The legendary Kings Arms Tavern is one of the best places in New Zealand to see up and coming talent from both New Zealand and around the world. Great intimate setting with amazing acoustics, and a large outdoors area to cool off and take a breather.

The Powerstation has seen some legendary acts in its time. Every gig I've seen therehas blown me away! There is always plenty of space and a great atmosphere. Its close to some great bars to get ready for the show.

The Civic is the most stylish venue in Auckland, and probably all of New Zealand. The venue is stunning and provides a great view of the stage from any seat in the house. The acoustics are always incredible. I wish it was used more often!

The go-to venue for large international acts with loads of incredible artists playing the arena each year. Lots of bars and food options make a conformable night out. The best venue of its size in the country.

Some of the biggest concerts ever seen in New Zealand were at Mt Smart Stadium, including the now legendary Michael Jackson shows in '96. It always attracts big crowds and big atmospheres. Also home to the Big Day Out for 20 years it has produced some truly magic moments.

You can't go past a visit to the museum if your looking for something to do for a day. There's something for the littlies as well as something for the big kids. Always love looking at the street from the past.

I could happily spend most of the day standing outside the Art gallery simply looking at the beautiful architecture, but when I finally do pull myself inside there is a large range and variety sure to keep everyone happy. The 'kids' zone will eat up more than a few minutes of your time, kids or no kids.

Best way to spend an evening! A must during Matariki as well.

Free movies, blankets, good food, fun times!

Best place to go for a peaceful walk and have a chat with the sheep.

Auckland Art Gallery have really upped their game in the last decade. The new building is stunning, a work of art itself. The New Zealand section is beautifully curated, with the pieces tastefully presented, with lots of space and well-balanced in each room. Very easy wandering.They are getting in more exciting exhibitions, like the recent success Who Shot Rock ‘n’ Roll, which is one of the best photographic exhibitions I have been to anywhere in the world. The centrepiece to the gallery is the Breathing Flowers, which I love. It is a huge hanging installation piece of inflated flowers, which move or ‘breathe’ as you watch them. It is quite captivating and will only be up until 3rd September this year. Have a look and see what’s on…

Inside, sheltered from any potential bad weather, all sorts of beautiful and fragrant plants and flowers bloom inside this ornate glasshouse. The glasshouse is gorgeous and has a king of art deco look to it, with its high curved ceiling. Inside, there are several areas, including a central courtyard with ponds of bright goldfish and Grecian statues. There is also a fernery, which is really relaxing to walk through. Entry is free! Bonus! And if the weather is nice, you have the rest of the Domain to stroll through. Bring some bread and you can feed the birds at the pond. A couple of nice cafes throughout and of course Auckland Museum, which is free to Auckland residents (bring a local library card or a bill with an Auckland address as proof). Lots of options! It is a little breath of fresh air in the middle of the city; lovely to walk through!

Trust The Basement to be so topical as to have a play in residence about being young and gay right when the vote for Marriage Equality is being drafted! I recently saw Queen by Sam Brooks in the intimate studio theatre and, in with moments of tears & many of laughter, were some real revelations about what it is like growing up gay today. Brooks won the Playmarket Playwright’s B4-25 Award in 2012 and Queen is a brave and honest piece of work. Enjoyable & thought-provoking, it sparked a long conversation afterwards about the themes. ****On 16-25 April @ 7pm**** When I went to see Queen, there was a sign behind the bar: “We are nice! You have the options of: 1. Being nice back 2. Going away! x” and it’s true! One time, the staff here found the last remaining seat in the house to squeeze me into at the last minute when I was on stand-by & desperate to see a popular show, saying “We can just fit you in! Quick! You can pay at the interval!” They are good guys. Basement are now a risk-share theatre too, so they take a cut of ticket sales, rather than charging to book the theatre. This means that new theatre companies have the opportunity to put on a production based on the merit of their work alone, rather than whether they have the capital up-front to book a performance space. Therefore, Basement takes bookings for plays they believe in and they help market them too, because they are invested in the play’s success. This is an important shift and has changed the landscape of Auckland’s theatre repertoire. Love love love for The Basement. :)

I really love the fact that Auckland’s Museum is actually good! Sounds harsh, but a lot of cities have very dull museums! I love the Maori and Pacifica section, so interesting. The marae is great. The giant waka is so cool! Loads of great stuff to look at and it’s free for Aucklanders - just bring a library card or a bill as proof!

Tucked away out of the centre of town, a lot of Aucklanders have never been here, but it’s really great! Lots of incredible plants to look at and cool facts. Some amazing smelling flowers and a warm and vibrant and healthy environment to wander through.

I am a regular at the Auckland Museum- whether or not they have one of their fantastic exhibits on, I still find it fascinating to wander the great halls looking at different things.  Recently went to White Lights there and it was an absolute thrill! 

Food galore!!! A place to tempt all your senses!!!!!  La cigale has good coffee, mouth watering pastries  and fresh veges and fruit and lots more!! 

Great exhibitions- and a wonderfully designed interior with architectural integrity!

Some great foreign movies here- as sceptical I was, I am now hooked.

Culture.. or could be lack of... but either way you are in for a good night! Hilarious time for all- For the more conservative just note, the later the show, the more you blush!!

Oooh the Seafood School sounds wicked! Keen to go there!

This yoga studio is a place of such serenity and they have so much more to offer than just yoga!

What an amazing book shop! I could spend hours here just browsing! They seem to stock only the best quality books here, everything is thought-provoking.

Definitely makes you see yourself and our world differently and in perspective!

What a versatile venue! They hold a variety of plays but I’ve left each one of them with a different perspective.

I recently went to the Powerstation, where I have been going since I was a teenager. The best thing about the Powerstation is that wherever you stand you can see the act - even if you're a shorty! I also love that it's never oversold, even at a sold out gig. There are always plenty of spots to be found where you don't have to rub up against sweaty concert goers. 

Auckland has a great world class venue to be proud of now. I think its been a long time coming. 

Bring on more concerts at Western Springs. I might be  more partial as I live close by, but being that it’s a very central location , there are plenty of ways to get there. 

The room is full of history and you have never experienced a concert until you have been there. The acoustcs are magical 

If your a an upcoming indie band more than likely you would have played at The Kings Arms . Small yet loads of character.

Inside a beautifully designed building, there's always an interesting art exhibition on. The cafe has some tasty treats also.

This is THE place to visit to learn more cultural and historical information about New Zealand and the world.

Every week, there is a new and fascinating art exhibition on display in this awesome little gallery in Devonport.

Always something interesting on show here. I attended the Documentary Edge International Film Festival which showcased some thought provoking films. There is also a nice bar to get a quiet drink afterwards.

Always something new on display here and a wonderful way to discover and learn.

Videon is awesome. There’s a $10 membership fee and rentals aren’t super cheap, but the selection is drool-worthy and it’s just a cinema-lovers dream.

I love the Civic. The shooting stars on the ceiling, the 1920s/Great Gatsby-esque grandeur, the weird elephant statues… and it’s host to some awesome events. I go here as often as I can.

One of my favourite theatres in Auckland. They always have a great selection of indie and festival-type films playing if blockbusters just aren’t doing it for you, and the bar is well-stocked.

There are a few great little cinemas in Auckland, but Capitol is my favourite.  They choose fantastic indie and foreign films, the interior is luxurious, the aisles are wide and the seats are comfortable... it’s the sort of cinema that makes you feel like you probably should have dressed up a little nicer, in a good way. All that and the unassuming entry (which I walked right past the first time I went here) makes me feel like I’m totally hip and/or in the know when I attend a showing here. :b

Open 24/7, a more than satisfactory movie selection, and a fantastic array of American candy. Yes please.

OK so my idea of a casual date is heading to Video Ezy, cosying up on the couch and watching a French Film. This Video Ezy branch has an awesome selection of foreign film so make sure to check it out, I’d go with French if I were you, after all it is the language of love.

This cinema has a certain charm about it that is perfect for a movie date night. The cinemas are small and cozy, you can enjoy a glass of wine while you sit back and watch a festival film. Always a great selection of films showing and always a great cinema choice.

If you are luckily enough to see one of the International Film Festival screenings at the Civic then you will know just how amazing of a cinema going experience it is. If you haven’t had the chance yet, make sure you factor that in when next choosing your film. When you are inside make sure to look up, that ceiling is absolutely stunning!

Keen to watch a blockbuster action flick? Probably the best place around to go to is Hoyts in Sylvia Park. Amazing surround sound and huge cinemas, you’ll be right in the action. If you can get into a 3D film then I’d definately reccomend you do and experience action at its best.

Nothing beats a good old horror film on the big screen, in a big dark room with your friend sitting next to you screaming at every little sudden movement. When you are looking for a bit of an addrenline rush and you think you can handle of few nights of scary dreams, I’d grab a group of friends and head to the cinemas. Oooooh and on the way home a drive around some abandoned houses is always good.

Kings art gallery, as well as showcasing awesome local artists, has a school holiday programme for kids! They’re doing weaving, painting, sculpture and street art. All classes led by the community, for the community. It’s only $10 per student. This is an awesome institution and I highly recommend you get involved.

This is a fascinating activity for the whole family. The glow worms are absolutely spectacular and the guides are really knowledgable. They tell you lots of interesting facts like how it’s a transparent larva of the Fungus Gnat. I love taking kids and guests here - an easy way to impress them and whittle away the school holidays.

This quaint, groovy cinema is a great holiday activity. Taking the kids to the movies is an easy way to keep everyone entertained. If you happen to have a big group of kids or a birthday it might even be an option to rent out one of the theatres for a private screening - what a cool idea for an adults or even kid's birthday!

Zipping around, games, falling over and massive amounts of laughing are all part and parcel of the Whangarei Skatescool. I think it’s the perfect winter activity for kids as it’s active, they learn something and indoors! So you can go even if the weather is totally miserable.

Your kids will never want to leave once you take them to MY Movement. Essentially they get to go wild and bounce to their heart’s content all over their MY bounce trampoline park. They have birthday party deals and a holiday programme too - you’ll be jumping for joy!

Silo 6 has exhibitions that changes on a weekly basis and is definitely worth a visit whenever possible. The surrounding areas offers a newly developed public space that one can do basically anything. Either chill in the grass, watch the boats cruise by, eat at one of the hip eateries or just go for a stroll with yr camera.

Great walk in gallery that showcases some of the works by prominent NZ artists. Always a must on the list of galleries to visit when in the city.

Peaceful gallery that is always empty. They always have audio visuals showing and one can alway view the works at one own pace. Great way have a quick time out after work or on a Sunday.

Awesome gallery space and always interesting pieces of work by up and coming artists. The owners are always super friendly and again one of those galleries that one can admire pieces of work at ones pace without being disturbed. A must for me whenever I walk pass it.

This gallery always shows very interesting pieces and sometimes a walk in can seem longer than expected. Also, if you sign up to their newsletter you will get invited to the openings whenever new show gets put up.

Manukau City's public art gallery, Te Tuhi Centre for the Arts, is a huge space that includes multiple shows and a great café. It plays host to changing exhibitions, classes, school holiday programmes and more.

You can visit the Stardome Observatory day or night, rain or shine to experience the wraparound sky and special effects of a planetarium. Each clear evening you may also see planets, double stars, glowing gas nebulae, or lunar craters through their amazing telescopes. 

Auckland War Memorial Museum is my top pick for kids on a rainy day, with loads of parking, a cafe with decent coffee and endless exhibitions to explore. Weird & Wonderful is a favourite in our family, with new oddities to discover on every visit. And for most of us - it’s free!

As well as stocking some of the most inspirational and great looking recipe books in the country, Grey Lynn’s Cook the Books offer some of the finest cookery classes and workshops. These range from Vegetarian Cheese Making to North African Flavours and Mexican, and you can also buy vouchers for foodie friends to attend. They also offer private group lessons for friends, just pop in and ask the wonderful staff to tell you more.

Voyager AKA the Maritime Museum occupies some of Auckland’s most impressive real estate snack bang on Viaduct Harbour, making it a great place to take visitors from out of town. It is also the ideal way to waste a few school holiday hours learning about our city’s seafaring history, and kids love the interactive displays in particular as much as adults love the heritage element. A very cool, much underrated attraction for sure.