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)