A(uckland) is for awesome Brook Sabin
Ilove the America’s Cup. I still get confused about whether the bow of the boat is the front or the back but, like many Kiwis, every four years I get very excited about yachting, especially when we’re winning.
This summer, I can’t help but have an enormous amount of gratitude. We’re one of only a few countries in the world that have just enjoyed Christmas and New Year without any domestic Covid-19 restrictions.
The simple act of a hug is off-limits for hundreds of millions around the world, but not here.
On New Year’s Eve, the heart of our largest city put on an impressive display, as thousands packed the streets to see the Sky Tower’s lights paint the sky a multitude of colours.
And because we’re one of the few countries where sports can still freely go ahead, we’re about to host a large international sporting event – the America’s Cup.
This is a chance to fall in love with Auckland. Our biggest city has been a tourism punching bag in recent years, with one muppet saying ‘‘the heart of our biggest city, our most famous street, is a disgrace’’. I can call him a muppet because it was me.
In 2019, I tore into the city like a prized boxer. I was sick of visiting Queen St and being completely underwhelmed.
But 18 months later, years of work has finally come together, and the city’s heart is experiencing a revival. It’s an exciting place to visit.
Chic new hotels have sprouted – you can read about one on page 34 – and the new mall, Commercial Bay, feels like you could be in Melbourne. Head to Giapo, the city’s legendary gelato shop, to try (for free) every flavour before making your selection.
Britomart has sensational shopping, such as New Zealand’s first Allbirds shop. And there is no shortage of great places to eat, such as Amano and Miann Chocolate (the best hot chocolate in New Zealand.)
The America’s Cup Village is also bustling with beauty and energy. I can’t wait to experience it on a race day.
But it’s also worth looking outside the central city. There are more than 50 islands in the Hauraki Gulf, including Tiritiri Matangi, Auckland’s Garden of Eden.
Here you can see some of our rarest bird species, including the flightless takahe¯. Read about why you must put this on your bucket list on pages 28-29.
If an escape to Auckland is on your agenda, this issue of Stuff Travel will provide all the inspiration you need to visit during the next few months of racing.
Millions will be watching from around the world, unable to travel here because of border closures.
How lucky are we that we can experience it first hand? The Prada Cup, or challenger series, gets under way on January 15 and runs until February 22. Then, the winner of that takes on Emirates Team New Zealand in the America’s Cup, which runs March 6 to March 15.