LETTERS: The stepdad's guide to Auckland

After reading the article "The stepdad's guide to Auckland",  I would like to add these attractions/venues:
Butterfly Creek - Tom Pearce Drive, Auckland Airport farm, (where you can hold the rabbits and guinea pigs) café, train ride, butterfly house. They cater for groups and kids parties. Good in wet weather as most of the attractions are inside. Plenty of parking, and is on a bus route - the orange airport bus that runs from Manukau to the airport.
Right next door is the Mini Golf. I think it's called Treasure Island?
All the pools in Manukau City are free - particularly good complexes are the ones in Manurewa and Mangere which have excellent facilities for under fives(or kids that are  not yet swimming). All complexes have lessons for all ages at reasonable prices.
The Wave pools in Mt Albert and Papakura are also worth a visit. Lots of fun inside. Papakura one is right opposite the train station.
And what about MOTAT? And Ten Pin Bowling?
Wendy Roberson
I love your guide to Auckland. Another suggestion: Tahuna Torea Nature reserve - on the point at Glendowie. Beach walk, boardwalks, native bush trails, lots of birds and if you go at low tide you can walk out the spit almost to Bucklands Beach and see the car ferry to Waiheke go by very close.Leave the car by Roberta Reserve - very handy for the toilet, playground and icecream shop or cafe for when you get back.
Annette Orchard
Here's an idea. Crystal Mountain, fun for the whole family. Feed the animals for $3 per person, walk around the park or ride the new roller coaster for $5, have lunch at the café or visit the crystal mine museum. Check it out.
Father of 5
I enjoyed reading your "Stepdad's guide to Auckland'' last week and would like to suggest another idea for places to visit.
Watercare operates the ''Rain Forest Express'' - a narrow gauge tramway through the Waitakere Ranges. It takes passengers through 10 tunnels to Upper Nihotupu Dam and brings them face to face with glow-worms and cave wetas.
Fares for regular trips are $25 for adults and $12 for children - with special rates for families and senior citizens.
Rachel Hughes,
Senior communications advisor
Watercare
We loved the stepdad's guide to Auckland. Being grandparents and having our two-year-grandson once a week, we have managed to see and do quite a lot of the "guide". Being only two, some of them are yet a little adventurous so will put on file. There is one that we thought was worth a mention:
Catch the train "West" to Swanson. There are two great parks within a few minutes walk. One is right next to the Swanson Railway Station. This park is a little more adventurous and has a flying fox.
One on the opposite side of the road is more suitable for toddlers and younger children.
The ride up and back on the train is exciting in itself.
Swanson Station also has a great cafe attached. If you don't wish to eat at the cafe, pack a picnic and eat in the park.
Another great trip is is the Waitakere Tramway. Google this and check it out.
Grandparents and guides
A good day of cheap entertainment for the whole family is Woodhill Forest mountain biking. Only $4 per person, yes only four bucks for the day, but you need to have your own bike. The kids love it!
Your family may be a bit young yet, but keep it in mind. If you need to hire the bikes, it's at a cost of $25 each which includes the entry fee.
We usually take our own picnic lunch and a good book and happily wait for the kids to keep coming back to refuel before we decide that we've had enough and drag them home.
So ... if you don't have any bikes at home, beg, borrow or steal them for a great day out. Mum and Dad can do it too.
Maureen
The first thing you do in Auckland is get up early and pack sandwiches and drinks for the tribe. School holidays, children need stimulation and to see something different from their usual routine. At that time of year a lot of places have special discounts, e.g. Motat , the Zoo, etc, with special exhibitions for the children.
Quite a few years ago I was in the position of having to find things to do for my children (and the neighbours children) that were fun and cost effective.
This is what we did. We went up to One Tree Hill and told them the history. Went to Mt Eden (in those days they could go down the crater and up again but now is banned). Walked around Western Springs Park had a picnic lunch fed themselves and then the ducks. With an option to ride the train.
The other place they loved to go was Cornwall Park - drive right through to the observatory - not far from there, was a great park with rides for the little ones  and a flying fox for the older ones (don't know whether it is still there - but it must be).
Approximately 30 minutes from Central Auckland is Omana Beach (Maraetai), with great spaces for a picnic, tree cover, safe beach, that also has a great walk around the coastline that is both safe and secure. Room to play cricket or any game the children choose.
Don't forget about the great pool complex in Papakura. Excellent facility - heated, slides, supervised - a great day out (all day) at a reasonable cost to a large family. If you don't want to drive get on the train as it is 2 minutes walk from the train station.
Papakura isn't so far away and it is central to so many good facilities.
Brenda