Didn’t manage a trip to Japan this year? No problem, simply book one of just 30 dining spots at Auckland’s hottest new restaurant, Kureta. Sitting at the marble bench, surrounded by Japanese food aficionados, as chef de cuisine Akihiro Nakamura expertly slices and serves premium Japanese wagyu, dry-aged fishand other top-tier ingredients, you’ll feel as if you’ve teleported from JW Marriott Auckland straight to Tokyo.
Centred on omakase-style dining and modern teppanyaki, with flame and heat at its core, the restaurant offers not just a refined 10-course meal, but a fully immersive experience that food lovers and travellers alike will savour.kureta.co.nz
Kureta serves a 10-course omakase with premium wagyu and dry-aged seafood. Photo / JW Marriott
After a large wildfire on November 8, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is back open and ready for hikers this summer.
Those who go will experience the iconic Great Walk like no one has before; winding amongst dramatic volcanic scenes through Tongariro National Park, a World Heritage site.
Want to do it in style? Book the walk with Adrift Tongariro, and they’ll arrange accommodation, transport to and from the track, plus a clothing and footwear hire.
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing has reopened following the lifting of the seven-day rāhui placed after the Tongariro National Park fires. Photo / Department of Conservation
Scooby-Doo! Spooky Coaster returns
The Gold Coast’s Village Roadshow Theme Parks are preparing for one of its biggest summers ever with the opening of four new attractions, shows and presentations this December. Scooby-Doo! Spooky Coaster is set to reopen at Warner Bros Movie World this month after almost three years in hibernation. Also landing at Movie World is the new Spy Chase Stunt Show, which will inject a new narrative and energy into the beloved car stunt performance.
Wet’n’Wild will also celebrate the launch of its new Zoom Zone slide precinct, which brings four new body slides to the park. Just across the coast, One Dolphin Presentation will kick off at Sea World, inviting guests to witness the incredible connection between humans and dolphins and the shared promise to protect the ocean.
Summer splashes get bigger with the launch of Wet’n’Wild’s Zoom Zone. Photo / Supplied
Ring in 2026 from above
Bar Albert is hosting an exclusive New Year’s Eve celebration with one of the best views in Auckland, offering front-row seats to the Sky Tower fireworks as 2026 arrives.
From its rooftop perch on Level 38 of voco Auckland City Centre, the venue will welcome guests from 10pm on December 31 with a glass of Louis Roederer champagne, followed by premium antipasto, cheese and late-night canapes. Live DJs will keep the energy high as the city lights glow below and fireworks light up the skyline at midnight.
Priced at $290 per person, the standing-only event includes a second champagne toast at midnight and uninterrupted views across the city. For those who want to end the night in comfort, Sky Tower view rooms are also available at the hotel. Bookings are essential at baralbertauckland.com/whatson.
Bar Albert’s $290 New Year’s Eve party includes Sky Tower fireworks views. Photo / Bar Albert
