Auckland people - help please!
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Topic: Auckland people - help please!
Posted By: IVFGirl1111
Subject: Auckland people - help please!
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 2:53pm
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My brother is taking my wee nephew up to Auckland to Rainbows End.
Anyway they only have 2 free days - so just wanting to know a few things please to see what they can fit in etc. * How far is Kelly Taltons to the zoo? * How far is the zoo to the City? * Is there anything else for them to do in the City apart from go up the Sky Tower? * What is the big mall there again? I cant remember, and is it far from Manaku? * Is there anything else you suggest them doing while they are up there? Last question - How far is Manaku from the City Thanks guys! ------------- TTC 6 years IVF it is IVF/ICSI round one 10 eggs, 8 mature, 3 fertilised BFN IVF/ICSI #2 = 22 eggs! 20 mature, 15 fertilised, 1 fresh transfer and 2 frosties BFN 2 Frosties still in freezer thank god |
Replies:
Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 2:58pm
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My brother is taking my wee nephew up to Auckland to Rainbows End.
Anyway they only have 2 free days - so just wanting to know a few things please to see what they can fit in etc. * How far is Kelly Taltons to the zoo? 15 minutes * How far is the zoo to the City? Five minutes less than above * Is there anything else for them to do in the City apart from go up the Sky Tower? No * What is the big mall there again? I cant remember, and is it far from Manaku? Sylvia Park and im not sure * Is there anything else you suggest them doing while they are up there? The museum is free and they have some cool kids stuff to do Last question - How far is Manaku from the City 30 minutes Obviously this is all in off peak time traffice .. double all of the above should they travel in peak time. ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year  http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: IVFGirl1111
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 3:01pm
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Thanks heaps!
So if they went from the City - which one would they go to first Kelly Taltons then the zoo or other way around? How far is KT and Zoo from Manaku? Where is the museum? ------------- TTC 6 years IVF it is IVF/ICSI round one 10 eggs, 8 mature, 3 fertilised BFN IVF/ICSI #2 = 22 eggs! 20 mature, 15 fertilised, 1 fresh transfer and 2 frosties BFN 2 Frosties still in freezer thank god |
Posted By: GuestGuest
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 3:02pm
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BooBoo wrote:Posted By: IVFGirl1111
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 3:03pm
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Thanks, what is MOTAT?
Thats the one I was thinking about Slyvia Park - where is that? ------------- TTC 6 years IVF it is IVF/ICSI round one 10 eggs, 8 mature, 3 fertilised BFN IVF/ICSI #2 = 22 eggs! 20 mature, 15 fertilised, 1 fresh transfer and 2 frosties BFN 2 Frosties still in freezer thank god |
Posted By: GuestGuest
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 3:04pm
You can get all of this info on googlemaps which is helpful because you can type in directions from one point to another. |
Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 3:04pm
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KT is on the waterfront (so central city), but its a PITA to get to as you need to go along the waterfront from Manukau probably 35 minutes?
The zoo to KT is pretty easy, just come off at the port and drive along the waterfront .. probably 15 minutes all up. The museum is in the domain (Parnell/Newmarket), if they came off at the port they are literally less than five minutes away from it. The museum is also probably a 10 minute drive to KT. Why are they staying in South Auckland? ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 3:05pm
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Motat is by the zoo
Sylvia park is in mt wellington and the museum isnt free anymore? (wasnt last time i went) The mall in manakau is pretty good too really ------------- http://lilypie.com] 
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Posted By: Nikki
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 3:07pm
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Just adding to the above answers:
Sylvia park is probably about 10mins from manukau I think. St lukes in another big mall right by the zoo. Theres a mall at manukau too (they all have similar shops). There is western springs park near the zoo too (only 5 mins or so from town) which is free and they can feed the ducks. Motat is good too, right by the zoo/western springs/st lukes. In town there is a maritime museum and the viaduct to see boats, but not much else for kids that I can think of. Eta - OMG, there were so many responses in the time I fluffed around typing mine! haha  ------------- DS (5yrs) and DD (3yrs) |
Posted By: GuestGuest
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 3:07pm
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http://www.motat.org.nz/ - http://www.motat.org.nz/
12kms from Manukau to Sylvia Park. |
Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 3:08pm
Yep its definately still free .. they ask for a donation though and they do have people sitting at the door asking for one, however it is free and you can decline to donate. ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: IVFGirl1111
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 3:09pm
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What is Motat though?'
They wont have a car while they are there, just going on buses etc. They are staying in Manukau ------------- TTC 6 years IVF it is IVF/ICSI round one 10 eggs, 8 mature, 3 fertilised BFN IVF/ICSI #2 = 22 eggs! 20 mature, 15 fertilised, 1 fresh transfer and 2 frosties BFN 2 Frosties still in freezer thank god |
Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 3:13pm
Buses? Eekk .. ok that makes a huge difference, its going to be a mission! Motat is a museum of transport and technology, they have old stuff like planes, trains, cars .. they even have an old time village. It would bore me senseless, but some people enjoy it. ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: GuestGuest
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 3:15pm
Holy Moley! I wouldn't try doing all of that on a bus!! |
Posted By: Turtle
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 3:15pm
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Motat - Museum of Transport and Technology http://www.motat.org.nz/
It will take around 45 minutes on the bus from Manukau Westfield into town. |
Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 3:17pm
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I just checked max (the transport site) and its 1 hour 45 minutes to get from Manukau Shopping Centre to the zoo!
1 hour 30 from Manuakau Shopping Centre to Kelly Tarltons. ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 3:18pm
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Oh and thats two buses (you cant go direct) ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 3:18pm
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the zoo is probably an all day thing, esp if they have to bus. take a lunch and have a really cool time. so thats one day, and then rainbows end on the second day and they are done. or they could catch a bus to town and have a wander then take a ferry to devonport and have lunch and play at the beach. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: ?Lolly?
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 3:31pm
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Jeez, they are trying to do way too much for two days! Especially if they don't have a car.
Everyone has pretty much covered everything. I'd suggest the Zoo or Motat. (Ministry of transport and technology) Both are more 1 whole day things, although the Zoo offers more I should imagine. Kelly Tartons is really expensive what what it is and getting there on a bus from manakau would be pita. Manukau has a big mall right next to Rainbow's end. chances are they could probably walk there depending on where they are staying. ------------- Captain Chaos (5) & the Trouble Monsters (2!) 
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 3:31pm
lol i was doing the same. came up with ihr 33 mins max for me, but yes two buses. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: ?Lolly?
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 3:32pm
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Or if they were looking for somewhere closer to Manakau there is Butterfly creek, out by the Airport. They have Crocodiles there too now. And a mini Golf too. ------------- Captain Chaos (5) & the Trouble Monsters (2!)
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Posted By: HoneybunsMa
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 3:38pm
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Ooohhh doing anything by bus in Auckland is a mission. If they want to go to a mall, just go to the Manukau westfield, its pretty big, not as big as Sylvia Park, but still pretty big. Rainbows End is definitely an all day thing, well depending on how old the child is but hours are 10-6pm or were last time I went (which was years ago) Going by bus to the zoo or kelly tarltons would be so annoying from Manukau and expensive. Its at least $6 from Manukau to City now. Unfortunatley there are no trains going through Manukau either that I'm aware of, this would be easier and cut down on time. I would go to either the zoo or kelly tarltons if they want to go somewhere on the second day. In the city there isn't really much for kids to do. ( I basically live in the city because of work) Sky tower, and wander round the gift shop. There is the Atrium shopping centre to have a wander round and queen street, go for a walk around the viaduct, which would be even more interesting if there was a cruise ship in that day. I think there is a free bus to kelly tarltons, but the buses go along there quite frequently from britomart, and if your going to do that you can jump on and go a little further through to mission bay for lunch. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: M2K
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 3:38pm
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Been a while since I was up there but I used to bus to K Rd or Queens St and then jump on that bus... it went near the museum.
www.linkbus.co.nz But as for the other places, by bus or train I have no idea! ------------- 
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Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 3:40pm
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Good thinking emiloly - much better than a bunch of sleeping animals at the zoo!! hs a petting zoo and all
http://www.butterflycreek.co.nz/prices.html bit expensive but worth it Id say ------------- http://lilypie.com]
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Posted By: IVFGirl1111
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 3:45pm
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Thanks guys your all legends!
Sorry should have said they are there for 3 days so one of those is Rainbows End and the other 2 are free days, so they wernt trying to do all that and Rainbows End in the 2 days hehe. Hmmm decisions decisions! Might tell them to look into a car do you think? ------------- TTC 6 years IVF it is IVF/ICSI round one 10 eggs, 8 mature, 3 fertilised BFN IVF/ICSI #2 = 22 eggs! 20 mature, 15 fertilised, 1 fresh transfer and 2 frosties BFN 2 Frosties still in freezer thank god |
Posted By: IVFGirl1111
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 3:47pm
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Which website did you guys get the bus info from? ------------- TTC 6 years IVF it is IVF/ICSI round one 10 eggs, 8 mature, 3 fertilised BFN IVF/ICSI #2 = 22 eggs! 20 mature, 15 fertilised, 1 fresh transfer and 2 frosties BFN 2 Frosties still in freezer thank god |
Posted By: Raspberryjam
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 3:48pm
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http://www.rentalcarnz.co.nz/auckland-car-hire.php
$15 bucks a day for a rental car - cant go wrong - cheaper than the bus!!! (may pay to invest in a map though) AKL only ------------- http://lilypie.com]
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Posted By: Turtle
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 3:50pm
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Yes recomend they get a car. To get anywhere by bus in Auckland first of all you have to go into the city and then catch another bus out to where you want to go.
http://www.maxx.co.nz/ Butterfly creek is only 10 minutes out of Manukau so you could do that the same day as going to the mall. |
Posted By: GuestGuest
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 4:02pm
Will definitely be less hassle but with the petrol on top won't be cheaper than a bus I don't reckon. |
Posted By: BriAndOlisMum
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 4:04pm
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i personally think that the manakau mall is alot better than sylvia park but that is just me. sylvia park seems to have mostly clothes shops.
Rainbows end one day, butterfly creek the second day and the zoo and western springs park on day 3 maybe. -------------  http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 4:18pm
I don't have anything to add to the other replies but just wanted to say LF, if you haven't been to MOTAT you should check it out, it sounds boring but it's actually really cool! Lots of really interesting things to see (the challenge zone in particular is awesome - kids love the mirror maze and the tactile dome etc - but possibly better for slightly older kids I think)  ------------- 
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: ?Lolly?
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 4:19pm
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I prefer Manukau shopping center but I practically live ov top of Silvia park. I'd go to Manukau if you closer, I think the only shops sp has that mk doesn't is Boarders - secrets - katmandu - teddy bear factoy - lolly making shop?? there are few others but can't think of them. If they hire a car they could drive out to Onehunga Dress Mart which has factory outlets if they are looking for some bargains? ------------- Captain Chaos (5) & the Trouble Monsters (2!)
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Posted By: ?Lolly?
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 4:34pm
My family  Motat. Especially Ethan! They have a bunch of old houses, which sounds boring but is kinda cool to see how people in nz They even have a forge that they fire up at times. 'use to live' a train to climb on, heaps of old cars, the Jean battern Museum. A working steam train which runs from the Aviation hanger. The mirror maze a huge hit with the kids, and space ship type thing that makes u feel like your flying. Heaps to see and do. plus it's quite cheep in comparison to some other things.
I'm pretty sure that a family year pass is around $60. ------------- Captain Chaos (5) & the Trouble Monsters (2!)
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 4:45pm
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Motat is definitley pretty cool, and the tram now goes all the way to the aviation museum too so you get more for your money. and the whole place is much more interactive, experiments to do, stocks to be put in, sometimes a fire engine demonstration.
sylvia park is more kids orientated, it has the mcd's playgound at one end and the other cool outdoor one at the other end by columbus coffee. and of course the lollipop demo too. butterfly creek doesnt - as far as i am aware - have a bus service running to it. there is the airporter but i dont know if it stops anywhere else but the domestic and international terminals. i live in south auckland and depending on what time he wanted to do things could possibly drop him off. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 4:45pm
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oh and the mini golf is separate to butterfly creek but right next door. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: Nikki
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 6:46pm
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Jake loves motat too ... you could definitely do the zoo and motat in one day (right next to each other, with western springs in the middle). We get around the zoo in half a day. ------------- DS (5yrs) and DD (3yrs) |
Posted By: Babykatnz
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 7:42pm
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I went to the zoo last week and it was an all day thing (spread it out to try and catch the eye-to-eye encounters but missed them all by a few minutes each time!) MOTAT is usually really good during school hols, not so much during term time as they have extra activities during the holidays. ------------- Brandon - 05/12/2003  
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Posted By: lil_miss
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 10:09pm
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If they can get a bus or train into central Auckland - why not use the Auckland Explorer bus.. its a hop on hop off bus and stops at all the attractions :)
There's a bus that goes from Manukau straight into the city to Britomart. http://www.explorerbus.co.nz/ |
Posted By: IVFGirl1111
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 9:20am
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Thanks guys you are all so awesome!
Thanks Bizzy that is a very kind offer, Im trying to talk them into getting a car so I think they will be sweet - but thank you SO much! Ive printed everything off for him - my wee nephew is SO excited! First time on a plane and everything - only 1 sleep to go now was the first thing he said when he rang me this morning - so cute!  ------------- TTC 6 years IVF it is IVF/ICSI round one 10 eggs, 8 mature, 3 fertilised BFN IVF/ICSI #2 = 22 eggs! 20 mature, 15 fertilised, 1 fresh transfer and 2 frosties BFN 2 Frosties still in freezer thank god |
Posted By: jaz
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 11:14am
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I'll add my two cents with some suggestions.
Visit Auckland Zoo or Motat ($15-$20). You can get the tram between the two, included in the cost of Motat or about $2 if you have to pay. Visit Western Springs park before or afterwards for a walk around the lake, play in the playground or feed the ducks. Visit Auckland museum ($5) especially their discovery area which has lots of hands on activites. The museum is located in the Domain which is worth a walk around. You can look around the Wintergardens which is only about 1km from the museum, if that. Kelly Tarltons is pricy and only takes an hour or so to look around. It is about 2km from Mission Bay a popular cafe and beach area with a good playground so these two would make a good day trip. There is also a mini golf course at Hobson Bay, and its a nice walk around the waterfront to get there. Personally I'd skip Kelly Tarltons as it is expensive for the time you get there. Butterfly creek has a petting zoo, train ride, butterfly house, crocodile park etc, and a nice cafe with a good playground. Treasure Island mini golf is very close by, I would say you could walk there. Not sure if either are on public transport route though. Sylvia Park - good shopping centre with cinemas, playgrounds and lots of places to eat but if you are at Manukau anyway I would stick with the Manukau Mall. You could walk there from Rainbows End, about 500m I think. City - sky tower is ok, there are movies and things but not much else in the city except eating places and shopping. Maritime Museum is ok and located at the bottom of town. You could get a ferry either to Devonport, then have lunch there or walk around to North Head and explore the old barracks and tunnels, take a torch though. Alternatively you could get a ferry to Rangitoto and climb to the summit (take your food and water as there is nothing on the island). There are also harbour cruises and I think the Maritime museum has some sort of combo that includes a boat trip. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: IVFGirl1111
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 11:59am
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Thanks Jaz, thats awesome information too!
You guys rock ------------- TTC 6 years IVF it is IVF/ICSI round one 10 eggs, 8 mature, 3 fertilised BFN IVF/ICSI #2 = 22 eggs! 20 mature, 15 fertilised, 1 fresh transfer and 2 frosties BFN 2 Frosties still in freezer thank god |
Posted By: Moochiecat
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 11:19pm
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Hi - just a thought - but we recently were told by 3 separate groups of parents that Kelly tartlons is very very pricey for what it is. $30 per adult. And it takes about 1 hour to do the whole place. They said they wouldnt go back.
The zoo on the other hand is brilliant. The monkey enclosures are wonderful. And the otters also. The zoo always is a winner for us and DD. Mall wise - St Lukes mall is very close to the zoo (3 min drive) - its pretty big. Sylia park is pretty good too. Hopefully auckland puts on great weather and helpful people for your visit. |