Vector Arena is a fabulous central location to come watch the newest shows, concerts and events to…read morehit Auckland city. Fun for the entire family you can be sure that something will be viewing to satisfy everyone's taste. Parking in the area does become tricky when there is a big event on, however it is closely positioned to Birtomart, making training in or busing in very convenient. They also have kiosks selling merchandise, food, drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and ATM machines available to get cash out. To see what shows are next performing at Vector, hop onto their website and check out the upcoming events. There will certainly be something to tickle everyone's fancy.

I think Vector Arena is great, and it is the large venue that Auckland has desperately needed for a…read morevery long time. I have been to a couple of rock gigs here (Stone Temple Pilots, Roger Waters) and I must say that these were some of the best concerts I've been to. For STP we were standing, and for Roger Waters we were seated right at the back in the nosebleed seats, but it didn't matter at all; the sound was amazing and we could see the whole show well. I don't know what the acoustics are like in some of the other seats around the stadium, but perhaps the sound and visual experience depends more on the act that you are seeing and if they can deliver a great show. Vector is not only for concerts either; the arena hosts a whole range of different shows and sporting events. I saw the crusty demons here a few years back and that was very entertaining.

I have been to Trust Stadium a couple of times to watch the LG Mystics play their home netball…read moregames. Located out in west Auckland, there are also other events held here. The venue can also be hired out for trade shows and expos, concerts and other sporting events. If you're after a location to host an event go on to the Trust Stadium website and they have a link that takes you through the process of applying. Here they have plenty of onsite parking (2000 plus car parks) and already established kiosks to buy food and snack before the event or at intermission. To see what events are up and coming at Trust Stadium, hop on to their website and check it out. Tickets can be purchased online via their website.

Oh god where to begin. I don't doubt this place is great for netball but it SUCKS badly as a music…read morevenue. I've had to come here twice; the first time was the all round disappointment that was The Cult but that was only a taster of how shit things could really get. The Cult had general admission standing room and allocated seating up the sides. Except when you got there it was actually a free for all so you got whatever seat you could find. Then most recently I saw Blondie here who blew my mind and restored my faith that you can indeed be painfully achingly cool even 35 years on from your heydey. And for the haters who didn't enjoy it; heard of irony? For this gig the whole thing was seated and what this meant was cheap plastic chairs with numbers sellotaped on them (I kid you not) lined up in "rows" that people just moved out of the way. There was standing in the aisles, even some obnoxious child smoking and barely any security to speak of. Even without the smoking it would have been a fire hazard. OSH anyone? The queue for the bar was ridiculous and the whole set-up was a frickin debacle that should never be repeated. It gets better. I received an email from Trusts Stadium the following week requesting feedback that included a shitload of questions on everything from the food to the toilets. I attacked it with fervent vigour, happy that I would get to tell them everything they were doing wrong. Ten minutes later I clicked on Submit..... and nothing. I don't know if it timed out, I don't know if it went through and I've heard nothing from them since. Please please please music promoters stop using this place for concerts!

Came here for the Chinese New Year event. The parking here is terrible, we had such a hard time…read morefinding a parking spot. So be warned when coming here for a very big event come early to get a spot! There was so many delicious foods and drinks around the venue. However no food or drink was allowed inside the arena. This was very disappointing. Otherwise enjoyed the event but parking was a hassle.

The Trusts Stadium is a great place to go to as there is always so much going on there. Netball…read moregames, business dinners, a cafe that sells freshly made sandwiches and of course the gym. The Trusts Stadium is perfect as it has a track great for those training for marathons or just out to run for some general fitness. I love walking to the trusts just to see what's going on especially the run and walk series, great fun for the family. After a run just head in through gate B to the cafe for some goodies, I mean after a run one can eat hot chips without feeling too guilty. After all you need some food after exercise, right!

Great concert venue in the centre of Hamilton - not as far away as one might think to see…read moreinternational acts that choose to play out of Auckland. Friendly staff and lots of bar and food areas dotted on both floors. The only downside is the field turned into a carpark with no signage and a logjam of traffic preventing escape at the end of the night. Trapped in Hamilton - gulp!

To be fair, North Shore Events Centre is a little bit of a diamond in the rough. Conveniently…read morelocated in Wairau Valley, Glenfield, it is home to events of all kinds and of varying degrees of prominence. Community-based sports programmes are held here throughout the year mainly focusing on basketball and netball but ranging as wide as martial arts and badminton. It has the capacity for corporate events and conferences and has even been known to throw down the odd concert or two. I saw Faith No More and The Beastie Boys here a really really long time ago! It had been years since I had been there until the middle of last Australian Basketball season when I really started following the Breakers - NSEC is their home ground. I have to say the relatively small confines of the arena and the 3000 odd maximum capacity means that when the team is playing well the place is electric! Yeah it needs a bit of a spruce up and could do with some better promotion to attract more events, but when you break it all down the place has character and an energy that comes alive when being used to its full advantage. Hopefully there is an action plan to take the arena into the future as it certainly holds a place in the hearts of many North Shore locals.

The city of Auckland is filled with good event destinations, from Vector Arena to the Bruce Mason,…read moreASB Show grounds to the Logan Campbell Centre. All these places provide event organisers a plethora of choice from which to stage their events. And it is this wealth of choice that is prohibiting the North Shore Events Center from reaching its true potential. Every time I've attended a sporting event or trade show, I've wondered why it is not utilized more, and why promoters seem to ignore it as a viable host. Sure it is small, but it is this usable size that gives it its charm, and the location is convenient for residents of the Shore, and those coming over the bridge. Maybe the council needs to spend some money on an upgrade, and get a professional marketing team to promote it to local businesses. If any councilors are reading this, I am qualified and available for the job, hope to hear from you soon.

Well at least it's not called Ericsson Stadium anymore. Of course now it's "home of The Warriors"…read more I don't really care too much for sport but have been here many times over the years for concerts, including of course the now sadly defunct Big Day Out. We loved to hate The Supertop so now we miss those sweaty times in The Boiler Room, never to be had again. My brother actually used to work here as the groundsman so had his 21st birthday party in the function rooms. Fun times. I came here during high school for Athletics Days. Less fun times. Still, Mt Smart Stadium is one of those places in Auckland that just ARE - and despite its generic nothing special-ness, it's a part of our city and we are fond of it. Well I am anyway.

We were at the Foo fighters last last night. First off could not get a drink and we were there 40…read moreminutes before hand. Four tills to serve a whole stand is unbelievable. The sound was terrible also and out of sync could not make out what Grohl was saying half the time. I would recommend not going to a concert here ever!. Because I live near the stadium I will try to see the warriors I hope that experience is better.

Western Springs Stadium is a pivotal point of Auckland's history. Before Vector arena was built,…read morebasically all the big concerts New Zealand had were held at Western Springs. I still remember being about 10 years old and sitting on my back deck in Mt Eden listening to Robbie Williams belt his latest tunes. While it's a bit depressing to think about Robbie now, this was one of the huge bonuses about concerts being held at Springs - all the locals could hear the music for free! Though now most of the big acts go straight to Vector arena, every now and again some still play in the amazingly huge outdoor stadium at Western Springs. In 2011 I was lucky enough to attend the Foo Fighters concert at Western Springs, and it was PHENOMENAL. The sound was amazing, and despite being way up the back of the stadium, you still felt you were part of the action and could see everything. It was my first outdoor concert and so far it's my favourite concert yet - and it's down to, in large part, the stadium itself. If you ever get the chance to go to a concert at Springs, make it a priority and get your ass there - you won't regret it. Tip: Western Springs Stadium is also a Speedway so if you're in to car racing, this is the place for you.

I have been coming here since 1986 and have always been impressed with this natural venue. And…read morerecently they have upgraded the seating along the back and have done a wonderful job. Great venue!

What a fun afternoon - sun, speed, competition, and adrenaline. Our family went here on the spur…read moreof the moment and it was worth every penny. (Actually the price is very reasonable). The track sits within broader Hampton Downs speedway so there is the feeling of being part of a real road racing experience. The facilities are well run, organized, and maintained. The cars are pretty new and simple to operate; and still pretty quick. Staff are professional and knowledgeable about the process so there is very little wasted time - get out there and race. If your looking for something to do and have a need for speed - take an afternoon and go to Hampton Downs

I have been to this motorsport park a number of times as I am a keen fan of the D1NZ Drift series…read moreand I go to all of the rounds that are accessible to me. Every season they hold a round at Hampton Downs which I really enjoy as it is only 45 mins out of Auckland and is a really great place to hold a car event. It's got an amazing circuit track with lots of bends so it's perfect for drifting. It's a really versatile venue because they have a skid pan, excellent pit buildings and convention facilities and packages available. Anyone can hire the track out if they enquire and I reckon it would be the coolest work bonding day to hire the track and some cars. You can even stay the night here in one of their trackside apartments! In terms of track days they have days dedicated to motorcycles, driver training, skid days and race car only days. If you consider yourself a bit of a petrol head you should really try and get to Hampton Downs this year, it always provides a fab day out. Note: Track opening hours differ depending on Events and Track Days

North Harbour Stadium Oval played host to the Tuborg Sounds On this past weekend, and I had the…read morebest NZ music outdoor concert in a long time. Situated at North Harbour Stadium, in the oval next door is where one would usually watch a game of cricket, on this weekend night, a transformation took place as crowds filled in to watch top NZ musical stars perform for 11 hours. I loved the designated area that was assigned for the food vendors, the section for the thrill rides, and that the masses of people attending the festival could be assured not a long wait as the stadium bathrooms catered well for the crowd. The kitchen/bar area was again easy to access, as it is also used for the same reason when the cricket is on show too. I think the oval at North Shore Stadium is just a really well planned and accessible venue. I hope to return for another event one day soon.

Commonly derided as a white elephant, North Harbour Stadium is one of those things that seemed like…read morea good idea back in the 90s when they were building it before they realised there probably weren't enough events to justify a 25,000-seat stadium this side of the bridge. Because of this, the stadium often sits unused looking a little bit unloved, and the local Harbour rugby team struggle to pull crowds given their inability to win a game. In spite of all this, I maintain Harbour is the best rugby stadium in the city simply because it is rectangular unlike Eden Park which is kind of square in an attempt to fit a cricket oval in. Because of this there aint a bad view in the house, and you're nice and close to the action. Good atmosphere when full - the Samoa vs South Africa World Cup game I attended here attested to that - what a memory! A decent open air concert venue too - saw The Who here in 2009 and that's quite a story. Managed to get into the VIP area for free with a mate by simply helping a roadie carry some security fencing into the stadium - pretty sweet night!