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Insider’s Guide to Christchurch’s St Asaph Block

From music venues and community events to art spaces, low-key bars, and a great coffee roastery, here are 10 reasons why Christchurch's St Asaph Street block should never be overlooked.

Meet and Greet: Barkeepers of St Asaph Block

A group of people posing for the camera behind a bar.
Christchurch & Canterbury
 On any given week, St Asaph Street comes alive with fun and creative happenings, drawing a lively buzz to the neighbourhood. This area between Fitzgerald Ave and Barbadoes Street has earned itself a reputation for its inclusive and down-to-earth bar and nightlife scene, where local musicians and artists take centre stage. From sharing how they started out to revealing their hopes for Ōtautahi Christchurch’s future, here’s what Feather from Darkroom, Megan and Richard from Space Academy, and Lois from Scoundrel had to say.

Courtenay Creatives: The Best of Art, Style and Design in Wellington’s Courtenay Precinct

Homewares on display at Kura Wellington.
Wellington

From tucked-away galleries to quirky boutiques, Wellington’s Courtenay Precinct is brimming with creativity. Whether you’re looking for original artwork, vintage oddities, or avant-garde fashion, there’s plenty to explore in this rich part of the capital city.

7 Fresh New Finds in Hastings & Havelock North

Hastings

The more, the merrier – a sentiment that couldn’t be more fitting when it comes to the wave of new independent businesses opening in Hastings and Havelock North. The last couple of years certainly haven’t been without their challenges, but that hasn’t stopped talented locals from diving into exciting new ventures, bringing fresh energy and creativity to the neighbourhood. Whether you’re after flowers or fashion, croissants or ceviche, here are seven new faces to meet next time you’re in the sunny Hawke’s Bay region.

Dine off the Beaten Path in Hastings & Havelock North

A container cafe nestled into a green grassy knoll.
Hastings

If you’re craving a destination with a delicious reward, here are eight of our favourite “off the beaten path” spots to explore with an appetite.

We celebrate the neat restaurants, cafes, shops, and galleries around New Zealand. Whether you're a local or visiting you'll find something on Neat Places to tickle your fancy.

New and Notable

Bomba

People waiting in line at Bomba Lyttelton.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Restaurants key icon.

Bomba on Lyttelton’s bustling London Street celebrates two of Italy’s greatest gifts to the culinary world… pizza and gelato.

The Figgery Cafe & Shop

Entrance to Te Mata Figs Cafe and Shop with waiter carrying coffees out to diners sitting at outdoor tables
Place Hastings
Cafes key icon. Goods key icon.

With a Mediterranean climate at your fingertips, it would be a crime not to cultivate one of the world’s most treasured fruits.

Red Bridge Coffee

The three team members behind Red Bridge Coffee sitting outside coffee trailer with their two dogs
Place Hastings
Cafes key icon.

A special kind of magic takes over when you exit the main town and enter the Hawke’s Bay countryside, with tree-lined roads winding through rolling hills and vineyards.

St Georges Restaurant

Waiter pouring glass of red wine next to a refined plate of food
Place Hastings
Restaurants key icon.

Nestled in the green landscape between Hastings and Havelock North, St Georges Restaurant offers a family-owned culinary experience, grounded in a garden-to-table philosophy.

MUSE Boutique

Interior of boutique clothing store with rows of clothing next to big arched windows
Place Hastings
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A sanctuary for those who appreciate the finer things in life, MUSE Boutique has established itself as a leading name in the world of luxury fashion.

Ya Bon Table

Two women talking together at a table with plates of pastries and baked goods
Place Hastings
Cafes key icon.

Apart from those living under a giant rock, every soul in Hawke’s Bay is familiar (and likely obsessed) with the irresistible baked goods from modern French bakery, Ya...

Decibel Wines

Rows of Decibel Wines on shelf
Place Hastings
Bars key icon.

Decibel Wines is a counter-culture winery. Uh, what does that mean? They create wines that are fine but always fun, adventurous but always approachable.

Off The Track

Contemporary and plant-filled interior of Off The Track restaurant with the light wooden dining tables and a chef cooking through the open kitchen window
Place Hastings
Restaurants key icon.

Party of two or twenty, there’s a seat for everyone at Off The Track.

Stories

9 International Food Destinations in Hastings & Havelock North

A woman holding chopsticks.
Here are nine of our favourite local eateries that will take you on a delicious trip around the world. No passport required – but remember to pack your appetite.

A Guide to Asian Cuisine in Wellington’s Courtenay Precinct

The inside of a Japanese restaurant.
Wellington

The Courtenay Precinct is Wellington’s premier place to play, packed with hundreds of businesses, theatres and hidden treasures – and it’s also home to some of the city’s best Asian cuisine. From bustling hotspots to hidden gems, here’s our guide to the rich selection of Asian cuisine in the Courtenay Precinct.

Dinner and a Show: Where to Eat, Drink, and Be Entertained in Wellington’s Courtenay Precinct

People dining outside by a building covered in vines.
Wellington

Courtenay Precinct is where Wellington’s nightlife and culture collide. Packed with theatres, cinemas, bars and restaurants, you’ll find top-notch spots to eat, drink, and be entertained – all within a few blocks. Here’s our guide to the perfect pairings for an evening well spent.

48 Hours Central Otago

Cromwell Heritage Precinct on a sunny day.
Central Otago

From drinking in one of the most renowned wine regions in the country and embarking on multi-day biking adventures to exploring gold mining towns and pulling over every 2 minutes to fill your camera with breathtaking landscapes, you could quite easily spend at least a week discovering each glorious pocket. However, we know life doesn’t always give us the time off.  The good news is, you can still fit a lot of incredible experiences into a weekend trip to Central Otago. Spanning from Cromwell (an hour’s drive from Queenstown) and Clyde all the way to remote locations like St Bathans and Naseby, we’ve put together a 48-hour itinerary full of one-of-a-kind adventures unique to the region. Expect great coffee, fascinating history lessons, world-class food, scenic streetscapes, stores full of locally made treasures and – of course – a few pinots along the way.

The Great Country Pub Crawl of Central Otago

A woman sitting at a table outside Vulcan Hotel in Central Otago.
Central Otago

Whether you’re looking for a series of great pubs that intersect with your cycling route or need to break up the road trip with a cold brew and a charming room for the night, here are seven country pubs to add to your list.

12 Hour City Itineraries