Volkswagen’s Little Legends: Mike, Glou Glou

These guys out in Kilbirnie are a true OG and genuinely here for their community. One of my favourite pastimes with my family is visiting local supermarkets and grocers, and there’s always something interesting to browse and try here. Steven will look after you and happily chat through anything you’re interested in. Grab a Reuben while you’re there too. Best in the city!

This track is unbeatable. It’s flat, beautifully scenic and connects the Hutt to the city, with a great vantage point from the overbridge. The best part is that in either direction, you can just KEEP walking or running or cycling. It’s genuinely an unreal way to experience Wellington’s coastline.

I was a sceptic before I tried it, but WOW. I’m a complete convert now. I’m here religiously, two or three times a week. It gives me a chance to reset, meditate and start my day right. It’s social too - I’ve made some really meaningful friendships there.

If you didn’t know, now you know. They’ve moved into a newly refurbished shop and the space is incredible. There’s always beautiful pieces to browse, but my favourite part is watching the jewellers working their craft behind the windows. Ian (the founder) is an incredible inventor too. Ask to see the ‘floeting’ diamond setting they invented!

Peak Wellington hospitality. Pizza pies done incredibly well! I love popping in and being greeted by Alicia and Tommy, making everything fresh. They’re local legends and have brought our neighbourhood so many favourites over the years. Hot tip, book their yard space out the back for a private group get-together and get served pies straight out of the oven.

I only popped in here for the first time recently and couldn’t believe I hadn’t been sooner. The scale of their organic and sustainable produce makes you feel proud just walking around in there. I learned so much more about where our food comes from. It’s a great way to try different dried fruits, treats, seeds and nuts straight from the source rather than buying everything in packets.

And a bonus two-for-one: Prefab café is right across the road. Get their ACME oli roll. That bread roll is unlike any other. I buy it and make sardine sandwiches! They’re the epitome of top-notch Wellington hospo service.

You just can’t beat Moore Wilson’s. It’s my local grocery store, right behind our office, and they stock the best produce from all the best suppliers. If you’re short on time and can’t get around all the local cafés, you can basically come here and try them all in one place. Grab an orange juice and some Italian truffle cheese, or try the beef and jalapeño sausages from Cameron Harrison and Toulouse sausages from Eastbourne Butcher.

I don’t know another place where you can go for a walk and see tuatara right there in front of you, along with kākā and countless other native wildlife roaming freely. It’s nothing like going to a zoo. You’re seeing animals living in the environment they’re supposed to be in, that’s been dutifully protected for them, which makes it feel completely different. A beautiful kaupapa to get behind.

And of course, obviously, I have to say Glou Glou. If you’re coming in for lunch, ask Ben what his favourite is and he’ll hook you up with his off-menu order. That’s my biggest tip.

I’m also really excited by what’s happening around our area of Courtenay Place. Te Aro Hā Courtenay has a vision for the precinct that I think could be genuinely transformative. It’s projects like that which give the rest of the city a sense of excitement and positivity about what comes next!