The best thing about the Devonport Plunket clinic is their playground, its awesome! Lots of local…read moremums come here with their little'ies so they can play in the park outside or there's heaps of toys and couches inside too. I've only had a couple of appointments here and although they're helpful and friendly I still think Plunket in general could be a bit more proactive in their local community. Since I had a baby just over a year ago now I've seen them a total of three times. In saying this I'm sure that if there was anything in particular I needed help with they would be more than willing, just that as a matter of course they don't tend to check up on new mothers and babies too often.

This is a really wonderful venue with the primary function of a performing arts school, rehearsal…read morespace and performance venue. It also runs seminars, has a café and is now home to The Actors Programme. It runs a full range of evening and weekend part time classes, with programmes covering all the performing arts with everything from acting for screen and stage, singing, dance and if you want to run away and join the circus, you can learn the tricks here. There's something for every age group and a lot of well respected industry professionals run workshops out of here. It's a really wonderful space that is intrinsic to Auckland's artistic community and even if you are more of an observer than a participant, TAPAC has something for everyone, so at least come and see a show. There's school holiday programmes as well as term time programmes and the facilities and tutors are top class. Bloody marvellous!

TAPAC is a bit of an Auckland institution. Virtually any kid growing up in central Auckland with an…read moreinterest in the performing arts will have heard of TAPAC, even if they didn't attend any classes there. TAPAC is recognised as one of the best performing arts facilities in the area, with an extensive range of classes available -for all ages and abilities - as well as great studios and mini theatres for rehearsals and performances. In my early teens I participated in an acting class at TAPAC. The class was great. It covered a variety of styles of acting, whether for screen or the stage, and it was really good for boosting my self confidence and leadership qualities - though I didn't realise it at the time of course! Whether dancing, acting, singing or even circus skills and acrobatics are your forte, or you've just always wanted to give them a try - TAPAC is the place for you. Tip: TAPAC also host school holiday programmes, so if your child is unsure about signing up to regular lessons this is a good way to see whether they want to pursue these classes any further!

Fun afternoon exploring the oce. The staff set us up with our rental skates and we used a frame to…read morestart off til we got the hang of skating. We warmed up in the cafe with a hot chocolate and a big slice of cake ($6.50). Highly recommend! Skating was fun and a nice activity to keep kids active.

Feeling hot? Like you'd be keen to enter a winter wonderland? Look no further!…read more Paradice is a barrel of ice skating fun, where you can swish around on skates to some upbeat music with your friends. I went recently, and thoroughly enjoyed myself (even though I fell over and bruised myself a few times!) It would've been great if they'd offered lessons to first timers before we stepped on the ice, but you have to book a class for that. Basically I think a 5 min lesson should be essential, as it's a dangerous sport. The atmosphere was great though, and it was cute watching all the kids on their little support frames!

Gorgeous Art gallery in the heart of Auckland! My husband and I enjoyed strolling the gallery…read moreduring a recent trip. I really enjoyed their Manet and Picasso pieces. If you have a few hours to spare, there's a really nice outdoor space to sit and read a book!

We had just finished eating on Queen Street and were wandering around the area when we stumbled…read moreupon this art gallery museum. We decided to walk in and I'm glad we did. The first floor is free and features several exhibitions, so we took our time roaming around. One of the main exhibits focused on Māori art, and we spent about an hour exploring the pieces and learning more about Māori history in New Zealand. It was genuinely informative and beautifully presented. There was also a display by a Korean artist on the first floor. I don't quite remember the theme, but the design of the house-like structure had some Chinese influences, which made it visually interesting. Overall, if you have some time to spare and want to cool off from the scorching sun, this gallery is definitely worth a visit. Bonus points for clean restrooms, too!

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.

The Rose Centre is located just off Lake Road, in an unassuming cul de sac, with ample parking &…read morehas a distinct 'community' feel. I have been to a few theatre productions here, which are generally affordable, low-key and headed up by 'Company Theatre' who produce three shows a year & are resident in the space. The Rose Centre is also utilised for fitness, singing & French language class, meditation, yoga & other interactive community events. You can also rent the space for meetings, rehearsals, parties, meet ups and children's playgroups. There are two community lounges which are perfect for the before mentioned activities. They have a website - so check them out:)

This store is great because it doesn't cater to the 'kitschy' side of New Zealand art and design as…read moremuch as some souvenir type stores like it do. It's more of an Art Gallery rather than a store. And affordable too. I love artist Tony Cribbs 'Adventures of Tin man' series and always like to pick something up whenever I see one in a store or gallery. They are just too cute. And funny as well. I always get compliments on them whenever I have people over to mine. They just exemplify the New Zealand sense of humor so well. I like the fact that Mana also has prints of a lot of their artworks so if you can't afford the actual original artwork itself there are still opportunities for you to own a slice of something. I'm currently crushing on one of their artworks, one of a Maori girl/princess wrapped in a traditional woven cloak. I may have to settle on the print of this one myself!

If you're looking for some absolutely beautiful local art, jewellery or gifts for someone visiting…read moreNew Zealand to take home with them or even to send to someone abroad, this place should be your one stop shop. They've got a fairly small but carefully curated collection of glassware, paintings and sculptures alongside jewellery and cards and other nick-nacks. My favourite things in here are the necklaces. Long thin silver chains with bird and flower pendants, which were gorgeous and really unusual. Things like this range from around $40 up to $400, so you're sure to find something no matter what your budget. I've been looking for a Green Stone necklace for my partner for quite some time and have never been able to find one that I really love, but the ones in Mana are the nicest I've seen in Auckland. Plus they were playing Ben Howard on the stereo when I walked in, which just made me like it even more.

The only reason I know anything about the Clay Store is that my dad has been going there for years…read more They call it a 'shed' - its a large community workshop with dozens of standing power tools for multi materials, mostly wood but also metal and anyone can go and use them you don't have to be a member or anything. Its non-profit and run by a bunch of volunteers, mostly retired old guys with a penchant for technical crafts. All it costs is a small donation (I believe the amount is at your own discretion but I hear $5-$20 is the go depending on what you're using and how much time you spend). Dad has taken me here on a couple of occasions when I needed help with little creative projects but if I didn't have him to help then I'm assured one of the volunteers there would show me the ropes and take me through the basics of whatever it was I needed to use. Its actually a brilliant service to have considering so many people these days are interested in DIY projects yet not everybody has the tools or space set up to do them. They're only open for a few hours in the mornings so you can't spend a long time there but its perfect for finishing up odds and ends or for using the big machines and doing the rest at home. They hire trailers for a nominal fee too.

If you don't have the woodworking tools or power tool, this is the place. The "boys" who operate…read morethe "shed" are absolutely fantastic and are there to help in every way possible. Thank you.... most appreciated!