Auckland aka: Tāmaki Makau Rau

There’s a free City Circuit bus, which is a great way to get your bearings in Auckland (and also save yourself from walking up the occasional steep street!).

Go down to the Viaduct Harbour – lots of bars and eating places. You can also take a trip on an ex-America’s Cup sailing yacht from here, a great experience!

I just want to visit my family and explore[: i have my auntie, uncle and a few cousins down there. i love cold weather cause i’m usually into long sleeved clothing and jumpsers and jeans, and theyre usually black n grey so it suits! and i hate hot weather. for some reason it seems like a friendly place [x

I went to The Uni of Auckland. The campus was up on the hills and every time I go to my classes I need to climb up the hill. Bad for me I can’t get the free bus from where I used to live.

I want so much to go to New Zealand specially to Auckland. Because it is an exotic and beautiful country with many exciting things to do it. I love extreme sports and I know this country is known for its extreme sports. It has gorgeous beaches and I love beaches.

refer to my sydney comment

I checked into my hotel the Rydges Auckland and lo and behold I was given a complimentary room upgrade to the top floor (14) and my view was of the sky tower! I could see jumpers from the observation deck sail down and I was right in the heart of downtown. I thought I would get lost, but it’s pretty easy to get used to. I didn’t mind the winter weather at all and I think it only rained a little bit while I was there.

If you are short on time (I was there only 4 days), I recommend the Auckland explorer bus which got me around to seeing everything very quickly. It’s guided but it lets you hop on and hop off at your leisure throughout the day. I did Kelly Tarlton’s underwater world, Auckland museum, and the contemporary art gallery on Wellesley and Lorne Sts – which an employee was super great and took me around the exhibits. We had a lovely chat. It was an easy walk to the ferry building and I got a guided tour pass on Rangitoto Island and a return pass to visit Devonport. I really liked this restaurant there called “Manuka”. I also climbed the Auckland Harbour bridge and did some gambling (winning/losing) at SkyCity casino. There’s also this little chinese place you can get six different items on the hot bar for NZ$6.00. I couldn’t finish it all!

If I could get used to the traffic flowing on the opposite side of the roads (I’m American what can I say), I would definitely move there because it’s a fantastic and laid back city. It reminded me much of San Francisco. The Kiwis are great. Next time I will visit more of the island. Auckland is a great start.

Its The Only Place in Nz where you will see Alot of Mixed Polynesian People and experience the Pacific Culture by visiting the Otara Markets Every saTurday … be in Early lol

Otara Music Arts Centre, Fresh GAllery Otara, Mangere Arts Center, Nathan Homestead ( manuWrewa)
For More Info Visit:

http://www.manukau.govt.nz/default.aspx?id=61#OMAC

Also Around Feb-March if You want to experience The Cultures Of The PAcific and Polynesia Do Visit The Asb SEcondary School Polynesian Festival Aka Polyfest!!!
Great Performances, Yummy Food At Cheap prices Island Food That Is …. Performances by various Pacific Island bands And Garunteed Fun Poly Fun lol
For More Info Visit:

www.asbpolyfest.co.nz

Ive Lived In South Auckland All 18 Years of My Life and It REally Iz HOme For Me…
Otara….OtOwn
Otahuhu….Ots
Mangere….MadAnGry/275
Manukau….Maniks
Manuwrewa….REwa
Papatoe….Pap
PapaKura….Kura

All Dezze Places are under south auckland and people judge our neighbourhood as being one of the roughest areas in Auckland Well its not …. There are alot of people with great sports and academic and musical talents which come from South Auckland.

I used to be ashamed to have come from Otara when i was younger but now i Feel priviliged to have stayed in South aUckland and am blessed with the people that i have gotn to know throughout my time here…whether it be from primary high school church…

ITs a Good Community please dont judge us based on the minority of young thugs you see on our streets lol

Granted as a tourist, I will never understand the innernational rivalry amongst what region of New Zealand is considered “real kiwi”, but it doesn’t matter to me. I loved Auckland so much, that I will return to New Zealand one day to finish my journies south. Once you get beyond learning how to drive on the opposite side of the street, it is all fine.

We had the best curry yet in a tiny place across the street from the Skytower, went mountainbiking on the west coast of the north island and met a genuine Kiwi nutter. Fun was had by all.