Articles

Articles, guides, insights, stories, insider tips and tricks, the ins and outs from Auckland city and region.

  • Heizo Teppanyaki Restaurant - Newmarket, Auckland
    Articles

    Best Teppanyaki Restaurant in Newmarket

    The first time I entered HEIZO and sat down I thought: Where am I? Am I still in Auckland? The decoration, the bamboo covered ceiling, the little figurines, the large iron griddle, the kitchenette in the corner, the tiny little counter … I was impressed with the amount of atmosphere…

  • Spring is coming - Street Photography Auckland
    Articles,  Featured

    10 things to do in Auckland in spring

    It’s September and that means one thing: it’s spring time! Auckland is busy year round however spring is the time where we blink our way in to the sun after a few months of hibernation. Here are our top 10 free (ish) things to do in Auckland this spring. GET…

  • Mt Hobson - Newmarket View
    Articles,  Featured

    How long from Auckland by car?

    All roads lead to Auckland, as the saying goes. Or was it Rome? Housing one-third of New Zealand’s population, Auckland is the unchallenged center of Kiwi urban lifestyle and the main business hub. People commute for up to 1 1/2 hours one-way each day from around the North Island to…

  • New Zealand Praying Mantis
    Articles

    Creepy Crawlies

    The cute, the bad and the visitors from hell. Like many people I am not a big fan of creepy crawlies – particularly the eight legged ones. Luckily New Zealand has been blessed by the absence of the really nasty ones. We got off lightly compared to Australia. Our big…

  • Busy Viaduct Harbour Square Auckland Central
    Articles,  Featured

    Auckland vs European Squares

    Having lived on both sides of the globe, we understand what draws people in either direction. After a four-week-long trip to Europe, we were really glad to be back in Auckland. We missed the ocean, the beaches, the people (so much less people!), the waterfront, the regional parks, … in…

  • auckland-skyline-from-mount-victoria-devonport
    Articles

    Happy (belated) New Year 2019

    Happy (very belated) New Year. Long time no read, so to speak. Work, Christmas, family, travels, there many reasons that prevented us from writing new articles. With January almost over, we finally found some time to dedicate to our passion, Aucklife.

  • Auckland Sky Tower - Street Photography
    Articles,  Featured

    Why is Auckland a Good Place to Live?

    I have to admit. I have started and stopped writing this article a number of times. Why is Auckland a good place to live? Some days I feel like there are a million reasons it is the greatest place on earth and other days I don’t understand why I am…

  • Auckland City Traffic - Street Photography
    Articles,  Featured

    Auckland’s Transportation System

    Auckland’s Planes, Trains and Automobiles (and the ferry… and the bus, oh and bikes) Auckland isn’t exactly famous for its amazing public transport. With the fuel prices ever increasing and having moved to an area on a train link, I have started to use more public transport along with looking…

  • Newmarket Motorway Sunset - Street Photography Auckland
    Articles,  Featured

    Making Newmarket New Again

    Why are so many stores in Newmarket empty? Well unless you’ve been living under a rock you’d know that Two Double Seven shut down to make way for a massive new Westfield which will include Auckland’s first David Jones store in its place.

  • Mangere Favona View from Mangere Mountain
    Articles,  Videos

    Māori Language Week

    Last week we visited Bernie O’Donnell and Ellyce Mcleod at Radio Waatea at the Nga Whare Waatea Marae in Favona. With Māori language week – Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori – coming up, we thought it would be a good idea to ask the experts to help us with…

  • Tryphena Beach at Aotea Great Barrier Island
    Articles,  Featured,  Islands

    Aotea – Great Barrier Island

    We recently posted a daily photo of the Aotea / Great Barrier Island ferry prompting a reader to ask more about the island and we are (sort of) glad to share! And I say sort of as a sneaky part of us wants to continue to keep this local paradise…