Auckland

As New Zealand's most populous city, Auckland boasts a vibrant creative metropolis with a stunning volcanic landscape that's straddled by two oceans.

Auckland - Places | Exceptional ALIEN

‘This coastline is home to the most beautiful coastal walks — hundreds of tracks within the Waitakere. Cascade Falls is a really lovely track, where you can jump in the waterhole and cool off before heading back.’

Nature

Cascade Kauri

‘You can't come to Auckland and not go to the Ōtara Market. It has every kind of Māori and Pasifika kai that you could think of. It's an amazing and organic cultural experience.’

Food & Drink

Ōtara Market

‘I love taking visitors on the ferry over to Waiheke Island so we can head to the vineyards, on the beach walks and to the great restaurants, it's beautiful. There's all manner of accommodation if you'd like to stay for a while, or you can go for a day trip.’

‘One of the best things about Auckland is a little island called Waiheke, which is 40 minutes from my door. The proximity, and the fact that it's not completely overdeveloped, is astonishing to me.’

Waiheke Island

‘Britomart is a fashion district that houses some of New Zealand’s and the world’s most well-established fashion brands. It has been cleverly curated by Jeremy Priddy into a village of sophisticated, eclectic and mindful brands that operate together more like ‘whānau’ than commercial lease neighbors.’

Britomart

‘The Caretaker is nestled in Britomart's underground. It’s a moody bar that serves up custom cocktails, and you simply let the waiter know what flavors you prefer and they create a cocktail especially curated to your taste — they are primo!’

Caretaker

‘The best fish and chips shop in Auckland is in Glen Innes, called Marsic Bros. If you ask anyone from Glen Innes, they will know Marsic Bros, and if they don't, they're lying about being from Glen Innes.’

Marsic Bros

‘I have a special little place that I love in Glen Innes called Chocola, that serves up authentic Mexican ‘kai’ — it is so good! Best Mexican in Auckland. It's in this tiny little place hidden behind a hospice [secondhand store], which is also one of the best hospice stores in Auckland.’

Chocola

‘If you’re in Tāmaki you can see a collection of historical European fashion and you can view traditional ‘korowai’, ‘kākahu’ and woven pieces in the Māori gallery in the war museum. Alternatively, I'd suggest you see if the New Zealand Fashion Museum has exhibitions on.’

Culture

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Listen

Kiri Nathan shares her travel gems on where to visit when in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

Kiri Nathan - Travel Playbooks | Exceptional ALIEN

Auckland with Kiri Nathan

Aotearoa–born fashion designer Kiri Nathan is the force behind her eponymous label, which champions the heritage and future of Māori creativity.

People

Kiri NATHAN

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About Kiri NATHAN

Travel Playbooks and Stories