NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather forecasts

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
    • The Great NZ Road Trip
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
    • Cooking the Books
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • What the Actual
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Entertainment

My Secret Auckland: Photographer Rachel Mataira shares her favourite spots in the city

NZ Herald
10 May, 2025 05:00 PM4 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Award-winning photographer and Waiheke Island gallery owner Rachel Mataira shares her favourite Auckland spots. Photo / Supplied

Award-winning photographer and Waiheke Island gallery owner Rachel Mataira shares her favourite Auckland spots. Photo / Supplied

In this Herald on Sunday series, we ask well-known Aucklanders for their favourite spots in the city. This week, award-winning photographer and Waiheke Island gallery owner Rachel Mataira takes us on a tour of her top places.

Favourite beach?

I’m fortunate to call Waiheke Island home. With beautiful beaches never far, I try to swim year-round, either at Palm Beach or Onetangi, but one of my absolute favourite spots is Cactus Bay. It’s more off the beaten path, tucked away from the main tourist areas. The beach feels incredibly private and untouched with crystal-clear waters and native, rugged surroundings. I love escaping the crowds in summer, enjoying a quiet swim and sunbathing while reading a good book.

Favourite brunch spot?

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

I’m a creature of habit and I’ve always loved Ozone in Grey Lynn for its consistently great coffee and food. When I’m on Waiheke, I gravitate to The Island Grocer because I love sitting outside in the sun, catching up with friends, reading, or watching the world go by.

Favourite restaurant for dinner with friends?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Fenice Restaurant (@fenicerestaurantwaiheke)

I spend most of my time on Waiheke which delights my friends who don’t need to be asked twice to jump on a ferry and visit the island for a catch up. I’ve been enjoying dinner at Fenice in Oneroa. It’s such a cozy, comfortable place and as the cold weather sets in enjoying the delicious pizza by the fire in a warm and inviting atmosphere is delightful.

Favourite place to take a visitor to?

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

I often take visitors for a walk along one of Waiheke’s beautiful coastal tracks, many of which are part of the Te Ara Hura trail network that stretches around the island. The Sculpture Walk at Connells Bay is a favourite of mine, and the Church Bay circuit offers stunning views back toward Auckland and out across the Hauraki Gulf. Sometimes, I take them on the headland track from Little Oneroa to Palm Beach, or around the quieter loop of Whakanewha Regional Park. To reward our walking efforts, I then love taking visitors up to the rooftop at Mudbrick to watch the sunset – simply stunning!

Favourite place to get coffee?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by HR SIXTEEN (@hrsixteen)

HR16 is conveniently located right next door to my gallery, and it’s become an essential part of my day. They serve exceptional coffee. Their pastries are second to none, always fresh and beautifully made. It’s the kind of spot that effortlessly combines quality with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that’s always busy during the summer months.

Favourite fish-and-chip shop?

The 3 Fishes in Ostend is my go-to for fish and chips, it’s always fresh and reliably good. I love eating dinner at the beach, so I usually take them down to Palm Beach or Anzac Bay when the tides in.

Favourite trail for a hike?

I love the Te Whau Drive walking track in Rocky Bay. It’s a beautiful loop through native bush, offering amazing views and a mix of forest and coastal scenery. During the walk, I always stop at the Omiha coffee shop. It has such a local, timeless feel to it that I enjoy, it’s like stepping back in time.

Favourite venue for a gig?

My favourite venue is the Mataira Gallery, while not a gig space, it’s my small gallery and an absolute labour of love. I’ve just launched (May 8) an exhibition called In Focus – The Unseen Journey of Compassion, Commitment, and Care, in partnership with the Waiheke Health Trust. It features powerful imagery taken by me and stories from island healthcare workers and their patients, and it’s been a rewarding 300-hour collaboration with the Trust and NSPR Communications to bring it to life. It’s the perfect space to share these meaningful stories.

Favourite place to find a bargain?

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Just Plane Interesting (@just_planeinteresting)

I love browsing second-hand and vintage stores for interesting homeware pieces with character. Just Plane Interesting Antiques and Collectables, in Oratia, was a recent favourite, full of quirky treasures and easy to get lost in. I also read a lot and always stop by The Open Book in Ponsonby. It’s a beautifully curated second-hand bookshop.

Save

    Share this article

Latest from Entertainment

Premium
Lifestyle

Jeremy Renner experienced something extraordinary when he was near death. Why?

14 May 12:00 AM
World

Sean Combs sex trafficking trial: Cassie Ventura testifies about abuse at 'freak offs'

13 May 11:56 PM
Entertainment

Halle Berry first victim of new Cannes dress code

13 May 09:01 PM

Sponsored: How much is too much?

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Entertainment

Premium
Jeremy Renner experienced something extraordinary when he was near death. Why?

Jeremy Renner experienced something extraordinary when he was near death. Why?

14 May 12:00 AM

New York Times: Scientists have spent decades trying to explain near-death experiences.

Sean Combs sex trafficking trial: Cassie Ventura testifies about abuse at 'freak offs'

Sean Combs sex trafficking trial: Cassie Ventura testifies about abuse at 'freak offs'

13 May 11:56 PM
Halle Berry first victim of new Cannes dress code

Halle Berry first victim of new Cannes dress code

13 May 09:01 PM
Premium
Born to be bad: George Thorogood on black influence, white critics and singing the blues

Born to be bad: George Thorogood on black influence, white critics and singing the blues

13 May 07:33 PM
Sponsored: Cosy up to colour all year
sponsored

Sponsored: Cosy up to colour all year

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • What the Actual
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven CarGuide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP