We enter Te Wao Nui through the walkway under the huge replica rib cage and find ourselves at ‘The Coast’. Eager to discover, we push forward and come across absolutely adorable and incredibly curious Fur Seals. These guys are so entertaining, watching them sit out of the water and look like they’re almost dancing to seeing their gracefulness in the water, from the underground viewing bay.

Heading onwards, we see the smallest penguins in the world. Commonly known as the “Little Blue Penguin” (or Korero), these are so cute! We were in luck seeing them enjoy a nice morning swim.

Next are ‘The Islands’. This amazing landscape has been set out to imitate the rugged islands scattered alongside the New Zealand coastline. We saw geckos, skinks and parakeets but the standout inhabitant was the famous Tuatara. The last survivors of a family of reptiles that lived when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. We immediately notice its’ incredible markings and textured skin. It’s sad that a creature so beautiful is endangered but at the same time, it’s amazing that organisations such as Auckland Zoo exist because they make it their duty to help with the prevention of tragedies such as extinction.

We move on to, ‘The High Country’. This is one of my favourite enclosures simply for the beauty of it. Home to the cheeky and mischevious Kea, we are surrounded by rocks, a waterfall and stream. It is so peaceful and relaxing.



We spot the Kea chilling out on the rocks around us. In the wild, there are about 3,000 to 5,000 left. They are known to nest in high grounds and have a wavering relationship with humans due to their love of curious things such as cars and peoples’ belongings!

It’s time to go bush! We head into the massive aviary known as ‘The Forest’ and learn lots about New Zealand’s forest birds such as the Wood Pigeon, Tui & Bellbird! These are beautiful and surprisingly easy to spot. The Wood Pigeons are usually chilling out in the trees while the Tuis take to the skies singing their beautiful songs!

Tuis are very vocal and not at all afraid to swoop down from the tree tops, grab a delicious treat off the perch and fly off again. A truly amazing bird, and one of the smartest in the world. It’s amazingly refreshing taking in the natural surroundings, especially from the top viewing deck where you get a birds eye view of the entire enclosure.


We make our way back down and out, ready for the next area ‘The Wetlands’. This is a beautiful setting. A waterfall cascades down and takes you to another world – almost! The birdlife are right at home, and it paints the perfect picture for the main inhabitant of this kind of ecosystem – the eel.

We’re a bit biased when we say we saved the best for last, I mean – of course we’re going to get super excited about seeing the Kiwi! This amazing flightless bird that represents our country in so many ways deserves a special mention! As we make our way up the path into the pitch black darkness, we feel our eyes begin to adjust.. we enter and OH MY GOSH! The Kiwi is right by the glass, this is amazing! We are pleasantly surprised as we were expecting it to be tricky to spot! Its’ right out in the open digging around the leaves with its beak for bugs. We are fascinated and decide to spend a fair few minutes watching. How sad it is that pests like wild cats, dogs and stoats are diminishing the population of Kiwi in the wild. Here at Auckland Zoo, a programme exists called “O.N.E” or ‘Operation Nest Egg’. Volunteers work relentlessly to bring Kiwi eggs in and hatch them, then rehabilitate the Kiwi chicks back into their habitat – this has been done well over 300 times and is proving to be a real success!


Leaving the Kiwi enclosure, it is safe to say I feel a hundred times closer to home and a sense of real pride. For locals & tourists, this is a must-see – a refreshing new way to see our little slice of paradise!

Once you’ve made your way around Te Wao Nui, why not visit the other amazing wildlife that live here too! Here are some snaps we took on the day…

You can never spend too long at Auckland Zoo – luckily it’s open 7 days a week. We guarantee you won’t be disappointed! Take it from the meerkat above, just chill and enjoy this wonderful experience!

We head down the ramp which is split into two lanes. One for ‘walk-in’ visitors and the other, for those who have paid online prior to their arrival – something I would definitely recommend doing to avoid waiting and to also nab that cheaper deal!

Before you’ve even begun to explore, you’re immediately immersed in another world – a much colder Antarctic one with a huge “Snow Trac” parked in the main entranceway. We are greeted by friendly faces and warm smiles and given a lanyard along with a map to guide us through and tell us when feeding times are. That’s it! We’re off!

We find ourselves in Scotts Hut, exactly like the one at Scott’s Base in Antarctica! It’s fascinating to see the clothing and bunk beds, various studying apparatus and a collection of rations. Some of these are authentic pieces from the base itself while others are replicas. The exhibit details Scott’s journey to the Antarctic.

Heading out of the hut, you will find a friendly photographer ready to capture some photos of you and your friends/family in front of a blue screen. Instructed to smile in one breath and then to “look scared” as a shark is coming from the right, you know that when you pick up the photos at the end of your visit, you’re in for a cool souvenir!

After your photos, take a walk across the bridge, through the turning tunnel which eventually leads you to the cheeky Gentoo and majestic King Penguins.

These birds are absolutely fascinating to watch. The Gentoo are playful and energetic, swimming around the tank or running in groups around the enclosure. They’re also extremely curious and more often than not, you’ll find them coming up to the glass to investigate who you are – perfect for photo opportunities! The King Penguins stand tall with their vibrant yellow markings, almost resembling men in tuxedos.

When it comes to love, nothing can come between a Gentoo penguin couple. They are monogamous for life. To win his true love, the male penguin presents her with a pebble, almost like a gift just like us humans! How cute is that?

An interesting fact we learned is that the breeding programme is extremely successful. No new penguins have been brought in to the enclosure since 1995. With 87 penguins in total, two new chicks born just before Christmas and another due around April 4th (keep your eyes peeled!), it’s easy to see why!

A quirky addition is the “Ice Challenge”, simply dip one of your hands into the ice-cold water and see if you can last 30 seconds – this is the temperature that the penguins swim in! Personally, I could only last 15 seconds before backing out!

Take a walk through NIWA Southern Oceans and see what a GIANT – but very much frozen – squid looks like, this thing is HUGE! It’s kinda scary to think that there are others like this in the oceans today! Eek!

Enjoy the grace of the jellyfish or wander through to the next space “Amazing Creations” which is open and bright! Launched in Summer, it allows kids and grown-ups alike to colour in a fish at one of the many stands. You then scan it and see your masterpiece come to life on a small screen before being magically projected to a bigger screen on the far wall, where it joins the other fish.

Starting to feel peckish? Why not grab a bite to eat and a refreshing drink to recharge for the second half of SEA LIFE? Even better, enjoy a live stingray feeding at the same time! The cafe is open to the public and has a great selection of food and drinks both hot and cold.

Elephant sharks share a tank with Puffer fish who are both equally peaceful and glide seamlessly around the enclosure. This tank is open and so getting that birds eye view is really amazing. Right next door are the HUGE Short tail Stingrays. We were fortunate enough to be there for feeding time, an entertaining spectacle – especially when they surface. You don’t fully grasp their size until they break the water!

As you walk down the ramp, you have the chance to grab another photo opportunity inside the replica jaws of a Megalodon – as if Great White Sharks weren’t big enough – these were GIGANTIC! I can’t help but imagine the terror of going for a swim at the beach if these still existed!

Reaching the bottom of the ramp, you find yourself at the first aquarium, Shark Zone. Step onto the conveyor belt for an awesome journey. Try not to scream as you find yourself surrounded by predators of the deep. Long, sleek Broadnose Seven Gill sharks swim past, looking deceptively harmless. With its wide eyes, jagged and incredibly sharp teeth – you spot the Sand Tiger Shark. These are massive! And as a fun fact, are actually made to look slightly smaller through the tunnel glass. That’s right! These are a third bigger in reality!

Had enough thrills? Well take a moment to relax as you move through the next tank, “Shipwreck Discovery”. This tank is used in the rehabilitation of turtles which makes it even more special. The fish are beautiful and harmoniously make their way around the tank. The turtles always seem somewhat curious and put on an amazing display of grace as they “fly” over the top of you. Take as many photos as you like but avoid using flash! We don’t want to startle these amazing creatures!

To continue your discovery, head into the Fish Gallery where you’ll find an array of different species. From a tropical tank featuring the all-time-favourite Clown Fish (more commonly known as ‘Nemo’) to tanks filled with Eels and Crayfish. There’s also a super intelligent Octopus, this guy was taught how to take pictures! Quite the Octographer!

With so much excitement, the best way to end this experience is with Seahorse Kingdom. Get ready to say “AWWWW” because these wee-littlies are adorable! My personal favourite are the Big Bellied Seahorses. Watching their fins flutter insanely fast is fascinating and I feel myself dreaming of a Seahorse companion!

Truly though, SEALIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Auckland are doing an amazing job of preserving marine wildlife and promoting the same message to the public – we highly recommend visiting!

Appo Hocton (Ah Poo Hoc Ting), first Chinese person to land in New Zealand in 1842.

“Ever since I moved to New Zealand at the age of 16, I’ve been trying hard to blend with Western society and embrace the Kiwi culture. I’d come up with a strategy to stay away from anything “too Chinese”, so I didn’t seem an outsider. However after going to this exhibition, my perspective has changed, and I now see the real meaning behind being Chinese in Aotearoa.

“What catches me most when I first enter the exhibition is the authenticity of Chinese culture it portrays. The wooden lattice acts like a window that frames the sight perfectly and gives us a snapshot of the history. The use of traditional Chinese characters brings that classical feel, and it’s very age appropriate. A row of displays on the wall forms a ‘wave outline’ that gives a sense of continuity. Each panel tells a unique story of Chinese immigrants since 1842, just 2 years after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. This makes me realise how far Chinese culture traces back, and how involved we are throughout New Zealand history. Really, being Chinese in Aotearoa is a part of being Kiwi. And the merger between 2 cultures can be spotted everywhere in our day-to-day life.

“I have to say, no matter how many times I visit this exhibition, I always get emotional and discover some new insights from seeing the beautiful and powerful images and reading the heart-warming stories behind them. One particular section that touches me this time is the comparison of occupations between the old generation and the new.

“Seeing how the older immigrants still make a living in more traditional industries such as laundry, supermarkets and gardening, as opposed to the younger people today with their privilege of western education and modern ideology, enabling them to strive in more innovative fields such as architecture, IT, and media, is overwhelming. This reminds me of how my parents sent me abroad, so I could have a better chance. Their love and support is unconditional.

Greengrocers were very much a family business, 1920. Alexander Turnbull Library

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“A splash of red leads you into another room of this exhibition, where more modern materials and artifacts are displayed. I really enjoy the audio stations in the centre, because it utilises another sense. Listening to real Chinese people speaking about their real experiences has a huge impact as the stories are not just about the good, but also the struggles we are facing. I believe everyone from all cultures can relate to this.

“Overall, Being Chinese in Aoeatora exhibition flows very well from the beginning to the end. Selected images are particularly outstanding and fascinating. They create a narrative throughout more than 170 years of New Zealand history. It’s educational, but not too serious. Also the interactive kiosks are fun and effectively connect the visitors, making it easy to relate to the stories.

Punters, Trentham races, Upper Hutt, 1959, by Ans Westra. Courtesy of Suit Gallery

This exhibition is definitely worth a visit, check it out soon!

Yi (China) and Kelly (Auckland) are blown away by the expansive world of Virtual Reality (VR) and the friendly staff who are passionate and extremely knowledgeable.

Kelly is up for it first and walks the Plank!

“My headset is comfortable, and completely adjustable to cater for my needs. Paired up with headphones that completely cancel out sound, I’m immersed in a virtual world where I find myself standing outside an elevator. Urged to walk into it, I use the controller to press the button to the top floor. The elevator begins to move. I reach the top floor, the doors open and OH MY GOSH! MY LEGS ARE SHAKING!

“As I look out  my heart is racing…. This has to be 20 floors up! Looking down I see skyscraper after skyscraper and with the motorway far below. Then I notice the plank… I also notice how narrow it is… I have to walk that?!

“Okay… You can do this… One foot after the other.. YOU’VE GOT TO DO THIS!

“I can see  “tiny” cars moving on the roads below and “miniature” people walking on the pathways. As I edge out at a glacial pace to the end of the plank, I realise there’s only one way down……..  and  that’s to JUMP! It’s difficult not to scream as “I free-fall” fast to the ground. Everything turns white.. and it’s over!

“I’VE NAILED IT and I’m up for the next challenge!

“This time it’s much more relaxing. I adjust my headset and dive into the depths of the ocean. I come face to face (actually it’s more like “eyeball to eyeball”) with a giant whale. He seems friendly enough as a swarm of beautiful irridescent jelly fish glide past lighting up the sea.

“Think I’ll go on holiday now and see what Google Earth has to offer. Wow – this is awesome I’ve just been across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Fran and now I’m in Rome right outside the Basilica.

“I just love it here but I’m not quite up to the zombies yet – Yi’s turn to face his fears!!!!!”

Yi is geared up and ready to take on any zombie! He’s a past master of Fruit Ninja (they’ve got that here too)

“I wonder if I can survive a zombie apocalypse and now here I am putting my survival instincts to the test! I wave the controller, as instructed, to start the game.

“Immediately the full horror surrounds and overcomes me as I enter a drenched and run down world. My adrenalin is pumping as blood thirsty zombies come towards me in waves from all angles. Thank goodness I was given a weapon and torch! Without them, I’d basically be dinner laid out on a table! I notice how realistic the items are, from the weapons to my surroundings as well as the actions required to play the game. I will need to reload my gun when I run out of ammunition and switch the torch on and off to preserve its’ battery.

“There are many game modes and settings across the board to choose from and I soon discover that survival mode is my favourite!

“As I select it from the menu, I find myself in a dark and dingy tunnel. I look around and realise I’m completely alone. My senses all seem to be heightening, the anticipation I feel is SO REAL! Not knowing where the zombies are going to come from first, I look around frantically checking every direction. I hear a noise and turn, I see this huge mutated zombie emerging from the darkness, running towards me. His mouth is oozing with blood. I scream and dodge! My vision turns red in no time and I realise I’ve been hit. I quickly aim and shoot, emptying my round but to no avail – GAME OVER!

“A tip for you future zombie apocalypse survivalists, is that the torch can be used as an effective weapon should you run out of ammo! So something I’ve always wondered is finally answered. I probably wouldn’t survive a zombie apocalypse. I’m too much of a screamer and not enough of a slasher!”

Virtual Reality Studio is split into a contrast of modernism and nostalgia. After you’ve experienced some VR and need a bit of downtime, why not take a trip down memory lane? Enter the side room and you’ll find classic arcade gaming stations along with consoles such as Sega, Nintendo and PlayStation set-up on retro classroom desks ready to play with Sonic, Mario, Crash Bandicoot and more!

The Studio is located in Mount Roskill, just 25 minutes from Auckland’s City Centre. A nifty location, you’ll find car parking is hassle-free and access is easy.

It’s equipped with seven booths – all with their own computers, VR headgear, headphones and controllers. Cords are suspended from above to allow for extra manoeuvrability so you can really get into it!

SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Head over to Virtual Reality Studio in Mount Roskill today! Take the kids, book that stag do, this venue really can cater for anyone’s needs!

 
Once upon a time there was a beautiful walking track (Aotea) on a beautiful island not too far away from Auckland. Many people enjoyed the wondrous nature track full of spectacular landscapes with a rich history. Unfortunately in 2014 (the year Kim and Kanye got married) there was a terrible storm that hit the island. The Aotea track suffered damage and a big landslide containing 300,000 cubic meters of hillside wiped out everything in its path. No lives were lost and the majority of the track was restored (hooray!) We’re all sunny smiles about this restoration. It’s full of wildlife, native bush, bridges and is suitable for fit beginners and experienced trampers. So stop Netflix and chilling, pack your tramping gears and get a dose of that nature stuff. Book your visit here.

 
If you’re overwhelmed by Auckland house prices and want to pretend you live in a mansion (dreams are free, right?), head to the Mansion House on Kawau Island. Basically, the whole island and this mansion was purchased by Sir George Grey, one of New Zealand’s most influential and controversial political figures back in 1862. The mansion has 3 floors for you to have a nosey around, with all sorts of Victorian interiors and furniture, great inspiration if you’re wanting to go on the next season of The Block NZ. If you’re more into your gardening, take a wander around the spectacular garden ruled by a couple of peacocks.

 
If you’re getting weird looks while playing on the kids flying fox at the local playground, maybe you should give it up and give EcoZip on Waiheke a go. Instead of having some street youths graffiti on playground as your view, you could be flying over an expansive native forest with the Waitemata Harbour and Auckland’s city scape as your backdrop. We soon bonded with the others in our group as it wasn’t long until the tranquil setting was dramatically interrupted by shrieks and howls of excitement as we went flying at 60km per hour. Our EcoZip guides were incredibly friendly and informative and have all the gear you need. They even have bungy cords available for your phone so you can get that perfect selfie without making an awkward insurance claim.

If you’re envious of all your friends’ constant posts on social media of their travels, but you’ve only got $4 left in your account, you can take a selfie in one of the planes to make your life look adventurous[see below].
 

 
Increase your knowledge of Air NZ’s rich history as you make your way through this nostalgic exhibition. There are interesting short clips featuring the early days, as well as tragic events, which are all part of the 75-year journey.

Our highlight was definitely experiencing virtual reality, and that alone is worth taking a trip to this exhibition. As you put the VR headset on, you’re taken to a plane of the future with completely transparent sides. It really does feel like you’re floating through the clouds as Air NZ transports you to various spaces and places. Please note if you have Ornithophobia (fear of birds) you might want to close your eyes when the Moa walks towards you.

The exhibition is open till 22 May and we highly recommend checking it out before it flies away.
 

Warning – images contain adorable animals. Not suitable for viewing at work for those prone to saying “awwww” out loud one too many times.

Auckland Zoo’s new African Savannah has just opened so we decided to go check it out.

If you enjoyed visiting Harold the Giraffe at the Life Education Vans in school, then you’ll probably enjoy seeing what’s below the neck as you walk alongside the Pridelands. There you will also find zebras, ostriches, a rhino, and springboks going about their day to day routine.

Not that we’ve got any faves, but watching the meerkats was our highlight of the African Savannah. They were so amusing to watch they were on a mission scarpering back and forth then standing on their hind legs, pausing to internalise a complicated situation. WHY DON’T ANIMATES HAVE THESE?!

There is a also a new crèche as you walk through. Just don’t go dropping your kids off there as this is strictly for baby tortoises. So your kids will have to eat play dough somewhere else. Their parents and other grown-up leopard tortoises can be seen nearby, making sure they’re behaving well and not jumping on each others shells. They’ll just take a while to get there to tell them off.

As we left the spanking new aviary, we were lucky enough to arrive in time to see Burma and Angalee eat their lunch. We’re pretty sure we felt judgemental looks as we were pigging out on chunky fries (which we highly recommend!) while they stuck to their healthy 5+ a day. If you haven’t guessed what animal they are already, they are the famous Asian Elephants as you might’ve seen on such websites on aucklandzoo.co.nz, pamphlets and signs around town.

There’s definitely been a lot of work done so if you haven’t been to the zoo for a little while you should definitely go and check it out. Not to mention it’s a great activity to tire the kids out for a day.

Little & Friday
Their Hot Cross Buns aren’t as huge as a lot of their cabinet food so it’s totes appropes to have 2…or 7. Whatever. Distinctively flavoured with fresh orange peel, they really go down a treat. With locations in Belmont, Ponsonby, CBD, and Newmarket you can hop around without the embarrassment of going back again and again.