Telephone numbers
Police, Ambulance, Fire, Search and Rescue ... 111
National Directory Assistance ... 018
International Directory Assistance ... 0172
Waitakere City Council ... (09) 839 0400
Auckland Visitor Information ... 0800 282 552
Bus, Ferry, Train Information ... (09) 366 6400
Auckland Airport ... 0800 247 767
Air New Zealand ... 0800 737 000
New Zealand Customs ... (09) 275 9059
New Zealand Immigration ... (09) 256 8545

Hospital and emergency clinicS
Waitakere Hospital, Lincoln Road, Henderson.
Telephone: 0800 809 342
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Henderson Accident and Medical Clinic – 24hrs
131 Lincoln Road, Henderson.
Telephone: 836 3336
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New Lynn Accident and Medical Clinic
2140 Great North Road, New Lynn.
Telephone: 828 8912

Climate and Seasons
Waitakere experiences a temperate, sub-tropical climate.

Timezone
GMT +12 hours.

Electricity
230/240 volts, 50 hertz. Wall sockets accept flat, two-prong or three-prong plugs.

Currency and Banks
The currency is the New Zealand Dollar. There are 100 cents to the dollar. All major credit cards are accepted. Bank trading hours are Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 4.30pm.

Postal Services
Post Shops are open Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm, and Saturday from 9.00am to 12 noon.

Goods and Services Tax (GST)
New Zealand has a 12.5% goods and services tax (GST). This is normally included in the price of goods and services unless otherwise stated.

Public Telephones
Most public telephones use pre-paid telephone cards. These can be purchased from visitor information centres, convenience stores, service stations and post shops. You will also find phone booths that accept major credit cards and coins.

Tips for outdoors

  • If you decide to go and enjoy our bush first hand, please let someone know where you intend to go and a return time. It is safest to go on one of our many marked tramping routes. Wandering off the beaten track could result in getting lost! Do not drink water from lakes, streams or rivers without boiling first. Be well equipped, you do not want to get caught out with inadequate supplies.
  • Please leave our bush and beach as you found it - place your rubbish in bins provided or take your rubbish with you.
  • Making fires is prohibited.

Beach Safety

  • Swim only at lifeguard patrolled beaches and always swim between the red and yellow flags.
  • Listen to advice from lifeguards and take heed of safety signs. If you get into trouble, raise your arm for assistance, float and wait for help.
  • Never swim alone, do not leave children unattended, never run and dive into water - check water depth first.
  • Avoid alcohol. This affects your judgment and the ability to hold your breath.
  • Do not depend on flotation devices, such as boogie boards, as you can lose them in large waves.
  • Be aware of rips. Regularly check your position against a landmark, such as lifeguard flags, to help maintain a fixed position and alert you to dangerous currents.
  • Do not wear street clothes in the water.
  • Stay out if you are not sure about the surf conditions or your own ability.

GENERAL

It is not surprising that the Waitakere Ranges and the West Coast beaches have long been a magnet for artists of all persuasions; from literary giants such as Allen Curnow and CK Stead to painters such as Don Binney and Dean Buchanan, to name but two of many.
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The old image was the bush-clad hills of Titirangi as the haven of the bohemian artist and legendary weekend parties; or of Colin McCahon discovering the Kauri in the rain-drenched bush of French Bay.
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Today’s artists find tranquility and inspiration in that same exquisite environment but they are, by and large, a different breed. They are professionals, producing state of the art work for a national and international audience. They are people such as Ann Robinson, John Edgar, Fatu Feu’u, John Madden, John Parker, Neil Miller and Andrew de Boer.
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At the foot of the ranges, in Titirangi, sits the iconic Lopdell House, home to the city’s regional gallery. This four story, Spanish mission building dominates the village skyline and shows the work of the cutting edge artists of the country.
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Across the city on the historic Corban Estate a new arts precinct is growing. The old winery homestead has a complex of galleries which focus on local and heritage exhibitions. There are artists’ studios, a top quality arts and crafts retail outlet and a flourishing Pacific Islands arts centre.
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Both these arts precincts are points of contact foci for the visitor wanting more information on the creative talent of the region.
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New to the city are a scattering of smaller dealer arts outlets. Of note are the Signal Gallery in Swanson and the West Coast Gallery at Piha; all evidence of a thriving arts economy in this beautiful rainforest area. Mix all this with wine, food and wilderness and Waitakere can be seen as a mecca for true hedonists.
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There is a great variety of accommodation, activities, cafes, restaurants and entertainment featured in this brochure. Days can be filled with plenty of interesting places to entertain the family such as farmyard visits, art galleries, wineries to sample, canyoning for the more adventurous, cafes for the more relaxed. We invite you to stay with us and enjoy everything Waitakere has to offer.

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