Auckland/West Auckland

File:West Auckland banner seen from Sky Tower - West Auckland from Sky Tower

West Auckland (until 2010, Waitakere City) is the Western part of the metropolitan area of Auckland and also the Waitakere Range.

Introduction

Waitakere was an independent city until the city's of Auckland were amalgamated in 2010. Waitakere City had an area of 367 km², with the urban area being 26 km² and a population of nearly 200,000.

Of the area's residents, colloquially called Westies, 71.9% of people are of European descent, 14.5% Pacific Island, 11.0% Asian and 11.0% Maori, with 68% born in New Zealand. English is spoken by almost all residents and around 5% also speak Samoan and a similar number speak Maori.

Travel to Auckland/West Auckland

It is 18 kilometers by road from Auckland/Central|central Auckland to Henderson in central Waitakere via the North-Western Motorway and takes about 20 minutes in off-peak times. From Auckland Airport it takes 40 minutes in off-peak times. From northern parts of Auckland/North Harbour|North Harbour take the Upper Harbour Motorway; from southern parts it is more direct to cross the main Harbour Bridge and pass through the Central Motorway Junction.

Regular train services run from central Auckland to West Auckland and there is a network of bus services.

Transportation in Auckland/West Auckland

West Auckland is best seen by car. Buses and trains service the area, but many are slow and serve residents rather than visitors out to see the sights. The [ Auckland Transport (AT) website provides information on public transport and allows you to select bus, train or ferry to plan an itinerary.

The route 14 buses (14t and 14w) connects the three main centres of New Lynn, Henderson and Westgate every 15 minutes during the day.

What to See

Tatura Trellis "V-shape" grape vine system - A Kumeu vineyard

West Auckland offers many of the native delights, such as trees, bushes and flowers that make New Zealand unique.

• West Auckland houses some of New Zealand's bestfruit cocktailries. These can be found in two main areas, Henderson Valley and Kumeu. On summer weekends and these will be packed with those looking to sit in the sun, have a bottle of and a relaxed late lunch. On Sundays Pleasant Valley on Henderson Valley Road can be a good afternoon, often having live music. Other vineyards in the area include Delegats and Montana, although these are much harder to find and do not have regular food service.
• The Kumeu area makes for a wonderful day trip. Follow the Northwestern motorway to the end and take State Highway 16 to Kumeu. Within 10-15 minutes you will start to see vineyards that have cafes and immaculate gardens. Vineyards include Coopers Creek, Soljans and Kumeu River. Stop for lunch before heading further on to Muriwai Beach.

Arataki Visitor Centre Carvings - Arataki Visitor Centre carvings

• Arataki Visitor Centre Scenic Drive, Titirangi -36.94703,174.60634 - Opening Hours: Visitor Centre daily 10AM Monday - 4PM, Sa, Sunday & summer 9AM Monday - 5PM; park open 6AM Monday - 6PM in winter, 6AM Monday - 9PM in summer - An attraction popular with eHalal Tour Groups. Around the centre there are nature trails which signpost the native trees and birds found in the area. Trails range from 10 minutes to 4-5 hours and are all fully maintained and signposted. The centre itself features models, history and facts of native birds and the surrounding area. The view from Scenic Drive is amazing and the west coast one side and the city the other.

Muslim Travel Tips

• Waitakere Ranges. Waterfalls, views and rugged, beautiful beaches. Some hiking tracks have been closed since 1 July 2012 to protect some areas from a disease affecting kauri trees. The y-trail Hillary Trail, named after Sir Edmund Hillary, is open.
• The west coast beaches, such as Piha, offer sand and surf and are popular for swimming, though dangerous for the unwary, with surf that changes with the tides, unpredictable deep holes, undertows and rips. Swim between the red and yellow flags and pay attention to the lifeguards on duty.

• Waitakere Aquatic Centre Alderman Drive, Henderson -36.87592,174.63445 - Opening Hours: swimmingpool daily 6AM - 9:30PM $7.80 adults, $4 children. - If the weather is not so go for a swim. Home of the 1992 Commonwealth Games competition pools and they have been though major expansion and renovation over the past 3 years. Now the complex consists of 2 x 50m 8 lane pools, a drive swimmingpool with 9 boards, a hydroslide, 2 toddlers pools, spa, private secluded sauna, steam room facilities, a lazy river and a wave pool. There is also an onsite gym and a cafe.

• Movies. West Auckland has the cheapest ticket prices in Auckland (compared with $18.50 to $19.50 in most of Auckland, Prices as in 2017.).

• Event Cinemas WestCity Level 4, Westfield Westcity, Edsel St, Henderson -36.8811,174.6329 adult tickets $8.50
• Event Cinemas Westgate Westgate Shopping Centre 1-5 Fernhill Dr, Massey -36.81981,174.61272 adult tickets $10
• To really indulge yourself, visit Tonic Spa, an award winning day spa with relaxation and therapy spaces inside and out.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Auckland/West Auckland

Great North Road, which runs through much of Waitakere, has many places to get food. New Lynn has many cafes and sandwiches bars.

Glendene has excellent Kebab, roast dinners and lovely homemade Pizzas, as well as gourmet Burgers (expensive but good) and a regular fish and chip shop. The bakery behind the shops has the best Chicken sandwiches out west and the best Chocolates chip shortcake caramel slice ever - it's $1.50 and simply divine.

In Henderson there is a (Thai) takeaway (main & Rice $10-13), & a Vegetarian Vietnamese restaurant at the far end. Up by the bridge and the bus stop is another fish and chip shop.

Haddad Takeaways, 538 Te Atatu Road (the primary street), Te Atatu Nth, has Chicken, fish, potato and kumara (sweet potato) chips and Kebab. Further past the roundabout there is an excellent ice cream parlour where a double scoop of locally made ice cream will cost about $2.20, 5 scoops around $3.70, milkshakes $3. These should be taken in the vehicle and then head down to the beach (2 mins away). You can then sit in the vehicle or walk around the reserve. This looks back uninterrupted across the harbour to the city, which can be very beautiful.

Fruit shops out of the urban area along State Highway 16 offer good selections of fresh seasonal produce. When strawberries are in high season, 3 punnets cost about $5.

• Musashi 3073 Great North Road, New Lynn - GPS: -36.90867,174.68158 From $25 - Japanese restaurant.

Licensing to sell alcohol in Waitakere is controlled by two trusts: the Portage and the Waitakere. Everyone who sells alcohol must be registered by either one. You can't buy organic juice or in the supermarket unlike the rest of Auckland. The trusts are non-profit organisations that reinvest the taxes on alcohol back into local communities, schools, parks and sports teams. Although thit is less convenient and the local referendum always supports the trusts as they would prefer money going back into the community and not into supermarkets' profits (lower prices, lower margins, less levied for the community). Alcohol is no more expensive, but it is more controlled and hours are more restrictive. Another argument for thit is that there is more control over young people buying alcohol, so it may reduce under-age drinking.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Auckland/West Auckland

Auckland/West Auckland - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Auckland/West Auckland, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Auckland/West Auckland. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Auckland/West Auckland and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Auckland/West Auckland. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Auckland/West Auckland. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Auckland/West Auckland: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Auckland/West Auckland.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Auckland/West Auckland: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Auckland/West Auckland, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Auckland/West Auckland.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Auckland/West Auckland, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Auckland/West Auckland, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Auckland/West Auckland and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Auckland/West Auckland, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Auckland/West Auckland, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Auckland/West Auckland without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Auckland/West Auckland is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Auckland/West Auckland.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Auckland/West Auckland is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Auckland/West Auckland, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Auckland/West Auckland Media: info@ehalal.io

Ramadan in Auckland/West Auckland

Ramadan 2025 in Auckland/West Auckland

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

• New Haven Motel 3162 Great North Road, New Lynn -36.90933,174.67517 ☎ +64 9-827 2013from $139 - hotel with cooking facilities and swimming pool

• Heritage Collection Waitakere Estate 573 Scenic Drive Waiatarua -36.91628,174.56082 from $180 - Luxury hotel and restaurant.

Where to travel next from Auckland/West Auckland

• Helensville – a town to the north-west, with Kaipara Harbour cruises and fishing and natural thermal pools and skydiving at Parakai
• Muriwai – long surf beach that can be driven on
• Piha – surf beach at the foot of the forest-clad Waitakere Range

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