theaucklandguide: Christine went to New Zealand for a 3-week holiday in December 1999 to welcome the 21st century and returned in January 2002 to live for good when she realized that Peter Jackson's Middle Earth (Lord of the Rings) was the best destination not only to visit but also to live. Of course it also helped that Christine's husband is based in New Zealand :-) Let Christine be your Guide in exploring the hidden and magical delights of Auckland...New Zealand's biggest city. Follow her on Twitter @mrsgooding

Find Auckland Restaurants via Menulog.

Having trouble deciding where to eat or what to eat? Then click on Menulog.co.nz. Menulog offers a quick and easy way to search for a restaurant. You can browse through the extensive list of restaurants, read reviews from reputable critics, and check out menus. Each listing has contact details, operating hours, a photo gallery, map, and information on any special offers. Plus you can book online.

April 18th, 2008 | Auckland | Read More

Out of Town: Driving Creek Railway and Potteries.

New Zealand may not have Paris but it does have it’s own ‘Eyefull’ Tower. It’s found at the top of the Driving Creek Railway and Pottery Complex just outside Coromandel Town in the Coromandel Region. Located just 2.5 hours east of Auckland, the Driving Creek Railway evolved through the vision and determination of potter Barry Brickell. A rail enthusiast, Barry started building the narrow gauge rail tracks back in the 1970s as a way of transporting the clay and pine wood located...

April 9th, 2008 | Auckland | Read More

Auckland Bridge Climb

For outdoor adventure and exercise right in the heart of the city, nothing beats the Auckland Bridge Climb. It’s run by AJ Hackett Ltd, the same company that introduced New Zealand and the world to bungy jumping. But fear not, the bridge climb does not require ‘nerves of steel.’ It’s actually a relatively relaxing stroll amongst the metal pyelons and girders. So you don’t have to do any jumping and you don’t have to be superfit. The one and...

April 8th, 2008 | Auckland | Read More

The invention of the paper pot

Tucked in a corner-store spot of a St. Heliers residential neighborhood plaza is a little Japanese restaurant called Eiji. It’s an unassuming place. I even drove by it several times when we lived around the block from it and commented to my wife on how unassuming it was. Until one day I looked at the menu. Pasted onto the inside of the front window were two pages. One was a pretty standard a la carte sushi selection. Rainbow rolls, dragon rolls, veggie rolls, all the usual new-world avant-garde...