Auckland, New Zealand. A wonderful place to visit or live.  I decided to write this guide after seeing and reading so many reviews and guides that promote tourist places to visit and being disappointed. These locations are great, but usually expensive and the reviews are more often advertisements not true reviews. My guide is from a locals point of view - a local with a child, so the places I visit are fun, easy access, cheap, honest and normal!! If you want to bungy jump or sky dive you've come to the wrong place.

I live in what is labelled as South Auckland in a semi rural area called Alfriston. I'm 15 minutes from Auckland International airport and five minutes from Ardmore Airport (country's busiest little airport). If you want to park your private jet somewhere Ardmore is the place!! I am also 15 minutes drive down the Southern motorway to the Auckland CBD so my location is a good balance of the tranquil country and the bustling city.

In July 2006 I stopped working full time to have a baby. My son Finn was born 16 August and my goal is now holding off returning to work for as long as possible to raise him myself - no nanny's thanks! Until Finn's birth I worked in the Auckland CBD and frequented bars, restaurants and cafes. I don't miss this too much, but now I have motherhood semi-under control I'm trying to socialize Finn. Getting around with a child is not easy. You have to pack everything needed for the day - nappies, spare clothes, pram, blankets - it all requires considerable planning. Then you have to make sure there's access pram when you arrive. I have been surprised at the amount of stores that have aisles clogged with display and not enough room for a pram.  Children's stores are often the worst offenders!

Each review I write considers access, price, weather, time of year, noise, staff, atmosphere and location. If there's anything I leave out please feel free to ask me. I try to include photographs. If there's a place you want to see or know more about just ask.