Perfect place to kick back and enjoy an incomparable gourmet big breakfast. Boy may be nursing a hangover, I am just hungry.

This is the best possible place to soak in Auckland. A bit of a drive but so affordable, so hot, so relaxing. You can get fish and chips and a beer there too. Best kept "secret" in Auckland but I think the word may be out judging by the influx of hipsters of late! Ah well, the more the merrier.

Lovely Sunday date spot and full of nostalgia for me as I used to work there! Lovely art deco surrounds, lovely ice cream and well curated cinematic offerings.

Fancy a bit of opp-shopping on a Sunday? Usually you would be fresh out of luck but SaveMart is open seven days. Much more picked over of late (I'm looking at you, KRd op shops), but bargains can still be found.

This is a slightly less exciting thing to do on a Sunday but since I work all the time I rarely have time to buy essentials like tights or socks. Therefore, I tend to go for a Sunday Farmer's run every month or so. Farmers is a weirdly enjoyable browse however! I always wind up with some cheap but solid purchases.

If it's a top to toe makeover you need to start at the top! I have been going to Raven for nearly 10 years and no matter what hairdresser I get (I'm not fussy and always book at the last moment) I am sure to get a stylish and flattering cut. It's family owned too, which I think is pretty cool.

I'm not a big makeup wearer (apart from on my eyebrows, which are always coloured in). Despite this, I love visiting Mecca Cosmetica with my mum on our weekend hang-outs. They have this very modern store which is almost laboratory like where gorgeously made up (but not over the top) women can help you find your foundation unicorn. They also have an excellent online store.

Widdess has the loveliest dainty jewellery handmade by various artesans including Bella from Hydrangea Ranger. Perfect place to find something special for your neck or finger, ears or wrists.

If you need a makeover head to Tatty's for a showstopping designer outfit that doesn't cost the earth!

What makeover would be complete without some new shoes? Mischief has a range of styles, brands and price points which makes it the perfect place to find both a pair of fast fashion clompers and a timeless Italian made "forever" shoe.

I love the French Art Shop. Helpful staff members and amazing stock for the artist (amateur or otherwise) who wants to play with the best materials. Get your fill of 100% cotton paper and European watercolours. 

See a mummy, explore a Pa, check out our pioneering past and best of all see how you compare in height to an emperor penguin (I'm shorter). So much to see at Auckland Museum, you'll need to set aside a whole day.

Auckland City Library is a haven for fiction, non fiction, DVDs, music, graphic novels and more! Pore over some books in their comfortable premises and expand your mind in peace.

My boyfriend and I went to Butterfly Creek over the weekend and it was awesome - age be damned. HUGE crocodiles, monkeys, tropical butterflies and creepy crawlies combined to create the perfect date spot for a Saturday afternoon. The petting zoo is out of this world. I loved cuddling the bunnies and patting the pigs and feeding the grumpy donkey! I don't even care that my boyfriend and I were the only people there with no children. 

So, who wants to see some penguins? Kelly's have penguins, but that's only the beginning. Learn about our national arctic heroes, walk beneath the sharks and if you book in for an overnight holiday programme you can even sleep with the fishes - literally!

This venue is an Auckland institution. I have seen Beirut here, Amanda Palmer, The Dresden Dolls, The Mint Chicks and Akron Family - among others! The courtyard is looking lovely with it's new fence-work and fairy lights, the crowd area is roomy yet intimate - this is a good place.

I used to work at the Power Station and it was pretty much like working for Empire Records. Very '80s chic, but hosts indie powerhouses like Grimes and Modest Mouse!

GD is a fun place to drink tasty drinks and boogie on down to their hot rotation of DJs. Toasty in winter, cool in summer. Get Anthonie to make your drink if you can, he's great.

This is a good place to squeeze past a whole bunch of sexy looking ladies and fellas in order to grab a drink, have a smoke and dance the night away. You're so damn close to everyone, it's no wonder this seems to be a good place to meet your next romantic interest.

Indie. Dirty. Hip hop. D.O.C is the hipster capital of Auckland. Dance here in your bindis, crop tops, chokers and platforms. You'll feel like you're in costume for a '90s party but these DJs play the Jacksons and Destiny's Child all night long, which is uncomfotably enjoyable.

Best value loyalty card for sushi lovers! Every tenth sushi is free - I recommend the double avocado and tuna - yummy!

This is our work staple, so close to the Localist office and so superlatively tasty! I adore the oyster sushi and the curry is absolutely top notch too. This is the best sushi takeaway joint in Auckland. Always packed, always amazing.

When I worked at the Lido Cinema I LOVED heading to Oki Doki (not just because of the hilarious name). The friendly staff made the BEST teriaki chicken and avocado sushi and always gave us cinema girls a free miso to go with it. Thanks Oki Doki from an old cinema broad.

This restauant is famous in Epsom as being the BEST Japanese in the 'burbs. Killer vibe, lovely food and so close to the cinema! Try the sashimi boat and the okonomiyaki - and of course the sushi!

We’d heard a lot about Mercury Plaza and their sushi - namely that it is insane value and extremely delicious! Curious, we headed there on a Sunday night and it is hands down the best food court experience I’ve had. Not fancy at all but you can buy a beer from the mini market and enjoy the delicious and cheap sashimi till your heart’s content.

We’d heard a lot about Mercury Plaza and their sushi - namely that it is insane value and extremely delicious! Curious, we headed there on a Sunday night and it is hands down the best food court experience I’ve had. Not fancy at all but you can buy a beer from the mini market and enjoy the delicious and cheap sashimi till your heart’s content.

My friends and I love going to Canton Cafe. The food is amazing, the price is super cheap and you can BYO! What more could you want?

So economical, so delicious. My pick of the bunch is Malaysian laksa or roti canai. The depth of flavour is utterly unbelievable!

We love New Flavour! The dumplings are amazing, the eggplant and kumara are a must order - and free green tea! Perfect place for a massive group hang which will never set you back more than $15 per person. Beware the dumpling burps however!