This is where both my children spent (and one is still spending) their primary years. It has long…read morehad a reputation as being one of the best schools in the central Auckland suburbs, so much so that house prices, including rentals, in the area are a good hundred dollars more (per week, rental or add three zeros for purchase) than those just over the boundary. All parents in Auckland come up against the bloody school zone dilemma because opinions are like arseholes - everyone has one. In the end I think that you can never know what a school is like for your particular child and family until you try it yourself. Our first few years here were great, although it's important to note that this is a "learning" school for teachers which means there's a good proportion who are just starting out in their careers. This has proved to be a positive and a negative - it just depends on the teacher. After a really great three or so years things things began to slide and choices were being made that many parents were questioning. The outcome of this is that the school is currently under a temporary principal (who seems to be doing a great job under the circumstances) and the hope is that the new permanent principal will start in Term 2 2013. The school community is very much looking forward to this as big decisions regarding the way forward will once again be possible so if you are thinking of this school for your child, keep your ear to ground and see what happens.

I never actually went to Maungawhau, but I had friends who did. They turned out alright. My…read moreintroduction to this place was years after primary school, when I was inducted into the illicit, underground cricket ring that operated out of here. Illicit and underground might be overstating it a bit. Basically we would just play little games of cricket on the courts here in the afternoons sometimes. For a school grounds after hours it's nice how much use it gets. Quite apart from us wrecking our shoulders pretending we know how to bowl, you often see other people throwing balls around, or small children on roller blades and bikes being trailed by weary, obliging parents. This school is a focal point of the community not only because it's a school, with everything that entails, but also because of the space itself and the use people make of it. This is really nice to see, and we're happy to donate several tennis balls to the cause (we've left most of them on the roof, and a couple lodged in that big tree).

Having sent three of my children through this West Auckland primary school I can vouch for their…read moreamazing attributes. While the principal has changed since we were there and a few new teachers have probably come on board, by all accounts Kaurilands is still a top primary school. We loved the community spirit, we loved the big field, the special events like the annual school fair, the talent quests, sports days and discos. Nothing beats morning jump jam to get your day going with voom! Their big field is an amazing resource with a regenerating wetland adventure play area surrounding the stream. Everyone is super friendly, starting with Jackie at the front office to the librarian, teachers and our favourite caretaker.

My dad went here, I went here and while my kids aren't attending plenty of my nieces and nephews…read moreare carrying on the tradition. This is a friendly country school, very much in vogue as the suburb it resides in has elevated position out West. There is a sculpture of an apple tree with students standing under it on the school grounds which encapsulates the history of this, a school which served its community members many who were orchardists. Many other sculptures and artworks are proudly displayed around the school, such as a mural of an apple tree on a school building as you drive into the school. The teachers are reportedly still wonderful and caring about their students. A keen PTA seems to always be on board. Two main social events on the calendar include a country fair in March and the Stark Brown Picnic in November, both events to celebrate the community spirit through a great little school.

It is very handy having a shop nearby that sells all the school uniforms for the area. Very…read morefriendly staff - you can just walk in, locate the school you want and request the size of the item you need and you're done. Not too much trouble at all. And they also have a good selection of accessories too. Plus, a sweetener for the expense of uniforms is their loyalty card. I was very pleased to be able to cash in my $20 voucher with my recent uniform purchase.

I had extremely terrible experience when I visited the school 553 uniform center at remuera…read more The staffs were so rude to my family. The young lady looked like angry and so tired. The middle age's Chines staff spoke slang to me in front of my child. I can find the lack of size, expensive price and low quality. There is only 1 place I can buy school uniform. it is the main reason. So they know whatever they can doto the parents especially with children. The school should give chance to parents to find another place to buy uniform.

Selwyn College is apparently well known for being a bit alternative, and I've heard people say "Oh,…read morea Selwyn girl/boy", but not having grown up in Auckland I have zero pre-conceptions of what this means. What I do know about Selwyn is that they have one of the best programmes of night and weekend adult classes in the city. Unfortunately they once had a much bigger programme but it's been reduced now most of them are now no longer Government funded. Anyway, the class I did here was an introductory sewing class. Our tutor was really great; instead of having a fixed idea of what she wanted to teach, everyone bought their own project and she would talk us through it individually, and work with us to help us sew and learn new techniques. It was totally accessible for beginners, but there were some more experienced sewers in the class and they also seemed to get value out of it. I'm still not a great sewer, but that's more because I don't practice it rather than any other reason!

Best little kindy out West. My nieces and nephews attended here and they all took to it like ducks…read moreto water. The teachers are really lovely and on the day's I have been a visitor the welcome is so friendly. The facility itself feels like a home away from home, very comfortable for the preschoolers as they get used to routines and a more disciplined form of learning. There is lots of unstructured play interspersed with mat time and projects done together. Outside the playground is a great avenue of endless exploration and games. Being right next to Oratia School would make the transition from 4 to 5 years and start of school an easy one.

Very solid school in all areas. The teachers and staff were dedicated, focussed, and committed…read morebeyond the usual school requirement. Most staff gave up personal time to be involved in school events. It was a very positive experience being part of the community and easy to be involved supporting the school. We would highly recommend it to anyone considering this school. There are almost no schools in the area to match it. If only they ran an Intermediate school to follow on with life would be perfect...!

At first glance, I was a bit perplexed by The Mind Lab. Is it...a school? A café? A computer lab?…read more ...and then one day I got a whiff of some fine beans and was drawn in - what I found: ML is kiiiind of all three. Per their site: "The Mind Lab by Unitec is an inter-disciplinary lab designed to contexualise education in a 21st century setting." So basically, the idea is to provide a unique educational environment wherein children can discover his/her true passions. They also offer postgraduate programmes (mainly focused for teachers) to enhance these disciplines and practices. Cool, eh? And now, back to the café bit ;) Naturally, the parents /caregivers of said promising youth require a space to relax and enjoy some fine beverages...enter: ML's bright little café (which I recently found out is a branch of Coffee General). WIN for a nearby office worker such as myself who can now, too enjoy the positive vibes of the space. They have a variety of beans to choose from including Kokako, Rocket, Merito, Three Beans, etc - and they make them strong, the way I like it. The coffee is accompanied by a small piece of dark chocolate, just the perfecttt combination. If you'd like to stay a while, they also offer free wifi. Nice.

Drove by this place many time and finally got a chance to go in…read more There is a cafe at the entrance. Serves Underground coffee. The flat white I got was ok... not as smooth as some other places. Maybe its the beans they use that day, was on the sour side. Has an interesting decor. Lots of refurbished furniture up the front. A good place for a quick drink and brief meet up. Down the back they hold science/design classes for kids 4+. Looks really cool. For sure will bring my son here once he is old enough.