight Best French Restaurants in Auckland
Concrete Playground invites you to take stock of Auckland’s thriving French dining scene.
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Bar
Northcote Tavern
37 Queen St
Zip over the harbour on the ferry and enjoy a few pints in the sun.
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News
The Ten Best Bars and Eateries of Remuera
We look into the hometown village of the late Sir Edmund Hillary and Bruce Mclaren.
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Bar
Stafford Rd Wine Bar
141 Queen Street, Northcote Point
Good company necessary, cutlery optional.
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Restaurant
Jack Tar - CLOSED
34-47 Jellicoe Street, Freemans Bay
Jack Tar is a good gastropub. Good food. Good beer. Good atmosphere. Good everything.
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Restaurant
Bird on a Wire
234 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby
A rotisserie chicken, sandwich and salad restaurant in Ponsonby that offers fast-food without the guilt.
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News
Ten Outdoor Accessories to Make Your Next Camping Trip the Ultimate
Summer is here, which means that it's time to leave the den. Might as well do it in style.
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News
The Ten Best Country Cafes and Restaurants in Auckland
Not your usual Ponsonby Road experience.
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Bar
Bette’s - CLOSED
8 Victoria Road, Devonport
A kicked-back Devonport local with food and drinks to rival some of Auckland's best.
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Restaurant
Hallertau
1171 Coatesville Riverhead Highway, Riverhead
A country restaurant in the best sense of the word.
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News
The Ten Best Markets in Auckland
Farmers’ markets have been going through a kind of renaissance in the greater Auckland region of late and rightly so.
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Restaurant
The Blue Breeze Inn
Corner Of Ponsonby And Richmond Roads, Ponsonby
This is one restaurant that could really change your perception of Chinese cuisine.
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News
The Ten Best Karaoke Spots in Auckland
The best spots for belting out renditions of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and 'I Will Survive' in Auckland.
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Restaurant
Miss Clawdy
12 Jellicoe Street, Auckland
There is a sassy new lady in town ready to serve you some good ol' fashioned soul food. Introducing Miss Clawdy, the newest feather in Wynyard Quarter's culinary cap.
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News
A Picky Eater’s Guide to Auckland: Breakfast and Brunching
Our first edition to our Picky Food Guide to Auckland is dedicated to the most important meal of the day.
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Restaurant
St Heliers Bay Cafe And Bistro
387 Tamaki Drive, St Heliers
Finally, something in St Heliers that gives you a genuine reason to make the trek out of the city for.
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Restaurant
Takapuna Beach Cafe and Store
22 The Promenade, Takapuna
With its panoramic views of Rangitoto Island and the Waitemata Harbour, Takapuna Beach Café and Store offers a treat for all senses.
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Restaurant
Food Truck Garage
Shed 1, 90 Wellesley St West, Auckland
You can literally taste the goodness without having to feel guilty.
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News
The Five Best Cocktail Bars in Auckland
Auckland now boasts an array of classy cocktail establishments that make even most discerning enthusiast suitably satisfied.
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Restaurant
Milse Dessert Bar - CLOSED
27 Tyler Street, Auckland
Milse Patisserie: an all dessert restaurant, featuring a seven course dessert menu in the evening, headed by pastry chef Brian Campbell.
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News
The Ten Best Swings Ever
Things have come a long way since your ma or pa tied a threadbare rope to a used tyre.
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Bar
Citizen Park
422 New North Road, Kingsland
It brings something unique to the Kingsland shops, which is a bit of a triumph considering there is pretty much every single cuisine already on offer.
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News
The Ten Best Tapas Bars in Auckland
For those of us who suffer from food envy or rampant indecision, tapas are the way to go.
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Restaurant
Cocoro
56a Brown Street, Ponsonby
There are times when you simply can not, will not and must not settle for anything but the best.
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Bar
Freeman and Grey
43 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby
The go-to hangout for post-work catch ups, cheap pizza, and people watching down Ponsonby road.
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News
Ten Film-Inspired Luxury Getaways
We've reviewed the new releases and flipped through the DVD cabinet to bring you ten jaw-dropping locations.
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News
The Ten Best Picnic Parks in Auckland
It's important to know the 'it' spots to picnic - we have it covered with this Top Ten Picnic Parks in Auckland guide.
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Bar
Tyler Street Garage - CLOSED
120 Quay Street, Auckland
Located in the heart of Britomart’s restaurant precinct, popular inner-city eatery Tyler St Garage is continuing to impress with its exciting new menu.
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Restaurant
Prego
226 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby
If a restaurant has been around since 1986, you could safely say it’s got to be doing something right.
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News
The Ten Best Luxury Getaways from Auckland
If you fancy a glam getaway close to home, you’re in luck.
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Restaurant
Cable Bay Vineyards
12 Nick Johnstone Drive, Oneroa
This low lying building sits atop the rolling hills of Waiheke Island and looks out over the magnificent view back towards Auckland city.
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Event
Silo Cinema, Night Markets and Silo Sessions
Mon, 1 Dec 2014 - Sun, 1 Mar 2015
Silo Park, Auckland
Silo Park has been a delivering a regular range of special cinematic, music and community events each week of summer.
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Restaurant
Cafe Hanoi
Corner Galway & Commerce Streets, Auckland
It takes a fair amount of innovation, creativity and flair to develop the hottest eatery in the rapidly expanding Britomart complex.
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Bar
The Neighbourhood - CLOSED
498 New North Road, Kingsland
Lazy Sunday afternoons don't get much better than this.