After seven years living here I’ve explored a pretty good chunk of New Zealand, but am still finding new places, even in Auckland, and enjoy revisiting old favourites.
South Island
A good ten day trip with my parents exploring the parts of the South Island they hadn’t seen before. Though most were a repeat for me, it’s hard to get bored of revisiting places like Wanaka, Hanmer Springs, Brunner, the Southern Alps, Lake Tekapo, and Oamaru.
Power Plant Auckland Domain
Similar to Sydney’s Vivid Festival, only limited to the Auckland Domain, Power Plant unusually got better as it went on, particularly reflected by water, and the dramatic lighting against a cloudy sky.
Pleasuredome
An entertaining homegrown musical, overshadowed by it’s incredible recreation of the streets of New York City in the early eighties. Almost certainly the most exciting thing to ever happen in Avondale.
Auckland Heritage Festival
My annual fix of architecture walks, this year focusing on the work of Roy Lippencott and engineering marvels of the Auckland CBD.
Otuataua Stonefields and Puhinui Reserve
Amazingly my first time to the quite special Stonefields, despite them only being twenty minutes from home, and a return visit with camera to the also rather special Puhinui Reserve.
Wellington
A few photos from a weekend in the capital, something I do at least once a year, often far more as it’s the perfect weekend escape. It’s less than an hour’s flight from Auckland, with almost everything accessible by foot or public transport, and home to plenty of things to do whatever the weather (which is good as the weather isn’t it’s best feature).
Gigs
One of the better years for gigs in Auckland. Taken on my iPhone so not the greatest quality but hopefully these capture some of the atmosphere of great nights out seeing PJ Harvey, Rufus Wainwright, Ryan Adams, Hanson, Peter Hook + The Light, Led Zeppelin Masters & Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, the Bootleg Beatles, and the Blackbird Ensemble.
