The Insider's Guide to New Zealand
2 explore a neighbourhood 3. Karangahape Road
It’s easy to dismiss Karangahape Road (known locally as K’ Road) for its seedy reputation linked to the arrival of strip clubs and prostitutes in the 1970s. Locals look past this reputation, for its gritty backstory is half the charm. While gentrification has increased foot traffic (and back-to-back vintage stores), the subtle grunge factor still exists. Vibrant storefronts are almost indistinguishable from graffiti and concert flyers, and colourful characters parade deep into the night at some of the best music venues, gay bars and karaoke halls in central Auckland.
DAY TRIP
Walk southwest from the Queen Street and Karangahape Road intersection. Don't miss Retro City (161 Karangahape Road, retrocityvintage.com) for antique treasures and Crushes (225 Karangahape Road, crushes.co.nz) for vintage threads and NZ-made gifts.
Stop at historic mall St Kevins Arcade for eclectic shops and picturesque architecture, before winding down with a plate of pasta at after-work hotspot Coco’s Cantina (376 Karangahape Road, cocoscantina.co.nz).
4. Kingsland
Meet the effortlessly cool cousin of Ponsonby. Leave the stilettos and dinner jackets at home because casual rules at Kingsland happy hours and cafés. Only a 5-minute walk from Eden Park, its appeal has long been tied to New Zealand's darling sports arena. All Blacks victories often begin and end in one of the many lively sports bars along New North Road. Any pub in this hip (but not ostentatious) suburb is the next best place to watch a live match, outside of the park of course.
DAY TRIP
Catch a game at local watering hole Citizen Park (424 New North Road, citizenpark.co.nz) before browsing the quirky shops and cafés along New North Road. Devour a wood-fired sourdough pie at Umu Pizza (469 New North Road, umupizza.co.nz) or end the night at The Portland Public House (463 New North Road, theportlandpublichouse.co.nz) for craft beer, burgers and live music.
5. Parnell & Newmarket
While these two neighbourhoods are both tucked against the Auckland Domain (the city's oldest park), their similarities abruptly end there. Parnell is the oldest suburb in the city with its Edwardian townhouses now housing posh boutiques and eateries. These picturesque details are often overlooked for the La Cigale French Market, a weekend rite of passage synonymous with Parnell. Meanwhile, as its name suggests, Newmarket's charm relies on one's belief in retail therapy. Big-city energy is alive and well in this shopping precinct, with bright boutiques and New Zealand's biggest mall.
DAY TRIP
Keep breakfast simple with bagel sandwiches at Goodness Gracious (109-115 St Georges Bay Road, goodness gracious.co.nz) before exploring Parnell's galleries. Wander the Parnell Rose Garden (85-87 Gladstone Road) then lunch at Rosie (82 Gladstone Road, rosieparnell.nz). Taxi to Newmarket and head to the boutiques tucked away on Teed Street.