Sherie is a shirtmaker and designer from Auckland who has her own label. We love the relaxed elegance and luxurious practicality of her designs and we love the natural, simplistic guide to Auckland that she put together - it's got us a little bit homesick! This is Auckland, by Sherie.
pictures by Sherie Muijs unless specified
Sherie setting up a brunch party in Auckland
one. Best thing about Auckland? Is that you are never far from the sea. In less than 30 minutes at any given moment, you can escape the chaos of the city to find vast landscapes and endless horizons.
two. Worst thing about Auckland? Its four seasons in one day is an ongoing frustration amongst most. One needs to be prepared for rain, hail and shine ev-ery-day.
three. Favourite secret spot? Pah Homestead, nestled not far from where I grew up.
four. Favourite everyone-knows-it-but-it's-still-good spot? The Botanical Gardens, most commonly visited by tourists or high-school photography students, but I still love it all the same.
At Karikari with friends
five. What is your newest discovery in Auckland? What about somewhere you've been going forever but can't quite give up? Thanks to a friend, earlier this year I discovered the Hillary Trail at Karikari Beach. After a decent trek along the beach and then hike up endless hills, you reach the most outstanding view. Never far from Auckland is there a bush walk to discover or waterfall to find.
six. Where is the best place for.... morning coffee/pick-me-up? meal with friends? romantic rendez-vous? late night drink? even later-night boogie? Supreme Coffee on Douglas Street offers the best selection of coffees. My personal favourite is a filtered Yirgacheffe. My pick for somewhere to go for a meal with friends is Sunday Painters. I recently had my first meal there with the girls and imagine it will be the first of many. There are numerous reasons to want to go back, but the most compelling of them all are the bowl of hand-cut fries with caper mayonnaise! This restaurant is as equally fitting for a meal with girlfriends as it is for a romantic rendezvous. I also recently celebrated a milestone with my husband there with a bottle of champagne (and a side of fries of course). Following that, a late night drink at The Golden Dawn will top off any great night.
Coffee Supreme - source
seven. Where are Auckland's style spots? Where is the best shopping? Fabric and Scotties Boutique downtown house some of my utmost favorite designers -- Comme des Garcons, Dries van Noten, A.P.C, Isabel Marant and Margaret Howell. And while in the city, Auckland’s Britomart precinct is a fairly new development, where you are spoilt for choice when it comes to New Zealand designers and great bars and restaurants.
eight. What is something you can get/read/experience/eat that you can only do in Auckland? Catch the ferry over to Waiheke Island, hire a scooter and explore the island. If you have the time, hire a bach for a weekend, visit their local markets, taste a local brew or two and unwind with yoga or a pottery class perhaps.
nine. You can tell a lot about a city from their airport. Describe Auckland's. A work in progress…
ten. How would your describe Auckland to someone who has never been there before? Incredibly diverse, a city of cities.
Waiheke beach - source
Benah's This Is My City guides: