As a massive nerd, I have to say, I'm so happy this place exists…read more Cakes and Ladders is, as far as I know, Auckland's only board game cafe. They have an impressive stock of board and card games--for adults and for families--the nicest, friendliest staff you could ask for, and a comfy interior setup for your hours of board gaming pleasure. The coffee is pretty decent as well, although none of my friends nor I have tried the food menu just yet. Here's how it works: you walk in, you pick a table, and the staff start your timer. Then you can either pick a game or have one recommended to you based on pretty much whatever criteria you want, and if it's a new game to you, the (again, wonderfully friendly) staff explain the rules and setup to you. Then you play--for hours, if you want. At $2.50 an hour, it's a steal. (Also, they're currently awaiting their liquor license, so although there's no alcohol there yet, just you wait. Craft beers are on their way!) They close at 10pm, I believe, at least on the weekends, but once the booze arrives, I'm hoping they stay open a wee bit later. I'm definitely going back, often.

This place is awesome!!! Came with my husband and had a great time. They have so many games!!!…read morePerfect for groups and for just 2 people. They have a specific shelf full of games that require only 2 players. A great way to spend an afternoon or evening. Can get noisey but adds to the fun.

There's this group of super earnest and spirited young people (and a few middle aged hangers on)…read morewho gather in a circle outside of the Skycity Metro Starbucks and just kind of gently sway together while belting out extremely passionate songs of praise. Intermittently their 'leader' will kind of belt out a bit of prayer or something (first in English, then in some Asian language (apologies that I don't know which)) and you get the feeling that he is seriously channelling the spirt of god. It's very very awesome. You can even get meta on the whole situation and watch the people who are watching them and kind of muttering in some non-descript discouraging way. I don't know if they have regular hours. Usually they're 'rocking out' on the weekend. Oh yeah, sometimes they have a guitar! Oh and when the traveling band of Hare Krishnas are trolling up and down Queen street art the same time, and try to out-worship each other and they coalesce into this extremely loud spiritual cluster bomb. It's great. Also love how youthful and hopeful and downright sunny they are compared to the dour and desperate vegan activists who perch up on the other side of that Woody Allen looking statue. Five star street theatre with opportunity for interactivity if you're into god and that.

For a while I was part of the Screen Director's Guild of New Zealand, and these guys are super…read morehelpful in terms of setting up ways to connect with the rest of the industry. Newsletters, events and information to navigate the different people and places associated with film and TV. The day I went to visit the office was an interesting one. Gemma e-mailed me and said to find them down the corridor that looked like a spaceship. I was not really sure what to expect, but sure enough, you jump off the elevator, turn a corner, and then you're on the Star Trek Enterprise! Their office is one of many film places in this building, and it's artistic nature certainly suits the business. The ladies at the office were friendly and attentive, clearly passionate about the work they do. It's certainly a great place to get plugged into if you're climbing the directing or editing ladder of success.

The Pacific Star Bistro at the Glen Eden RSA does quite a nice roast dinner on a Friday night, and…read moretalk about economical it's just $15 for the carvery which of course comes with the salad bar and desserts. A friendly club which welcomes new families, you do not need to be a member of the armed forces to join remember, they are always looking to increase their membership. Quite a few people I know enjoy networking at their local RASA. Glen Eden is no exception. They have regular dance bands, social clubs like darts and snooker, and entertainment for the young and old.

The Glen Eden RSA is actually a lot better than it's reputation. The people are friendly, the bar…read moreis neat and tidy, there's a few pool tables, some dart boards, a stage, a restaurant, a dance floor, and of course, the drinks are cheap. Because everyone there has to be a member or invited by a member, most people there are generally friends and nice people. A huge range of ages, from the oldies to younger members newly joined to the club. By becoming a member you can join heaps of the RSA clubs, including the 8 Ball club, the cruise club, and they always go away on group trips around the country visiting other RSAs. Heaps of parking outside, and they run a van to take everyone home, contributing to fixing the drunk driving problem we seem to have in this country. A nice place on a Sunday arvo or for a Friday night out.

Don't drive past the RSA, why not visit sometime and you may find you'll be keen on joining because…read morethey are always looking for members. Hobsonville RSA serves up lunch, somewhere I pop into from time to time, and also dinner Wednesday to Sunday at their Tarmac Restaurant. You'll get a decent meal for a great price. They've got a great outdoor area called The Bunker which was designed by a local architect and club member as a place to gather with the ambience reflecting back to the camaraderie soldiers shared in past wars. You will have to contend with the smokers but it offers very comfy seating and tables, entertainment system and pot belly stove. There is room for 60 people and the venue can be hired out for small functions. You can see a live band here every Friday night or take advantage of any of their other social sections.

Hobsonville and Whenuapai are both areas within Auckland that are experiencing huge growth. It is a…read morethriving community that is seeing new, housing developments, businesses and families entering the area daily. I have lived in the area most of my life, residing on Hobsonville Air Base and spending a lot of time at Whenuapai Air Base. I loved it. It's not far from Auckland Central, North Shore and the West Coast beaches. I still live in the area and so does the rest of my family. We have always supported the local businesses and will continue to do so. For 35+ year's, we have been patrons at the Hobsonville RSA, especially with the defence relationship my family has via the Airforce. It is with much regret that through social media, I can only hope that either others are made aware of the experience they should now receive at this establishment, or potentially Hobsonville RSA might realise that they need to treat their members and patrons that are in the area with more dignity and respect, listening to feedback, so their business/presence in the area remains and history can be shared with future generations. I, we and other couples have tried numerous times to give constructive feedback. Verbally to numerous committee members and via email. Verbally it is met with a dismissive/defensive approach and via email, receipt is not acknowledged, however you 'could' expect to gain a reply 6 weeks later, this is if its ever presented, who knows. I was invited last night to attend the AGM in early March, to present any feedback. Honestly, if is this the length you must go to give feedback, I'm surprised you have any patrons or members. Competing business would close in a minute if this was the way they treated their patrons. The first bit of feedback I/we, others have tried to ask for is a Suggestion Box, this way patrons/members can, on a regular basis, anonymously give feedback. Upon requesting this, I was personally told if I had feedback I could tell them now. I was then asked if the feedback was from certain members, of which multiple names were mentioned, whom I had no idea who they were, and the comment made that these people always complained so he wouldn't be surprised if was from them. At this stage of the conversation I realised it wasn't worth pursuing. For the Hobsonville RSA's reference, my feedback was, there are generally only two places you go to where staff (Manager/Secretary/Bar Staff) have the prime, most accessible and named carparks 1. RSA' and 2. Golf Clubs. Because of this numerous times I have witnessed and assisted elderly patrons as they struggle to get from the from their car, across the carpark to the front door. My father is now one of them. Two examples of some of the other feedback we have had is: * Consistency of attire required. Often, we have witnessed members being notified that their footwear is unsuitable. There seems to be one rule for committee member's families and another for the rest. Last night we witnessed several women wearing jandals/thongs with no reminder of the footwear policy - see attached pictures. * The food - where do I start! There is much better value and quality from a McDonalds Clubhouse Chicken burger than the Hobsonville RSA burger. You had better like carrots and zucchini as these are the only vegetables they've severed for the last 6 months; the steak is consistently of such poor quality its inedible even for those with teeth and you had better like deep fried food as most of the menu is fried. * The list goes on.. As we have continued to visit the Hobsonville RSA, we hoped that over time some of the requests/feedback we and others have given might have been actioned. However sadly this hasn't happened and things are worse. I do not see Hobsonville RSA's operating procedures and environment attractive to locals, which now have alternative options, especially the up and coming generations that would continue its legacy. In fact, I along with others know this. I suggest Hobsonville RSA that you look at how you can make your club relevant to all ages, you look at a customer focused approach as to how you operate your business and step out of the dark ages to ensure you keep your doors open. Go online and look at other businesses and RSA's and what they have done to keep them relevant over time. Swanson RSA is one that comes to mind. Potentially look at using the resource you have through children and grandchildren, to understand what the market wants and to help give you an online presence. Online isn't just for the young. Customers, if you are looking for somewhere to eat in Whenuapai and Hobsonville try North West Shopping Centre, which has a great range of customer centric restaurants, or trip advisor, see the links below http://northwestshoppingcentre.co.nz/northwest-stage-2-coming-october-2016/ https://www.lonestar.co.nz/restaurants/westgate/ https://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/RestaurantsNear-g255106-d3515200-Hobsonville_Point_Farmers_Market-Auckland_North_Is

Very nice Returned Service Location…read more The meals are priced well, the food is very good, and the camaraderie was friendly. Fairly large, there was room for social activities as well as just food. Fairly large attendance the day we were there, but it never seemed crowded. Recommended.

One of the best benefits of having kids is getting to be a kid yourself and Megazone is a great…read moreplace to do just that. I never understand when parents don't partake in childish activities - we even had a boys' birthday party here where a dad went INSIDE the warzone to just stand and watch. If you have no idea what all this is about, laserstrike is the preferred birthday party choice of boys (and some girls) aged 7 to 12 and probably older - we're not there yet. You rally your troops, divide them into two teams, tool up and go to war. There's an instruction video and staff on hand to help you get into your harness-thing. The harness-thing has light targets for your enemy to see and of course your laser gun. You then go run around in the dark shooting each other and the team with the most points wins. Most excellent entertainment - especially getting those kids that are, let's say, not your favourites. So ring up, book your group and they'll give you a room where you can do the food and cake thing along with two 20 minute game sessions. Get pizzas delivered and it's simple and fairly affordable as far as these things go. Just make sure you join in - it's bloody good exercise and wicked fun.