New Zealand: The Last Few Months On 35mm Film

Kia ora you lovely bunch!

I’ve been banging on about it for months, but I will *officially* be leaving New Zealand in just a short while! New Zealand has been home for pushing three years (!) and, my goodness, it’s been a rollercoaster. Arriving here, I was convinced it would be exactly like Australia and I would squeeze on in nice and easy. Woah, was I very wrong.  But, those are stories for another post and another day.

Recently, I invested in an old school 35mm film camera. Cementing my status as a hipster wannabe (finally!). Aside from that, I’ve been experimenting with some different films and angles. Honestly, what better way to show off the place that’s been my home and base. Auckland, I will miss you and the beautiful people I’ve met here dearly. Even though I’m going onto new adventures, there’ll always be a piece of my heart here (and a piece of my dignity on the Family Bar dancefloor).

We’ll start with some snaps of the beautiful Bayfield Mansion of Bayfield Road. Four floors of absolute goodness, with ten gorgeous people. This sounds like a lot, but honestly, the house is just SO BIG. It never felt like we were stepping on each other’s toes and we had loads of space, but there was always someone to hang out with. Never have I been so close to living in a sorority house (my uni house came pretty close), and I’ve adored being around such fun and inspiring people. This has been my home in Auckland for two years, and I couldn’t have asked for a better home (or a better view!).

This one’s for you, Bayfield!

Phil and I often walk to Ponsonby Road, which is about 10 minutes from Bayfield Mansion. Living this close to one of Auckland’s hippest neighbourhoods has had such a hit on our wallets. Think coffee, brunch, dinner, and cocktails, at least three times a week. All in the name of #TreatingOurselves.

  

Those who tell me they’ve visited New Zealand always tend to have a pretty bleak view of Auckland, and I did when I first came to live here. It’s easy to think of Auckland as nothing more than your bog-standard city centre (which, to be honest, is pretty grim).

However, Auckland has heaps of hidden gems. For example, you’ll be extremely surprised with how many bloody volcanos AKL boasts. If you don’t know, its over FIFTY! The most recent volcanic eruption was only a mere six hundred years ago, and most of the volcanos are in the metropolitan area. The Auckland volcanic field, although destined to blow in the future, does have its advantages, though. One of my favourite vantage points to view the skyline is Mount Victoria in Devonport. This extinct volcano has 360 views of the greater Auckland area (and is always quieter than the city volcanos!).

Don’t get me started on how many amazing places there are around Auckland. I’ve written a guide to the best day trips from Auckland here. But below are some of my favourite spots I’ve been to. This bunch of snaps are from a few weeks ago in Mangawhai, where there’s a HUGE dune that feels like you’ve been transported to Arabia. This isn’t even the biggest dune in New Zealand. Up near the cape (the most northern part of NZ), there are the Great Sand Dunes which span a sandy landscape for miles and miles. Isn’t that the beauty of New Zealand though? You have such varied nature at your doorstep, that you’re surprised with every new place you see.

Just a lonesome one here from Kitekite falls, near Piha.

This is one of my favourite waterfalls in Auckland. It’s super accessible and feels a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of Queen Street. Perfect for a refreshing dip!

Although Auckland, and the rest of NZ, is stunning, the main things I will miss are the amazing people I have met here, and my beautiful group of strong women! They’ve taught me so much in these last few years, and I feel like I’m a stronger, more put-together adult thanks to them. I only wish I had more pictures like this to remind me how fierce, and not to be messed with, we are!

Auckland, you did it. You made me love you and rave about you when in the beginning I thought you were bland and unlovable. You should be very proud of yourself. Thanks for being kind but also tough, and giving me such a great selection of memories to look back on. The best part? I can now live my Casablanca fantasy and say… We’ll always have Auckland.  

Haere ra.