The Parnell Community Centre runs an excellent community activity programme at very reasonable…read moreprices. They run a great programme that encompasses creative arts and designs, languages, culinary courses, exercise and healthy body courses, photography, technology and sustainability courses. The community centre is located conveniently, just a short walk from Broadway, a short walk from Newmarket train station and it's on the Inner Link bus route. A great option if you're centrally based (living or for work) and also really great for people on a tight budget who would like to try something different. And they also offer discounts for people with a community services card.

I have been to Parnell numerous times for weddings, hens parties, church services and parties. it…read moreis a perfect place for one to host their event at. They are several rooms on offer such as the Jubilee Room which my friend used as the venue for her wedding reception. This room has a kitchen facility which is perfect for self catering. There is the Parnell room which is much small which we used for my friends Hen's party. Another room which isn't too big or small and can be separated into two spaces is the Hobson room which we have used for church services, The Parnell community center is absolutely perfect, has lots of parking on the site and on the street, The prices for the rooms are extremely affordable and range from around $40 and hour or less. Apart from venue hire, Parnell also has a childcare centre and hosts small classes that range from salsa to cooking lessons.

Wesley Community Centre is a great asset to the local community. They have many things on offer…read moreincluding a a market that has been running for 16 years! Every Tuesday and Friday 7 am - 1 pm you can drop in and pick up some produce, some hot food, new and used clothing, bric a brac and much more. The centre is also very well utilized by local groups for adult and youth classes, including holiday programs. It has a strong multi-cultural feel to the place and whatever ethnicity your background is, I am sure you will be made to feel welcomed. I have hired rooms in the not-so-distant-past and I can honestly say that it is one of the most attractive community centres around Auckland. It is spacious, clean and well maintained. Organize to have a look at the rooms available if you are searching for a space needed for a conference, regular meetings, or a once off celebration to hold a number of people.

Definitely worth four stars!…read more This place is amazing! They really do support the community in everyday possible. From sporting areas to childcare to youth support. It really does do new Lynn a great service. I know some friends that hire out some space in there from sporting events during the week and I also know of some youth groups that run awesome activities during be week which is great for the New Lynn area and its youth. It is a modern space, well designed - both architecturally and in its interiors. There is plenty of parking surrounding the venue as well. And you know your car will be safe because the police station is right next door. Handy! Great spot overall.

It gets four stars for what it stands for! Community centres are great! They offer everything from…read morePlunket playgroups to line dancing, environmental groups to mediation groups, so much on offer, it is as good as your local library! Plus they do play a large role in helping new migrants in Auckland, an important service for such a multi-cultural city. This centre has some great rooms/halls that can be hired and some rough-around-the-edges too, so worth going and having a look for yourself. Also, make sure you state clearly everything you need, kitchen? whiteboard? no-one else using that room? Are you sure no one else is using that same room!? Ask lots of questions! Word is on the street that the New Lynn Community Centre will be the venue for a new Night Market soon to arise every Thursday night too, cool bananas!

I love the Corban's Art centre. Has consistently great exhibitions which showcase local and…read morenational artists, workshops in which you can chat to local artists and a fantastic gift shop which is always my first stop if I want to buy a gift with an Aotearoa flavour. Also runs community art workshops and has a lovely coffee shop. Love it!

I have just discovered my favourite art gallery in Auckland!!! Yay!!!!…read more I had heard about this place in the past, even considered applying for a job in their shop at one stage, but because I don't go out to Henderson all that much it just had never happened, so earlier this week I made a lunch date with my husband at the Corban Arts Estate Cafe (also a winner on my list of Auckland's finest haunts, please refer to separate review to find out why...). After our yummy lunch he headed back to work and I went of gallery viewing... The gallery has three separate rooms but all under the same roof, as you enter the front building. The gallery space is not ample, but laid out professionally and aesthetically. There was three shows exhibiting whilst I was visiting, my personal favourite was by the artist Sopolemalama Filipe Tohi, a name that may be challenging to pronounce but worth remember, this artist is a very skilled craftsman. His work revolved around La Lava, "the Tongan art of lashing or binding". He demonstrated his art through several mediums, from weaving intricate and time consuming wool pieces displayed on the wall, to building large and small geometric designs with timber. They created wonderful patterns for eye and mind to appreciate. I also liked the lightings relationship with the art, creating shadows of the designs playfully across the wall. Plus, the framing was matched beautifully, unique double edges that brought the work forward bringing extra life to the forms. Last, but not least was a really great shop were the artists (in residence) sold their mix of talents - from pottery, paintings, upcycled crafts, jewellery, cards and much more. And at affordable prices! If you haven't been to Corbans before then it is time to go; if you have been there before then go again.

I have been to Nathan Homestead for a few events, my friends wedding, a graduation party, the…read moreMalawian independence day celebrations and a 21st. It is one of those places that can be set up for your venue. The graduation party was in the small room, that had a kitchen. We were able to serve food plus have a great time. The 21st was in the grand hall and my friend made her grand entrance down the stairs in the venue. For the wedding it was outside in the beautiful garden. I have always enjoyed myself at the events at Nathan Homestead and I recommend it to people who are looking for a place to host their next event.

I dunno about the Showgrounds. Everyone knows where they are, everyone's been there for something…read moreand we all continue to do so fairly regularly - I was just there this week for the Importer's Clearance Sale. Trouble is, it's really not too flash. They always sting you for parking (cash only of course) for any event and said parking is a really trashy makeshift carpark full of potholes and the bare minimum of space per car. Then there's a bit of a walk past the old admin buildings and into a great big characterless foyer with great big cavernous rooms. I know it's meant to be a blank canvas so maybe I'm just whingeing but I always feel like it could be so much better. So many events are held here - The Food Show, The Parent and Child Show and many many smaller trade shows along with everyone's favourite The Royal Easter Show. But when I was here recently for Chinese New Year we were all sitting on the concrete eating our lunch. I know it's probably up to individual event organisers but more seating in the food areas would be great and more shade for summer events would be equally appreciated. And hey, maybe even an allround spruce up and cheaper parking? Just saying.

Billed as New Zealand's premier events and exhibition centre, ASB show grounds really lives up to…read moreits rather stately title. It caters to everything from private cocktail parties, corporate functions to large scale concerts and performances, trade shows, even weddings! It is the team here that really make each individual event personalized and a success. This weekend I went to Nz's largest stock clearance sale that happens here every couple of months, which is basically a huge makeup sale with things at ridonkulously low prices ( what's not to love). This event always attracts hordes of scary girls, that relish fights over blusher/bronzer etc so it's good that there is lots of space available to make a run for it if necessary. Things were neatly set out, and were easy to access. There is even ample parking, which is always a problem in Auckland.

The church I attend recently started using Hub West as a venue for our Sunday services. The venue…read moreis absolutely beautiful as it incorporates Maori art in side the building and on the outside. The venue is not only perfect for church services but for other events such as weddings, birthday parties and anniversaries. The price for hiring the venue is also very affordable and there is plenty of parking on the side of the building and in front of it. The service from the staff is amazing and they are there every Sunday morning to ensure that everything is running smoothly and to open the doors for us where the chairs are located. They are more than happy to reply to any queries and are excellent communicators.

This Community House a white washed building close to Dennys and the Highland Park Shopping Centre…read more Nothing special, but a comfortable place to have meetings or special events, such as an engagement party or 21st birthday. It's easy to find with a few on-site parking spaces, as well as street parking. The seating can be manipulated how you like, and the walls are pretty blank if you wanted to decorate it with a special theme. At just $20 per hour, it's worth having a look into. I didn't have any problems when attending my Defensive Driving course here, so nothing bad to say about this place.