Auckland

Locals call it the “City of Sails,” and you’ll know why before your plane even touches down in Auckland. From the air you can see many of the city’s 70,000 boats bobbing in the crystal-clear waters of Waitemata Harbour. If you want to meet locals, your best bet it to profess a love of sailing. And you'd better have a thing for beautiful beaches, as there are dozens within a short drive.

Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand, with a population of just over 1 million. Over 200,000 inhabitants of Auckland are Pacific Islanders, which makes it the largest Polynesian city in the world. Maori make up about 15 percent of New Zealand's population. Before the arrival of Europeans, Maori society had no particular taboo about homosexuality. The Maori word for “intimate partner of the same sex” is Takatapui, a term that has been adopted by many in the gay community.

Auckland’s gay community here is incredibly welcoming to newcomers. In February, thousands of gay boys and girls turn out for the annual Big Gay Out, held is Auckland’s Coyle Park.
The annual Out Takes Reel Queer Film Festiva has screenings in Auckland and Wellington in May and June.

 

Getting here

Auckland International Airport is about 13 mils southwest of the city. Several shuttle bus companies get you downtown for about $20.
 

Getting around

Local complain that Auckland isn’t as friendly to pedestrians as it could be. True, but it still has many cities beat by a mile. One good way to see downtown is the red City Circuit bus, which loops around the area. The best part: it’s free! For Auckland Transit information see MAXX. If you plan to rent a car, remember they drive on the left side here.

 

Neighborhoods

Much of gay nightlife in Auckland, from neighborhood bars to dance clubs to dinner-and-a-drag-show venues, is in the Newton neighborhood around Karangahape Road (locally known as K’ Road) and Ponsonby Road.

 

What to do

For a night at the cinema The Gecko  (23-B Wallace St) screens independent and international art films just south of Auckand in Motueka. See our events tab for more listings.

 

Currency and Money

The local currency is the New Zealand dollar, known colloquially as the kiwi because there’s an image of the bird on the coins. ATMs are easy to find in the downtown area.

 

Local Media

The gay magazine Express has a news and cultural coverage. Gay NZ has listings of gay bars, shops, accommodations, and events all over New Zealand. OutLine NZ is a support phone line with online events listings.

For general news and information see the NZ Herald.

 

Going out

Caluzzi Cabaret Restaurant (461 Karangahape Road), interactive, award-winning drag caberet show and dinner club.

Dot's (233 Symonds St), long-popular neighborhood bar, game area, function room events, theme parties, weekend drag shows from 10:30pm.

Eagle Bar (259 Karangahape Rd), mixed gay bar/lounge, entertainment, games, bears nights.

Family Bar (270 Karangahape Rd), popular drag show bar, diva stars and Nancy Boys Dance Company, DJ music, karaoke, open nightly until 5am.

Finale Cabaret Restaurant (350 Karangahape Road), drag cabaret and dinner, seatings by 7pm, two shows.

Garnet Station (85 Garnet Rd, Westmere) women's espresso bar and queer sanctuary, open daily 7:30am to midnight.
Serves organic Chiasso coffee and gluten free cakes.100% organic coffee and milk

Kamo (382 Karangahape Rd), gay-friendly bar and restaurant, young crowd, Polynesian style swish.

Rock 'n' Bull (280 Karangahape Rd), gay-friendly steakhouse restaurant, bar and nightclub. Open 3pm until dawn Wednesday to Saturday.

SPQR (150 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby), LGBT-friendly restaurant and bar, friendly staff (mostly gay).

Urge (490 Karangahape Rd), men for men club, leather, bears, cruise, underwear parties, open weekends until 5am, DJs nightly.

Sauna and Sex Clubs

Basement (12 Canada St, Newton), men's cruise playground & adult store; porn lounge, douche and showers, TV lounge, free internet, dungeon, bondage bed. Each 2nd Tuesday Leather/Rubber Night.

Centurian Sauna for Men (18 Beresford Sq, off Pitt from K Rd, Center), private rooms, 3-level theater, maze, TV, sunbed, spa pool. dry and steam sauna, internet, open daily, weekends until 6am.

The Den (348 Karangahape Rd + 16 Wyndham St + 440 Khyber Pass Rd), adult stores, magazines, videos, toys, cruising area, open 7 days.

Lateshift (25 Dundonald St, basement, Newton), large cruise club for men, maze, glory holes, amateur video cubicles, pool tables and games, TV and porn videos, internet, orgy area, nude sessions, open weekends all night until 10am.

The Wingate Club (76 Wingate St, Avondale) Sauna, Spa in West Auckland, swimming pool, large grounds to wander naked if you choose. Open 7 days Midday until late.

 

Accommodations

Aspen House Bed & Breakfast Hotel (62 Emily Place, 9 379-6633; Aspenhouse.co.nz) budget downtown alternative, rooms with private or shared bathrooms, guest laundry service, luggage storage, airport shuttles.

Great Ponsonby Bed & Breakfast (30 Ponsonby Terrace, 9 376-5989; Greatpons.co.nz), small, chic b&b, on quiet Ponsonby cul-de-sac near bars and cafes. Choice of five cooked breakfasts: from smoked salmon scrambled eggs to Greek omelet with feta cheese.

Moana Vista B&B (60 Hamilton Rd, 021-376-150; Moanavista.co.nz) near nightlife action and beaches;

Palm Beach Bungalows (Waiheke Island, 9 372 5146; Palmbeachbungalows.com), seven romantic beachside bungalows and cottages.

Quest Ponsonby (68 Ponsonby Rd, 9 360-4240; Questponsonby.co.nz) near gay venues, restaurants and shops.

Umoya Lodge (30 Rataroa Rd, Pokeno; 9 232-7636; Umoyalodge.co.nz) for tranquility and stunning views from atop Mount Rataroa, an hour south of Auckland.

 

For map locations, phone numbers and website links for the above businesses, see our map & listings tab.