AWOL’s Guide To The Real Auckland

Henry Oliver is a freelance writer based in Auckland. He…
Worth The Hype
West coast beaches. Piha, Bethells (‘Te Henga’), Muriwai, Whatipu, Karekare. These black sand beaches are rugged and wild. There are walks that are the dictionary definition of sublime. There are hills and bush and waterfalls. And, of course, some beautiful, angry water. Proceed with caution. If you’re here in summer, they’ll be well populated with surfers, swimmers and necessary lifeguards. If you’re here in winter, there may be no-one around for miles, so think twice before dipping a toe in.
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Henry Oliver is a freelance writer based in Auckland. He is currently deputy editor at Idealog magazine and is the popular music critic for North & South. In former lives, he has been a musician, a bar proprietor, and an intellectual property lawyer.