
My Secret Auckland: Tenor Chris McRae shares his favourite spots in the city
In this Herald on Sunday series, we ask well-known Aucklanders for their favourite spots in the city. This week, tenor Chris McRae takes us on a tour of his top places.
Favourite beach?
Mission Bay, preferably with a coffee. Amazing views and an excellent spot to go dog watching (which,

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NZ Herald
4 days ago
- NZ Herald
My Secret Auckland: Tenor Chris McRae shares his favourite spots in the city
In this Herald on Sunday series, we ask well-known Aucklanders for their favourite spots in the city. This week, tenor Chris McRae takes us on a tour of his top places. Favourite beach? Mission Bay, preferably with a coffee. Amazing views and an excellent spot to go dog watching (which,


NZ Herald
6 days ago
- NZ Herald
Crash on Auckland's Southern Motorway delays holiday traffic ahead of King's Birthday Weekend
Southbound traffic on the Southwestern Motorway, meanwhile, was badly congested from the junction with the Southern back to the Waterview Tunnel. Am I going to get stuck in traffic if I try to escape the city? To help keep journeys flowing, major roadworks generally pause during holiday weekends but NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi's Journey Planner has identified several choke points where traffic will likely build up at peak times this weekend. Traffic on SH1 southbound between Wellsford and Pūhoi is expected to be at its heaviest between 2pm and 4pm on Monday. Traffic heading out of Auckland is at a near-complete standstill across the motorway network this evening as holidaymakers start their break. Photo / Google From Manukau to Bombay on SH1 there were several periods where traffic was predicted to be heavy and slow-moving, the transport agency warned. Heading south, traffic was expected to be busy from 7.30am through to 8pm on Friday, before peaking between 9am and 11am on Saturday. Northbound traffic will be busy between noon and 6pm on Sunday and from 11am through to 3pm Monday as Aucklanders return home. Acting director of road policing, Inspector Peter McKennie, urged motorists to put safety first this weekend and take their time, drive to the conditions and be patient. 'So many of the crashes we've attended this year have been preventable, and that's a tragedy.' Motorists can expect extra police to be patrolling the roads across the King's Birthday weekend period, with McKennie signalling officers would be on the watch for infringements related to restraints, impairment through the likes of alcohol and drugs, distractions such as cellphones, and speed. 'Those are four areas we're targeting because we know it can save lives. A split-second decision can be the difference between life and death.' Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.


Scoop
6 days ago
- Scoop
Kiwi Screen Community And Auckland Locals Take 18,000 Steps To Honour Gaza's Lost Children
Press Release – Matter On Sunday June 8, Aucklanders will gather at Parrs Park in Glen Eden at 8am for '18,000 Steps for Gaza' —a walk/run event dedicated to honouring the 18,000 children estimated to have lost their lives in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Led by a collective of filmmakers, actors, sportspeople, and local community members, the initiative invites participants to complete 18,000 steps—each one symbolising a child's life lost. The Givealittle page has already raised $5,000 toward its $18,000 goal for ReliefAid, a New Zealand-based humanitarian organisation providing critical support on the ground in Gaza. A number of well-known New Zealanders have already pledged to participate, including actors Aidee Walker (Outrageous Fortune), Michelle Langstone (Westside), Dave Van Horn (Avatar), Dominic Ona Ariki (One Lane Bridge), Fleur Saville (Shortland Street), and Dimitrius Koloamatangi (Red, White & Brass) (remotely), as well as league legend Ruben Wiki, rapper Diggy Dupe, and filmmaker Nua Finau (Panthers). More names are expected to be confirmed in the coming days. '18,000 is a crazy number,' says organiser and filmmaker Tom Hern (The Dark Horse). 'When I sat with that, it really opened my heart. The average primary school roll in Aotearoa is around 160 students. That means 18,000 children is the equivalent of more than 100 schools of children being wiped out. Each one of those kids is someone's son or daughter, or grandchild. I can only imagine the pure heartbreak for the families—if they survived themselves. 'This fundraiser, for me, isn't really political. For many, that's where their energy goes, and I respect that. But for me, this is simply a human response. As a father—and just as a person with any conscience—I couldn't keep watching this extreme suffering and do nothing. So I reached out to my friends and asked for their help to raise crucial funds to support these innocent lives. It's a small contribution. But it's something.' Event Details What: 18,000 Steps for Gaza (estimated 13.5km) When: Sunday, June 8, 2025 — 7:30 AM Briefing, 8:00 AM Start Where: Parrs Park, Glen Eden (Meet at the Playground) Who: Open to all — run, walk, or move in your own way. No registration required. Donate: 18,000 Steps for Gaza Givealittle Participants are encouraged to bring a fitness tracker or phone to track their steps. For those without, steps will be estimated per lap. A hydration station will be available on-site.