Welcome to Auckland!

Welcome to Auckland!

If this is your first time visiting or working in Auckland, this page is designed to help you navigate the basics of settling into your new home.

Accommodation

Housing is extremely expensive in Auckland; most students choose to share a flat. The website TradeMe is much like Craig’s List: it is used to find flatshares, used goods, services, etc.

The Central Business District (CBD) of Auckland is the most vibrant, with cafés, bars, and clubs, but it is also the most expensive. Nearby neighbourhoods include Ponsonby and Freeman’s Bay (gentrified Boho), Parnell (up-market, where former Prime Minister John Key resides), Grafton and Newmarket (gentrifying), Mt. Eden (quaint), Kingsland (small but lively), and Mt. Albert (quiet).

If you are travelling from overseas, it is a good idea to arrange temporary accommodation at a hostel (called a ‘backpackers’ in NZ) when you first arrive. The closest one to our campus is called Grafton House, it’s about a 10-min walk from the building. A bit further in Parnell is my personal favorite, City Garden Lodge. It has a sister building just down the street, Lantana Lodge. These can all be booked through the HostelWorld website and cost ~$30/night for a bunk in a shared room. Be aware that there is an illegal culture of methamphetamine use in NZ, where it is known as “P.” Avoid SilverFern, which has a reputation for drug use. When in doubt, read the reviews!

Department Induction

The safety requirements to begin research in the department are quite rigorous; expect a two-week delay before proper, independent research can begin. Lynne Carter has prepared a welcome pack for starting PhD students, much of the information is generally useful for visitors. Building 529, where our labs are located, is highly secured; the following steps outline the process of starting work:

  1. Obtain a university ID card by going to the Clocktower (Bldg 105 on the Campus Map)
  2. Schedule a building induction with Peter Martin (peter.martin@auckland.ac.nz); after this he and your supervisor will sign a form. Take the form to Lynne Carter in the ground-floor office and she will arrange for you to receive a keycard to access the building.
  3. Write a HAZOP for your overall experimental procedure, this will include multiple pieces of equipment in multiple laboratories; get your supervisor to sign the completed HAZOP. Write the HAZOP broadly enough to encompass work that you will do in several weeks time, otherwise you will have to constantly update your HAZOP.
  4. Get your supervisor, the lab manager, and the person in charge to sign an authorization for each laboratory that you will use. Place these authorizations in your green folder, along with your HAZOP.
  5. Print MSDS’ for every chemical that you use and keep these in your green folder. The pdfs for some common MSDS’ is posted within the internal group page.

Transport

Auckland CBD is highly walkable, if you don’t mind hills! It is the largest city located on an active volcano field, and there are over 50 volcanoes in the city and surrounds, many of which are public parks with great views. There are also many green cycle lanes throughout the city, as well as designated cycle paths, like Grafton Gully, that are restricted to bicycles and pedestrians. Used bicycles start around $200, they are commonly found on TradeMe, but if you aren’t a bicycle expert, local shops like T. Whytes are extremely helpful and guarantee their bicycles.

Public transit includes buses, trains, and ferries managed by Auckland Transport (AT). Be sure to buy an AT Hop card (this can be purchased at the Kate Edger Student Union; transport hubs, like Britomart; or some corner shops, called ‘dairies’) to reduce the cost of each fare. Use the journey planner to help you navigate between locations. The frequency of trips is noticeably less than in other similarly sized cities, so be sure to plan your journey in advance to avoid waiting.

Local Sights and Activities

  • Mt. Eden, volcanic park close to campus
  • Waiheke Island, ferry over to hikes, swimming, and vineyards
  • Rangitoto, ferry over to the iconic volcano in Hauraki Bay and take trails to the summit
  • Mission Bay and St. Heliers, beautiful beaches with seaside pubs and cafés
  • Takapuna Beaches, enjoy beach culture with nearby pubs
  • Waitakere Ranges, West coast black-sand beaches and hiking, notable for Piha Beach, Bethell’s Beach, Muriwai Beach, and the gannet colony
  • Academy Cinemas, art films under the main public library, half-price tickets on Wednesdays
  • Aotea Square, civic centre that commonly hosts public events year round
  • Vulcan’s Lane, alley with cafés, bars, and restaurants in the city centre
  • Karangahape Road (K’Rd), vibrant counterculture area, beware sextrade activities at night