I've spent way too much time here over the years; it can't be helped if you have kids. The little…read moreones LOVE it and by little I mean, preschoolers and up to about age 10. There's a nice warm baby pool and the shallows of the main pool are full of interactive water thingies, and of course a slide. There's "the lazy river" which is kind of an alternative to a whirlpool but what's most special about here is the waves, dude. They don't turn the waves on all the time mainly I think because they're bloody dangerous. Hold on tight to your toddler because the floor is really slippery and the force is enough to knock adults over easily, let alone adults holding another small body. Seriously, be careful. The hydroslide is pretty cool as far as these things go but the up the stairs and the shivering is not for me. Which I'm sure is fine with the kids. My reckoning is that this is Auckland's busiest pool so if you do have a little one in the big pool it's incredibly stressful trying to keep track of them. Go when your kids can swim on their own.

Why are wave pools so fun? These sorts of waves out at the beach are at best a non-event, at worst…read morea nuisance. But put me in a much smaller body of water with a concrete bottom, turn on the swooshing, and somehow that's a grand old time. I don't get it. The thing is it really is a grand old time. Wave pools are fun, and it doesn't matter how old you are or if you've ever seen what a real wave looks like. There's a shallow end for the little kids, and a deeper end for everyone else, and this is where the waves are at their best. There's also a grown-up pool in the next room (you know, with lanes and a flat surface) that you can swim laps in but to be honest I've never felt the need. I'm sure it's fine though.

Having spent the first 18 years of my life living in Onehunga, Jellicoe Pools were our local…read more Sheesh were they rough though. Happily, Jellicoe has had several makeovers in the intervening years between my own childhood and my children's, and is the current most favourite due to its "really high" diving board. Ain't nothing makes a bigger bomb than a "really high" diving board. I couldn't tell you just how high it is but suffice to say you won't see me jumping off it. This summer we have really taken advantage of the outdoor pool. Sure, it's not heated and for me that's the whole point. The new generation of kids is so used to having the chill taken off that they risk missing out on that heartstopping moment of diving into a properly cold pool on a hot day - bliss. The outdoor pool is also where the diving boards are at (there's a low one too), along with picnic tables sheltered under nice big brollies, a slide and a little baby pool. I really appreciate that the bulk of the outdoor pool is for frolicking and none of this serious going up and down business that can take the fun out of public pools (although yes there are some lanes where you can go up and down if you want to). Inside there's a heated pool, an even warmer toddler pool and then behind a gate an adults-only area with spa, sauna and steam room. The changing facilities are pretty basic in the usual public pool not-flash way so it's not the kind of place you want to be getting ready for work post-swim in the morning. There's the typical swimming related stuff for sale and a small shop with a hot drink machine that sells treats and snacks including hot chips which just taste so much better after a swim. There's also a gym attached which allows members access to the pool as part of their membership. It's not expensive to go just for a swim anyway and if your kid likes to bomb big-styles, this is the place!

I visit OWMP's pool and spa quite often. It seems to me that everything is kept clean and in good…read morecondition, and the service is ok. Maybe the thing worth mentioning to someone who hasn't been there, is that the spa actually closes around 8:15pm, not 9pm as it says on their website. They turn the sauna and steam rooms off around that time, and then pretty much ask you to leave at 8:45pm. Last time I was there a couple of people had arrived at 8 to the spa, and they were quite dissapointed to learn that they only had about 15mins of "bang for their buck". I don't blame the employees for this: they are kids, and probably get paid very little. But I do believe that the correct way to go about it would be for the centre to advertise the correct hours on their website. All in all a good place, just keep in mind that it cloes at 8:15pm, not 9pm as it says on their website.

It seems there is some mass participation sports event every week in Auckland. It's a real strain…read moreon the bank balance if you try to enter everything but the Stroke & Stride Series in Mission Bay are good value and very achieveable distances after work mid week. The field is usually quite large and comprises of some very quick elite athletes but as the events cater for everyone there is no reason to feel nervous. Race day entry is possible if you decide to race last minute but comes at a premium. Online entry is the most cost effective and if you enter more than one event you can get a great package deal. No set opening hours so check the website for event times

This YHA is just off Queen St, providing easy walking access to the core of Auckland. There are a…read morefew YHA-operated paid parking spots available but they have to be booked in advance. The double private ensuite room I stayed in was quite clean, and interestingly, during my stay some of the furniture was actually replaced with new ones as part of a hostel-wide makeover. Note that the room didn't have its own hair dryer, the nearest was in a shared bathroom. This differs from YHA Lake Tekapo which has a hair dryer in the ensuite rooms.

I believe this Hostel was recently renovated. We checked in after a very long fight with two small…read morechildren from Hawaii. Front staff was friendly and accommodating to a family with two small boys, let's just say they don't get too many boys under 18. They Quickly helped us find a parking spot in their small lot out front for $15 New Zealand. ($30 deposit) They even searched high and low and called other hostels to find us the one crib for our two year old they had. She brought it up that night and helped my husband set it up. The crowd is a typical hostel crowd with lots of 18 to 26-year-olds from all over the world. Also, a couple what seem like retirees from Spain and Britain. The crowd is quieter & more well behaved than what I'm used to in hostels. Of course the last time I stayed in a hostel it was probably 1998 in Amsterdam. They have a beautiful commercial type kitchen. There is laundry on site & a game room in the basement. The room is very small, basically our bed, but it was perfect for our family for one night after a long fight. The price was right! (~$50 US) The bathrooms and showers are actually private. I loved the stainless steel shower stall, HOT water & Strong pressure. The breakfast situation wasn't great as nothing is open till late 9ish on Sundays & my kids were starving & up at 0600. We loved dinner in the Stables. We would stay again.

If you're a student at Auckland Uni and you enjoy hitting the gym, then I would recommend checking…read moreout and signing up to the Auckland Uni gym! It's cheap as chips! Only $295 for a 12 month membership (upfront payment for enrolled UoA students), that works out to be roughly $5.70 a week!! Bargain! This gym is fully equipped with machines and free weights, a climbing wall, cardio machines, a stretching room, classes and a female only section. Just recently they have also renovated the bathrooms and showers, so youre able to get fresh and clean before hitting class. They have great locker facilities, however make sure you bring your own lock. However the downside is, after leg day you have four flights of stairs to walk up to get out of the building...... Feel the BURN!! If you're a Uni student wanting to go casually it costs $15. If you're a non-Uni student it costs $20 to go casually. Being a Uni student who likes to stay fit this is a great investment. Although forking out $295 is a lot of money for most Uni students, it will be a cheap investment long term.

The gym which is responsible for the Greek God like body you see before you, well I guess I have…read morekind of let myself go, but let me tell you, back in the day I was looking ripped. Also the cheapest gym around, ends up costing you about $60 per month, and half that if you are a student. Patrons range from casual gym goers to super serious gym buffs, and they have an impressive range of machinery and free weights to comfortably cater to the diverse crowd. It can be a little crowded at times, especially the month leading up to summer, everyone trying to drop those winter pounds. It is a student gym, no plush extras like a sauna, but for $60 a month it's a great deal.

Fiona and Luke who run the Piha Domain Camp also look after the tennis courts…read more This spot is a prime location for a bit of fitness whilst admiring the surrounding scenery. Go play a game with your mates or family before or after a spot of surfing or a swim as another form of exercise. You don't have to be staying in the campgrounds to use the tennis courts, just head up to the campground offices and they will and you the key. Lovely people who work the grounds there. There are two proper courts with turf on them. It can get a little hot in the midst of summer so definitely wear a hat and shoes. It is an amazing place to play tennis. The surrounding area is just spectacular. You can see lion rock from where you play. I definitely prefer it to an indoor space or even any outdoor pace. The views just make it that much better.

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!

A pretty golf course located in South Auckland. It is a par 72 and 5,724 meters long. The fairway…read morecould be better but the greens are in good condition. Relatively easy course with some interesting holes and pretty scenery. Unfortunately it will give way to residential development at some stage.

It irks me that this beautiful golf course will end up as another boring residential area. Sure a…read moresweet deal was made to construct a whole new golf course in Alfriston, but it still means that this one will be killed. I'm not a member, so my voice won't be heard, but I'll be quietly upset anyway. I played Manukau during a recent golf day, and I found it to be a good parklands course, challenging and rewarding. The club house is one of the better ones you'll find in Auckland, and there is a good driving range and pro shop. I'll have to make a plan to give the course a last good go before the club moves down to the cow paddocks. I love the idea of a new golf course, but it is sad to see an old one go, as it can never be replaced, and houses could easily have been built in other areas.