Marine Parade was once a magnificent crowded swimming beach - that is until the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake lifted the ground nearly three metres resulting in a sharp drop off. It’s still not recommended for swimming when the big Pacific swells roll in, but for six summer weeks of the year the beach is manned by lifeguards from the Pacific Surf Life Saving Club, and is a true forgotten beauty on a calm sunny day with views across to Cape Kidnappers. If you need to warm up after a swim, the Ocean Spa sits just behind with three big heated pools and bubbling hot spas. Kids often take advantage of a paddle in the Tom Parker Fountain, built in 1936. Whether you are swimming or not, the area is a destination in itself. With the wide-paved Rotary pathway meandering through it’s the ultimate place to promenade in true Belle Epoque style back dropped with Napier’s famous Art Deco accessories or sit under the pohutakawa trees beachside or on the great lawn and admire the Soundshell, public gardens and The Colonnade Memorial.

Who said Hawke’s Bay doesn’t have any great beaches? Waimarama and neighbouring Ocean Beach offer everything a coastal beach should have. Community amenities, fishing, boat launching, surfing, sounds of beach laughter, the squeal of boogie boarders and insitu professional life guards in peak season for safe swimming. As you climb over the last hill and descend into the valley you get a glimpse of the long stretch of white sand, rows of white breakers and the surreal sight of the sand-coloured cliffs of Bare Island in the distance. Around Christmas the crimson blaze of the pohutakawa trees are at their peak.

About an hour and half drive from Gisborne both private and Department of Conservation (DoC) campsites service this beautiful sheltered bay. The cost-effective DoC campsite is adjacent to the beach alongside a stream, surrounded by forest and coastal bush. Toilets are not provided so campers must have a chemical toilet and boil the water before drinking. There’s swimming, walking on the Anaura Bay Walkway at the northern end and more extensive tramping on the Mt Hikurangi Track, 80km north or Cooks Cove walkway 20km south. The Anaura Bay Family Motor Camp is also beachside and has a store and full amenities.

The stunning white-sand Makorori and Wainui Beach coastline stretches 4km and is a surfer’s and body boarder’s mecca, noted for consistent surf breaks. The population of the small settlement 8km north of Gisborne increases dramatically over summer as the holiday baches fill up. There are lots of small reserves leading down to the beach, which is patrolled for safe swimming near the Wainui Surf Lifesaving Club, a choice of family picnicking areas and two children’s playgrounds. The locals ride their horses along the beach and walking tracks meander through the coastal dunes, where there is a memorial grave to the 59 sperm whales that stranded in 1970.

Clear blue waters lap both sides of this extensive farm-based peninsula on a calm day. It’s a short detour from the Gisborne-Napier Pacific Coast Highway and is known for fishing, diving, kayaking, surfing and swimming. It doesn’t matter which way the wind is blowing because you’ll find a sheltered beach on one side. Black’s Beach black-sand faces south with views to Napier, along with the more sheltered white-sanded Opoutama. Whereas Mahanga Beach and The Reefs face north toward Gisborne. Accommodation is plentiful with many choices and there are dining and pub options.

Tumeke Cycle Space is a not for profit bicycle workshop just off K’Rd. Anybody can roll along and be equipped with the necessary skills to fix their own ride and cruise back off into the glorious Auckland sunset.

It’s no secret that I love my Newton neighbourhood and the leafy green jewel in the crown is Myer’s Park. On your descent of the stairs from St Kevin’s Arcade the splendid grounds of Myer’s Park are revealed, as well as a number of iconic inner city buildings. The flat grassy area at the top, under the sprawling branches of the trees, is the perfect place to sit in the sun and have lunch or coffee. Travel further down the winding path and you will find a number of other idyllic spots to relax in and take in the serenity of this inner city park.

If you're at a loss for something to do during the weekend why not head down to Britomart and check out this ever evolving city precinct. It's pretty spot on a sunny day and there is a farmers market to browse on a Saturday morning with plenty of cafes to keep you fed and watered. I am keen to try The Store and Milse and definitely want to have another meal at Ortolana. The shopping is excellent with Zambesi, Kate Sylvester, World, Karen Walker and Black Box rubbing shoulders and the Atrium on Takutai has MAC, Kiehl's, Jo Malone and L'Occitane for makeup, body and scents. If you don't fancy some shopping you can while away and hour in the sun on the grass by the fountain - perhaps with a coffee from one of the excellent cafes in the area.

I am not much of a swimmer but I love the Point Erin Pools. It is set in a beautiful park at the edge of Herne Bay in a modernist building and seems very far away from the city even though it is ten minutes away. There is a competition pool for those serious about the sport of swimming but also a dive pool, playground and family spa for mucking about in and generally having a good time in the sun. 

I love taking people from out of town to St Kevin's Arcade. Not only is it a beautiful building but it has an ambience that is unique. You can browse the shops that line the atrium or sit down for coffee or lunch at one of the two cafes and people watch. One of my favourite aspects of it is the wonderful view out of the huge bay window looking out on to Myers Park and beyond to the Sky Tower.

For me one of the best days out has to be to hire a bike and enjoy the new cycle paths Auckland has to offer…From taking them just for fish and chips to Mission Bay/ St Heliers to a full day out to Waiheke Island so I can tour the winery!

I Love bikes….and i love going to Woodhill to try out the trails…all well sign posted and a great set up if you like an adventure for all levels of bikers!

I love a walk around the Zoo…Its great value for money as i could spend all day there!

Get a Fullers ferry to this island… You can walk it by yourself or get the $5 guided tour which will teach you all about the birds and wildlife being re introduced to the island… Have a hike around…learn something….And take a picnic as theres no shop….Which i really like….sometimes….

Some much to love about Takapuna beach. Me? I like to cycle there from the CBD via the Devonport Ferry, then relax on the beautiful long beach with an ice cream. But there is lots of paddle boarding and watersports activities there to keep you entertained

The majesty of Kiwi history and culture

Kids being kids in the fountain

Free for kids!!

Watching a ‘slice of Kiwi culture’ on a lazy Sunday arvo playing & walking past you.

Safe swimming spot close to the CBD. Another ‘slice of kiwi life’ as peeps of all creeds co-habitat on blankets, weaved flax mats and picnic tarps.

A long spacious golden sand mild west Auckland beach! Great for the kids, together with a loooonnnnnggg wide stretch of mowed grass for cricket, frisbee, soccer touch, volleyball etc. Several changing rooms and loos and freshwater showers just off the beach. Tons of shade under the pohutakawas that strech along the miles of beach. Best 2 hours either side of high tide (just Google it).

She’s free to Aucklanders. Take a household bill and they’ll sort you out a free card to to flash each time you come. Craft activities for the kids need a gold coin donation. free lockers in the Kai room above the atrium, or the bagcheck in the foyer. Loads to see. Great on a wet day or if you’re too sunned out.

Free entry. Free kids activities on the first floor. Have a wander around but don’t touch! The cafe is very good - the sausage rolls are probably the best in Auckland, and then there’s the scones…. But if you just want coffee use the expresso bar on the top floor as there’s hardly ever a queue. Free compulsory bag check but cameras allowed and keep your sunnies for sprawling on the curvy bench on the back of the top floor. Choice bro.

Devonport. She’s free, mate. TAKE CARDBOARD. Drive to the top or park at the bottom and follow the spiral path to the summit with older kids. Awesome views, great for a picnic. Slide down the sides on your cardboard like a boss. You’ll find plenty of slide tracks the locals use, fast, slow, the odd jump, evn one for the littlies. Make like a local and have a fab time, The kids will remember this one :) Do the decent thing and put some money into the local economy by buying them all an iceblock afterwards. Priceless.

Or any swimming pool. Kids are free, you can even take your own food and drinks. hydroslide is an extra $2 that you need to pay on entry - the wristband then gives unlimited slides, although there’s usually a 5 min queue. Try Mount Albert if you’re not out west or the Parnell Pools in the summer if your kids are little (take a sun shelter tho)

Great bio!

Awesome experience

Favorite beach

Great walk

Beautiful views

Cool vibe, amazing food

Best Ice creams to share

Outdoors and great views

out doors and feels very tropical

close and fun

Great horse treks and horseback riding place.

Country horse treks.

Just 45 minutes from Auckland

Horse riding with farm stay.

Spent a lovely, lazy day at Narrow Neck beach - found a shaded spot just above the sand for a family picnic, and after all the swimming was done (and food demolished!), we moved to the park across the road to bring out the soccer ball. It's a safe beach with a great atmosphere.

Love this place, especially the weekend summer markets- Saturday/Sunday, 12pm-6pm. Digging through the piles of vintage clothing, accessories, and downright oddities is both fun and rewarding- there's everything from cheap art prints to sunglasses. The food stalls right next door are also irresistible and there are often free Swing dancing lessons in front of them, it's just all very cute.

Loving the summer vibe, lounging in the sun on the giant pillows and chairs is a no-fuss and no-pay way to catch up with friends.

A seriously good way to spend a sweltering day - sun, swimming and no sand to cover all your belongings till next Winter. Exploring the (apparently) haunted ruins alongside the waterhole is another adventure in itself.

These guys started as a New Zealand’s first surf tour company of its kind. NZST evolved over the years originally offering only a One Day Surf Tour and Surf School to 7 Day Surf Tours and finally they finally they took on the winter months and since 2004 offer skiing and snowboarding tours. The name changed naturally from New Zealand Surf Tours to New Zealand Surf and Snow Tours and currently to RAPU. Just for you to know Rapu means in Maori language ‘to seek’, which describes ultimately what is this crew about - seeking adventure. They are operating in small groups and once you know you want go - they’ll they you how and what to do there! Plus, their prices are very competitive. Check them out on their website: www.rapuadventures.com

Sarah Cate is your girl. She knows the Tongariro Crossing from upside down. She’s all about the safety too - and when she feels it’s safe to go up - you’re going to have a blast seeing the beauty of the hike like anytime before. This is for those who are hikers - it’s hard hike - even though everybody is talking about it, it’s still hard. So if you want to do it make sure you are fit and ready. Tour costs $185.00pp which includes all equipment (you can basically walk in with flipflops and she’ll gear you up from hat and gloves, jackets and pants, to boots), transport & Guides. http://www.adventureoutdoors.co.nz/#/tongariro-crossing-in-winter/4569766115

Did you know Mt.Ruapehu is not only about skiing or snowboarding? Give tobogganing or sledding a go. Whakapapa and Turoa Ski Fields have amazing sledging slides and it’s lots of fun, if you are not a skier or snowboarder but still want to have snow fun! Either you arrange it yourself or you can check Rapu Adventures again. Those guys are not specializing in skiing or snowboarding trips, but at Weekend Snow Tours which include transport, accommodation, food (breakfast and dinner) and they arrange any special activities on top you want.

The regional park has a beach is a pretty good place to walk through with the sand dunes on one side, the ocean on the other, the sunny sky right above and the warm sands beneath your feet.

The park has a gazebo giving tranquil views of lush greenery, buildings and the landmarks that represents Auckland’s history.

The mountain has very scenic views of the Auckland CBD, Rangitoto Island and nearby suburbs that’s simply spectacular and it’s an unique place where learn the history of New Zealand’s coastal defences.

Wonderful walkways a great café as well as ducks to feed - what more could you ask for except a sunny day?

Wonderful exhibits for all ages all housed in a true Auckland landmark.

Make sure you go on the 3rd Sunday of every month so that you can ride the train at the Aircraft display, if you are lucky you can ride in a tank as well....

Looks great after the refurbishment and they kept the river and the hydro slide, great for those kids of all ages with a love of water.

Not a zoo in the old fashioned sense, lots of up close animal experiences and the new NZ area is fantastic especially for those of us that love Keas.