Jasmine J.'s
Best Kids' Activities
- 17Pizza BarnWaipu CoveWhat child doesn’t like pizza? I swear they all do. Pizza Barn is fabulously family friendly with a versatile menu. If you’ve got a particularly fussy little one they can easily make something to suit them, like plain cheese on a pizza base, no sauce. Haha whatever keeps them happy! Children love it and I love their varied pizza options too, mmm anything with olives please!
- 23Event Cinemas WhangareiWhangarei CentralRainy days can make everyone a little bit cabin crazy. Fortunately the cinemas always save the day! The Whangarei Events Cinemas always have at least one awesome kids movie to keep the little ones occupied. Depending on their age you could even drop them off there and have a few gorgeous hours mooching around town by yourself.
- 32Action WorldPaihiaThis is a children’s dream. You can fly a trapeze, swing like tarzan, joust each other off a stand, rock the climbing wall and slip down a super-speedy slide. Action world is action-packed fun, and a sure fire way to tire out everyone in the family and make sure you all get a good night’s sleep after. The staff are really conscious of safety, I’ve always felt secure in their hand. It’s really reasonably priced too. Children are $18 or a family pass is $65. They also have 18 hole mini golf - awesome!
- 42Little Dippers SwimmingKerikeriKids need to know how to swim. Living in New Zealand it’s impossible to avoid the water, besides splashing around confidently at the beach is half the fun of summer! I love Little Dippers because the teachers are really calm and patient, helping boost little ones confidence so they’ll be swimming like fish in no time.
- 56Sheepworld Farm & Nature ParkWarkworthSeeing animals up close is a childhood wonder. Feeling the oily wool on the sheep or the hard bristles on a pig is an important part of growing up and learning about the animals around us. Sheepworld Farm and Nature Park keep kids thoroughly entertained and give them a great learning experience, specially if you don’t have these sorts of animals at home. I love how interactive they are, letting kids milk cows and feed lambs. Everyone gets to touch and the kids leave with massive grins wanting piglets for christmas!
Jasmine J.'s
Best Cafe's with Wifi
- 11Marina CafeOpuaSeagulls swoop past while you look out the window at a flock of gorgeous yachts, sails proudly displayed. This can only mean you’re at the Marina Cafe in Opua! This is close to my home and I come here when I want some ‘me time’ or need to work. I love their creamy coffee and their wifi never fails. Their internet is actually run by the shop next door but you’re allowed to use it in the cafe. I’m pretty sure the wifi is called marina shop and the password is cruisers0315. Enjoy!
- 22El CafePaihiaYou will always find a lone bohemian traveler in here checking out the breaking news on Facebook. I love this cafe because the food is delicious, atmosphere is relaxing and it has consistent wifi for all your social media needs.
- 32Mokaba CafeWhangarei CentralThese guys know that cake makes a perfect accompaniment to free wifi. They’ll keep you here for hours with their awesome cabinet full of tantilising home made sweet treats. My favourite is the decadent carrot cake with cream cheese icing.
- 41SeaChange Beach CafeRuakakaThis place is a dream. You can look out at the roaring waves or walk a few metres and you’ll get sandy toes is how close it is to the water! Writing up some work or answering emails on their free wifi is totally bearable in that blissful atmosphere. They also have awesome seafood like their creamy prawn salad - super yum!
- 51Bob CafeWhangarei CentralA cool historic building, great velvety coffee, free wifi and - Bob’s your uncle - you’ve got a rad place to hang! I love that these guys source local growers and organic produce for their tasty menu. They are well know for their scrummy comfort food like hot meat pies, cronuts and hot cross buns.
Jasmine J.'s
Local Hot Spots
- 11Jetsom ArtspaceKerikeriJetsom Artspace opened their doors on Valentines Day, appropriate because they are the new love of the town! They’re a groovy artspace here to stay in Kerikeri. They host monthly exhibitions and sell a collection of art, jewellery, clothes and furniture. The owner Sheree Edwards makes absolutely astounding furniture that would fit even in the trendiest home! Go have a squiz for fun or peruse the collections a bit more seriously if you have a blank wall screaming out for artwork.
- 21Hot Ginger GalleryKerikeriHot Ginger is a pea in a pod with Jetsom. It also opened on Valentines Day and is run by an extremely passionate woman Monika Welch. She is the owner and main artist of the gallery and paints brightly coloured, whimisical pictures. She’s a real crowd pleaser and makes art in a variety of formats and prices to suit anyone. She also runs FINK (Families In Need Kerikeri) which is an awesome charitable organisation. How could you not love this place?!
- 31Studio 33KerikeriThis is what Kerikeri has been crying out for. Studio 33 swung into action a few weeks ago in their stunning new premises. They’ve renovated and really raised the bar for aesthetic and service in the holistic wellness field. They’re a one stop shop for massage, physiotherapy and pilates classes. I can guarantee they’ll be a hit with the locals!
- 41Photos by AlanaWhangarei CentralThis talented photographer has recently sprung out of the woodwork and is now offering her talented services to the people of Whangarei. Alana is great at making people feel comfortable in front of the ever-intimidating camera and getting the best out of her subjects. You’ll end up with stunning photos that look relaxed and natural.
- 51Northland Valet ServicesWaipapaA Northland vehicle is a dirty vehicle. Mine is caked in mud from getting stuck in a ditch, has a film of sand over everything inside while little piles of rubbish accumulate on the floor. Eventually it can get overwhelming and that’s when you call in these guys. Northland Valet Services are total pros when it comes to cleaning up your car. Even though they’re new guys on the block they’re already racking up an impressive reputation from people happily zipping around in squeaky-clean cars!
Jasmine J.'s
The Best Fresh Seafood
- 13Percy's Fish ShopKaikoheFollow the colourful glossy paintings down the sidewalk on Broadway and you’ll reach Percy’s Fish Shop - a local favourite. They sell fresh seafood for you to take away as well as kai you can buy there. They do massive portions of crispy fries so you can have some of those while you mull over which fish to buy for dinner. They do awesome punnets of mussells and kina at a really reasonable price.
- 29Mangonui Fish ShopMangonuiRange and quality are two things Mangonui Fish Shop aces. They have a catch that encompasses hapuku, bluenose, gemfish and other firm-fleshed deep water species. All are caught fresh in the morning and you can either buy them as they are or get the cooked in a light crunchy batter. They also have a delicious range of nibbly things like crab salad, shrimps in seafood sauce and pottles of mussels and oysters - yum yum yum!
- 31Matakana Fish CompanyMatakanaThese guys serve flipping fresh fish. They do awesome fillets or whole fish of hauraki snapper, red gurnard, yellowfin tuna, tarakihi, hapuka, home cured salmon and heaps more. While you’re waiting or if imagining fresh fish makes you peckish try some of their salmon gravlax on a doughy bagel or their incredibly presented paella. It comes with heaps of succulent shellfish, the perfect market meal in Matakana!
- 41Rawene's FishmongerRaweneFishmonger Nick Williams is about the most interesting person you’ll ever meet. He’s got rubber bands in his beard, wears swanndris religiously and is always mumbling a new expression. He sells the fish his crew catch in the harbour that day. He’s normally got mullet and flounder on the menu. I bought some of his flounder a while ago and he gave me the best directions on how to cook it (dust it in flour and herbs then fry it in butter for three minutes either side). Now I’m addicted and can’t wait to go back!
- 54Two Fish CafeWaipu CoveClassic kiwi fare done especially well is how the Two Fish Cafe rock and rolls. I love their kind caring mantra that focuses on keeping the community happy as larry with their space and menu. While they’re not exclusively fish they do fish very well. My favourite dish is the grilled market fish burger that comes with red slaw and a smokey yogurt dressing - it sounds unusual but it is YUM!
Jasmine J.'s
Favourite Local Eats
- 12El CafePaihiaEl Cafe is the bomb-diggity. They provide delicious, cheap and healthy food - how often do you get the perfect combo like that?! My favourite is the chorizo breakfast burrito which is only $9.50. I pair that with a bright-purple blueberry smoothie and I feel like I’ve made the best start to my day. Their decor is super groovy, backpackers frequent the place so it really feels like you’re in an exotic cafe.
- 24Food at WharepukeKerikeriEating delicate, sensually-spiced kai in a lush tropical garden is my idea of paradise. Wharepuke is my go-to when I want to impress someone. I took my partner there for his birthday lunch and he was wowed by the lemony, tender snapper only to be topped by the double-decker carrot cake that was oh so decadent. Prices are a wee bit higher than a cheap eat (like $20-something for a main) but it’s well worth it when you’ve got a special occasion to celebrate.
- 32The OfficeMatapouriThe Office definitely takes the cake of being best eatery in south Whangarei. I pass through here frequently because my mum lives in Maungakaramea and we never let an opportunity slide to visit. Every meal they do here is brilliant - massive portions, lots of sauce and fabulous quality. The crispy potato pieces with sour cream, cheese and bacon are sure crowd pleasers and I can’t help but inhale their smoothies they’re so good. Their eggs benedict is the bomb!
- 44These guys are more authentic than real Italians. Their menu is broad and has something for everyone (even a kids menu). My absolute to-die-for dish is the rolled roast free range chicken. It’s stuffed with blue cheese, pine nuts and spinach on a pumpkin and feta salad. It’s $29, a price I would gladly pay as every mouthful is heaven.
- 53Deluca CafeWhangarei Central‘Having eyes bigger than your stomach’ is exactly what affects me when I waltz into Deluca. I instantly want one of everything. From their healthy, crisp salads to their gooey, sweet brioches. Some of my top picks from the menu include the kumura stack with a poached egg, salmon and hollandaise or the pancakes served with sticky, salted caramel. You can’t go wrong in this joint as they’ve got their cuisine down-pat!
Jasmine J.'s
Best Craft Beer
- 16Brauhaus Frings BreweryWhangarei CentralIt couldn’t be a best craft beer list without Brauhaus Frings topping the lot. I would even go as far to say these guys are the best craft brewery to visit in Northland. They always offer four tip-top tap brews that sizzle and simmer on your palate. Try their lager, draught, old ale or pilsner on tap. The champions manning the bar will be able to push you in the right direction for your tastes. If you’re after something different try their alcoholic ginger beer or apple cider.
- 22Brewers World Hop ShopAvenuesWhy try other peoples’ craft beers when you can have twice the fun making your own? The top staff at Brewers World give you the know-how and the gear so you can ‘hop’ to it and make bubbling brews for you and friends to enjoy. Acing an ale or pouring a pilsner will be a labour of love once you walk it through every step of the journey.
- 34La Taza Del DiabloKerikeriThese guys transport you back to Mexico’s Day of the Dead with a wicked range of beer. They have some classic brews like corona for those who don’t want to stray too far from the norm. Then they have spicy, boozey latino craft beers for those who want to explore something a little different. My favourite is the Desperados which is a mix of tequila and beer - dangerous!
- 48The Old Stone Butter FactoryWhangarei CentralYou’ll be paralysed by choice when you enter this hoppy haven. The Old Stone Butter Factory has a massive range of craft brews - Tuatara, Leigh Sawmill, Three Boys, Hawkes Bay Independant Brewery and Harringtons are just to name a few. They start from a standard $7 and range up to a valuable $14 pint of nectar.