News and Views

Free WiFi in Auckland

There are a large number of places where you will find free WiFi in Auckland City. Whether you do not want to spend money on a travel sim card or you are here only for a brief stay, do not worry here are some local tips on finding reliable and free WiFi in Auckland City.

Auckland City’s free WiFi service is called AucklandWiFi@Tomizone. Found in public spaces across the city, all users have 30 minutes per day, per device. Once this time limit has been exhausted, you may continue to use by opting to pay a fee. 

Check below for the list of where the Tomizone WiFi can be located:

CBD
-  Aotea Square
-  North Wharf
-  Queen Street
-  Queens Wharf
-  Viaduct Harbour
-  Wynyard Quarter

Train Stations:
-  Britomart
-  Glenn Innes
-  Kingsland
-  Morningside
-  New Lynn
-  Newmarket

 Main Streets:
-  Devonport
-  Dominion Road
-  Karangahape Road
-  Kingsland
-  Mission Bay
-  Mt Eden Village
-  Onehunga
-  Otahuhu
-  Parnell
-  Ponsonby
-  St Heliers
-  Takapuna

Other facilities:
-  Auckland Art Gallery.
-  Auckland Libraries.
-  Mount Albert Recreation & Community Centre
-  Westfield Shopping Centres

Most community centres across the city will have a free WiFi on access. Wi-Fi services are also available at the Auckland Art Gallery and Auckland Botanic Gardens.

Another simple option is popping into one of the many Auckland cafes. A sign will either be in clear view or go up and ask one of the friendly waiters. This option is a nice way of being able to sit down, enjoy a drink (maybe a treat from the cabinet too) and embrace the Auckland lifestyle. Local workers have really embraced the free WiFi in cafes and can/will spend hours at a time working on files while sipping away on their flat white.   

Trying to research and google where to go on holiday can be a total hassle. The best way to see a new city is strolling the back streets with a knowlegable local. It’s the perfect way to find your feet instead of wasting half your trip looking for some good WiFi. So book our Hello Auckland or Taste Auckland walking tours to get the real deal on where to eat, shop and go. 

References: Repurposed from Hello Auckland website

Auckland's Best Fish and Chips?

One of the most common questions we get asked by visitors is ‘where can we try some really good Kiwi fish and chips?’

It’s widely known that New Zealand produces some of the best seafood or kaimoana in the world and Friday night ‘fish’n’chips’ is a long time tradition in many Kiwi households. But many of the takeaway joints or seafood restaurants the locals’ frequent are out in the ‘burbs which is inconvenient for visitors. So here’s our list of the top five fish and chip places in central Auckland, based on our genuine independent and unbiased opinion. 

The Brewers Co-Operative - Victoria Street West

What goes better with fish & chips than craft beer. The Brewers Co-Operative has a large selection of quality Kiwi craft beers. With new brews regularly appearing, the kitchen offers a perfect pairing with the classic fish and chips. This local treat is wrapped in traditional newspaper, battered with a side of tartare and lemon - just how the locals like it. If you want a twist on our Kiwi classic though, the fish burger, fish taco or even fish curry are all available.

Oceanz -  Wynyard Quarter

Set alongside the Auckland fish market, you can be assured of fresh fish here.  What the outdoor eating area lacks in ambience is offset by the knowledge that Auckland’s commercial fishing trawlers offload the catch of the day right out front. Also it’s where the locals line up most weekends for their take away fish and chips. Grab a single-serve box of battered or crumbed fish, slather your chips with tomato sauce and head for North Wharf. Savor your lip-smacking takeaways while dangling your legs over the wharf’s edge and admire the Harbour views. Watch out for the greedy seagulls though!

The CrabShack - Princess Wharf

A cross between a waterfront pub and seafood shack, this eatery specialises in seafood. Crabs, fish, mussels, tuatuas and much more. But we’re focussed on their ‘fush’n’chups’ as us Kiwis say. And the CrabShack doesn’t disappoint especially as the fish comes beer-battered with tartare sauce and their specialty ‘Shack slaw'. Your table comes with enjoyable views across to Queens Wharf, the Cloud and Auckland’s ferry terminal. 

The Seafood Kitchen - Elliott Stables, Elliot Street

One of the few midtown eateries serving Kiwi-style beer battered fish and chips.  But also so much more from pan-fried fish in lemon butter to coconut-marinated Kokonda to crispy-skinned Hapuka. Don’t be put off by the food court setting, this place is seriously good, blending Pasifika flavours with craft-style cooking. The Head Chef is a Kiwi who was trained in New Zealand and has over 20 years of craft food experience in Australasia.

Harbour Side - Ferry Building, Quay Street

Market fish, hand cut chips, mushy peas, baby cos, lemon and tartare sauce. This is Harbourside’s signature fish and chips. Arguably Auckland’s best located seafood restaurant, Harbourside showcases the freshest seasonal produce and the best views of the harbour. It’s where local seafood lovers go for a special occasion or to take visitors they wish to impress. Highly recommended for a slap-up meal and excellent service.

Of course, this Kiwi classic meal features on many restaurant menus around the city. But we like the fact that all the featured eateries are also within walking distance of the popular city hotels where visitors stay. We love recommending great places to eat and drink on our Hello Auckland walking tour so hop on board to discover where the locals' go.

Best Auckland Museums

Come and explore the history and culture of our beautiful country New Zealand by visiting one of our world-class museums. Pop in for an hour or two or turn it into a half day excursion ending with a relaxing picnic at one of Auckland's many picturesque spots. Challenge yourself and discover the process that made New Zealand what it is today. These are our top three Museums in Auckland, all within walking distance of the city centre. 

Auckland Art Gallery 
The Auckland Art Gallery or Toi O Tamaki means ‘our treasure house’. 
The Auckland Art Gallery is regarded as the world home or wharenui of New Zealand art. This superbly designed gallery views itself as custodians or kaitiaki of the art in their care. 

Home to around 20,000 pieces of art going back around 700 years but only 800 pieces are normally displayed.  Works of famous New Zealand artists like Charles Goldie, Ralph Hotere and Colin McCahon are on public display instead of hidden away in private homes or personal vaults. 

One of only two Picassos in New Zealand resides on the walls of the Auckland Art Gallery. The other Picasso is in Dunedin. Painted during the Nazi occupation of Paris in 1944, ‘Verre et Pichet’, a still-life of a table setting (sans food) isn’t regarded as one of Picasso’s best works but it does symbolize the dark years of deprivation experienced during the Second World War.
The Gallery runs one hour tours daily (except Xmas Day) at 11.30am and 1.30pm at a very reasonable charge of $10.
Find out more about the Auckland Art Gallery here

Auckland War Memorial Museum
Delve into the stories and the history behind our beautiful home - Aotearoa. Housed in one of Auckland's most iconic buildings, the neo-classical style sits blissfully atop the grassy remnants of a dormant volcano. Come and learn about a range of topics from New Zealand geology to Maori culture and our war history. Decorative arts and pictorial collections also have a prominent feature in this museum. 

This museum has served as a place of remembrance since 1929 for those who sacrificed their lives for war. A powerful and informative collection of war memorials will interest any budding historian. 
Explore and be apart of the Maori culture and join a guided tour that includes a culture performance by the local iwi/tribe Ngati Whatau. An engaging, thrilling version of the world-famous Haka, followed by a meet and greet will cost only $20 for an adult. 

The Auckland Museum is daily from 10am - 5pm (except Xmas Day) and will cost international adult visitors $25. A superb day trip, ending with a picnic in tranquil Auckland Domain overlooking stunning views of the harbour. 
Find out more about the Auckland War Memorial here 

Auckland Maritime Museum 
Set sail and discover the stories that helped to shape our nautical nation. 
Explore New Zealand’s largest maritime collection and be transported by stories of epic voyages. Visit the Landfalls exhibition detailing the pioneering voyages that shaped the early history of New Zealand settlements. 
New Beginnings where you will meet the immigrants that braved our rough oceans to thrive on our hostile land. 
Or visit a tribute to one of our most recognised New Zealanders - Sir Peter Blake. The exhibition Blue Water, Black Magic explores the history of Americas Cup and New Zealand’s exceptional yachting success.

Get hands on and hoist the sails, batten down the hatches, work on your yacht designing skills and hear the cannon sound. Take your relationship with the sea a step further and set sail with the Museum’s fully restored heritage scow (named Ted Ashby). This one-hour voyage of Auckland harbour will provide you with spectacular views of the Harbour Bridge and our great “city of sails”. 

The Ted Ashby sets sail six days a week (Tuesday - Sunday) and will cost $53 (Children: $27) which includes entrance to the Museum. If you don’t feel like braving the windy Waitemata Harbour entrance to the Museum will only cost $20. 
Find out more about the Auckland Maritime Museum here 

Join us on a private Aucky Walky tour and we’ll include a short visit to one of these Museums - the choice is yours!.  We know where the best art and culture can be found and enjoyed in the central city.  

References: Repurposed from Auckland Maritime Museum, Auckland War Memorial Museum and the Auckland Art Gallery website. 

Hidden Auckland - six things we love to do

Many visitors rush through Auckland using it as a gateway to the Bay of Islands or south to the thermal wonderland of Rotorua. But that’s not doing justice to this fascinating city squeezed between two of the world’s most picturesque harbours. In fact delve deep into the city centre and there’s a number of hard-to find-treats and treasures the locals’ love. And being Aucklanders we like to spend a penny to save a pound - meaning we like to be entertained for very little!  Here’s six ways to delight in Auckland’s hidden finds without denting the credit card.

A mocktail at De Bretts, corner Shortland and High Streets For just $10, you can enjoy a mocktail at one of Auckland’s most stylish hard-to-find bars. Imagine sipping a grapefruit and raspberry cooler, De Brett’s blend of grapefruit, raspberry juice, mint and fresh lime, in the art-deco inspired elegance of the hotel’s House Bar. 
Built as The Commercial Hotel in 1841, it was one of Auckland’s first hotels. The Commercial survived two fires, and two rebuilds, before the current De Brett’s was erected in 1925 and extensively remodeled in 2007. If only those walls could talk, what stories they could tell!
 
Admire art at the Vero Centre and relax on their sea view terrace.  
Stroll into the lobby of New Zealand’s tallest commercial tower and you’ll be confronted with a huge wheel-like sculpture, Andrew Drummond’s Assignation Device. The wonder continues up the escalator with a Gretchen Albrecht’s Pohutukawa painting  in prime view.  The building lobby and first floor is open to the public on weekdays and includes access to a lovely terraced garden with a snippet-like sea view and a wondrous grove of Nikau trees. 

The vast scale of the major artworks commissioned from top New Zealand contemporary artists is outstanding. At the time of commissioning, each of these pieces were the largest that the artist had ever created.

A sneaky pastry at L’Assiette. Surely one of downtown’s best little bakery cafes and a perfect slice of Parisian decadence to boot. We sampled a hazelnut-filled choux pastry which melted in the mouth. Definitely worth a visit  - grab a table outside and watch the world stroll by.

The rooftop garden at 56 Wakefield Street.  Now home to the AUT School of Tourism, just enter the lobby and take the lift to the 17th floor (Monday to Friday) for some of the best free’ views of downtown Auckland. It’s a great place to snooze, sunbake, have a picnic and take selfies. When we visited, we had the place to ourselves. Surprise and delight your mates or family next time you’re in town as it’s just up the hill from the Aotea Centre.

Jason Books at 16 O'Connell Street. This hidden gem is one of Auckland’s best secrets. In need of a good book during your travels or a good rainy day adventure, retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city streets and explore this expansive second hand book store. Hunt through over 30,000 well read and well loved books that share a story of their own.  

Dinner for less - Pay what you want at St Kevin’s Arcade
This social project feeds people on Monday nights. A team of voluntary Chefs working out of the Gemmayze St kitchen on K’Road transform rescued food into restaurant quality meals for Aucklanders from all walks of life. You turn up and pay what you feel like. Nice one!

One of the best ways to discover more hidden haunts is to do our small-group Hello Auckland walking tour. Or better still book a private walking tour for either yourself, your clients or visitors to enjoy the very best the city has to offer. 
 

Auckland's Best Bars 

You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink, as the saying goes. Well you’d have to a be a right donkey not to slake your thirst at one of these locally loved bars in central Auckland. From bespoke cocktails to curated wine lists and the most impressive gin selection in New Zealand, there’s a watering hole for everyone. Craft beer your thing? Not a problem as brewers exist right in the heart of the city too.

Here’s a selection of our favourite bars, listed A-Z, all within easy walking distance so you can make a night of it. We've sampled their atmos, service, drinks list and bar food personally. They’ve also coincidentally made the top 50 list of Auckland’s Metro magazine, a leading influencer. We’ll be the first to say that there’s many other outstanding bars in town, it’s just we haven’t tried them yet! .

 1. Coley and Punch - Princess Wharf, Quay St.
Named after Ada Coleman, the famous bartender at the Savoy of London, our C&P bartender certainly impressed when we asked for a bespoke cocktail with a gingery, lime flavour! Ten out of ten for presentation too with a great harbourside setting. 

2.  The Caretaker - 38 Roukai lane, Britomart 
Your bartender will interview you on your preferences - sweet or sour? Creamy or refreshing? Then design a cocktail to suit in this hard-to-find cosy underground bar.  A destination experience.

3. The Chamberlain + Talulah - 120 Quay St, Viaduct Harbour
British-themed craft beers, board games and live sport while upstairs Talulah’s is a lively Pacific-rim bar with a portside view. Try both!

4. Deadshot - 45 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby
Prepare to be blown away by these cocktail creations. From the team behind Caretaker, this bars dark and moody atmosphere offers a unique setting, that pairs well with their daring drinks.  

5. Dr Rudi’s - Corner of Quay and Customs St, Viaduct Harbour 
Possibly the best terrace deck and harbour views in the city. The beer’s brewed on-site and the pizzas are great too. Includes free bowling lanes for added entertainment!

6. Saturdays - 48 Customs Street East
Celebrate the best day of the week, all week long! Saturdays is a fun and lively spot perfect for all occasions. Grab some food at Royal-G, a hole in the wall creating Indian street food bites with an American twist. Serving “grab and go” sharing food, Saturdays has designed a cocktail list that specifically compliments these dishes. 

7. Holey Moley - 204 Quay St, Viaduct Harbour
This part bar, part mini-golf playground is a whole lot of fun. You can’t not have a smile on your face as you putt around a 27-hole course and sip on a ‘putta coloda’ or ‘sugar caddy’ cocktail. A true novelty experience.

8. Hotel De Brett House Bar - 2 High St, Central City
A very cosy boutique bar featuring an open fireplace and stunning open atrium. It’s a local secret for a pre-dinner or theatre aperitif.  Great lunch menu too.

9. Mezze Bar - 9 Durham St East, Central City
Treat yourself to an expansive list of tapas and mezze. Sip on Spanish and New Zealand wine, maybe a Sangria or Sherry too. This inner-city haven is a perfect spot to unwind or wait for an upcoming Aotea show.

10. Vulture’s Lane - 10 Vulcan Lane, Central City
Taking its name from the precinct’s red light heritage, this bar has 22 rotating taps of craft beer and a great bottled beer selection too. Try the kumara hot chips.

Many of these establishments are en route on our Hello Auckland walking tour. So work up a thirst with us then dive into the city’s thriving bar scene for a warm welcome and a local brew or two. You won’t be disappointed.