The unofficial pictorial biography of New Zealand
So glad you’re here, because we’re going on a tour of New Zealand. Not quite the amazing scenery, but rather a trip on fire trucks, in yoga classes, cafes, bakeries, construction sites, restaurants. And yes, sheep.
Some part of this biography will be through a series of photo “albums”. Others will be with lavish cartoon diaries (check out the nav bar on the right).
To open the album, just click on an image, and boof—you’re in a whole new world. Try it! If you’d like to see the photos via a “category”, then click on www.theotherseandsouza.com/library.
Sean
P.S. The cartoon diaries and especially the photo albums get updated on a fairly regular basis.Sometimes once or twice a week. If you want to peek into New Zealand often, yes, there is a way to get updates.
Right now there are close to about 150 different businesses. You’re unlikely to want to see them all, hence, it may be a good idea to have a look at the categories (see link above) and go from there.
Take your time and click through some of the albums. At the bottom of each album, you’ll find a link to subscribe and a zany newsletter will show up on a monthly basis.
Kingi, Britomart
A sustainable seafood restaurant in downtown Auckland
Weber Bros Circus: The Show
The Weber Bros Circus: A breathtaking show
Weber Bros Circus: Setting Up
Setting up: Weber Circus
Bordeaux: Part 2
Bordeaux, a cool place
Paris, Part 2
Paris, cool as ever!
Cupple, Hastings
A cute little cafe, with exceptional coffee in Hastings
OMGoodness, Hastings, Hawke’s Bay
No more heavy, spongy gluten-free bread. OmGoodness in Hastings.
Moana Oyster Farm, Coromandel, Part 1
Moana oyster farms in Coromandel. Where the show goes on in rain, shine or cold.
Misa Christmas Tree Farm, Mt.Eden, Auckland
The Misa Christmas Tree Farm: Auckland’s Oldest and Largest
Daily Bread, Pt. Chevalier, Auckland, Part 1
Making sourdough with a 600-year-old starter!
Fort Greene, Karangahape Road, Auckland
Andrea and Liam make everything from scratch at Fort Greene—and turn it into a delicious sandwich.
Black Robin Knives, Weymouth, Auckland
Phillip Luxton: Obsessed with handcrafting exquisite knives.
Miss Petfolio, North Shore, Auckland
A 12-year old pet photographer
Paris Butter, Ponsonby, Auckland
A chic fine-dining experience on Jervois Road
The Bread Collective, Auckland
Helping refugees learn baking skills as they settle in New Zealand
Diehl’s Bakery, Hillside Road, Glenfied, Auckland
An authentic German Bakery that turns out incredible bread
Moana Fisheries, Wiri, Auckland
Moana Fisheries at Wiri: Processing Oysters
Clevedon Farmers Market, Clevedon
A Sunday market, full of fresh produce and well-organised stalls
Dick Frizzell, Grafton, Auckland
Dick Frizzell: One of New Zealand’s most loved, sought after and recognised artists.
The Manakai-Deck Fitout
The Manakai gets a new lower deck in Whangarei.
Origine, Commercial Bay, Auckland
Modern French Cuisine in a spectacular setting
Ahi, Commercial Bay, Auckland
Cool sophistication on Level 2, Commercial Bay
Island Gelato Company, Ponsonby, Auckland
Fresh, seasonal handmade Gelato
The Film Lab, Karangahape Road, Auckland
A tiny, efficient film lab on K Road
Sid at the French Cafe, Symonds Road, Auckland
Award winning restaurant with contemporary NZ fare in a chic & tranquil atmosphere.
Brite Blooms, Kumeū, Auckland
Commercial cut flower growers located in Kumeū.
Kowhai Forge, Wharepapa South: Part 2
Kowhai Forge, School of Blacksmithing.
Matakana Village Farmers Market: Part 2
Matakana Village Farmers Market, at the end of Winter 2022
Cassia Restaurant, Fort Lane, Auckland
Cassia Restaurant: modern Indian cuisine
Al Volo Pizzeria | Cucina, Mt. Eden, Auckland
An authentic Italian Eatery Al Volo Bar Pizzeria and Cucina in Mt. Eden.
World Chocolate Day – Part 2
The World Chocolate Day celebrations at Waitoki Hall.
Bon Appétit Crêperie, Warkworth, Auckland.
A tiny little food truck crêperie run by a Brazilian couple.
Boar & Blade, Ponsonby, Auckland
A long weekend, and a quiet Sunday at Boar & Blade.
Russell, Northland, Part 2
Russell, a quiet, picturesque spot today—but not always.
Hell Hole, York Street, Russell
A cool roaster—and cafe—right in the heart of Russell
Matakana Village Farmers Market
The Matakana Farmers Market-The Focal Point for Matakana since 2004.
Rose and Ivory, Takapuna, Auckland
Rose and Ivory, Florist and Bridal Gowns.
Holy Shot, Takapuna, Auckland
Holy Shot 2.0. Moving from the tiny place to a proper cafe.
Well Hung Butcher, Milford, Auckland
Well Hung —a gourmet butcher on Kitchener Road, Milford.
Waimamaku Service Station, Hokianga
The Waimamaku Service Station started life as a service car garage in late 1927.
Olive Picking, Brick Bay, Snells Beach
The olive harvest at Brick Bay, Snells Beach, New Zealand.
Brick Bay, Snells Beach: Petit Verdot Harvest
A day in the life of picking grapes at Brick Bay, a boutique vineyard near Snells beach.
Around the farm, Wilderness Lodge, Arthur’s Pass
The Wilderness Lodge at Arthur’s Pass: In and around the farm.
Walks with Paddy: Wilderness Lodge, Arthur’s Pass
Paddy’s always keen for a walk. On his days off, he’s likely to be tagging kea or doing a 10 hour trek.
Around the Tom Parker Fountain, Napier
The Tom Parker Fountain in Napier: A playground for croquet, and splashing around.
Dining with the Cars, Art Deco, Napier
A unique collection of radios, petrol pumps and gas-guzzling memorabilia at Neville’s Shed.
Jazz and Bubbles, Hawke’s Bay Club, Napier
The Hawke’s Bay Club, once exclusively for men. Times change.
Alice in Wonderland, Art Deco, Napier
Alice chases the White Rabbit through Wonderland at the Art Deco Festival in Napier
Waipu Beach
Waipu is still very much a gem, and undiscovered. Wai (for water) + pu (for reddish in colour) = reddish water.
Maina, Havelock North
Located in the heart of Havelock North, Maina is a family-run cafe & bistro with a focus on simplicity and smiles.
John Roberts, Milford, Auckland
John Roberts was the original name of the owner, and was located near where the Milford supermarket exists today. It’s a busy business, that’s for sure.
Gemmayze Street, K Road, Auckland
Gemmayze Street in historic St. Kevin’s Arcade on Karangahape Road, Auckland. A gastronomic delight.
Four Winds Yoga, Ponsonby, Auckland
Built in 1897, Ponsonby Community Centre was initially a school. It was purchased by Auckland City Council in 1958 for use as a hall
Pitt Street Fire Station, Auckland
The Pitt Street Fire Station is one of the original stations still in service in Auckland. It even has its own emergency pole, still in use.
Takapuna Boating Club Shed, Auckland
The Takapuna Boating Club was originally the Bayswater Boating Club. Now it is located at Takapuna Beach.
Toni’s Pizzeria, Belmont, Auckland.
Toni’s Pizzeria in Belmont, North Shore. You’d be forgiven for thinking you’re lost somewhere in Italy.
Bordeaux: Part 1
Bordeaux, a mini-Paris. A fascinating, vibrant place in France
Paris: Snow Day
It rarely snows in Paris. Yet there’s the odd day in November.
Daily Bread, Belmont, Auckland-Part 2
Winners of “Best Hot Cross Buns” for the three years in a row.
The Real Bread Project, Helensville- Hot Cross Buns
Selling out the hot cross buns by 8 am! That's the goal—to make a few hundred of hot cross buns and go home. However, the regular bread takes a...
Coatesville Market, Coatesville
A relatively new market in Coatesville that started in March 2007.
Málaga, Spain: Part 2
Malaga’s roots trace back to ancient times, with a history that spans Phoenician, Roman, and Moorish influences.
Cassia, Sky City, Auckland
The all-new version of Cassia, now at Sky City
Redgraves Home Fabrics, Constellation Drive, Auckland
Custom Curtains and Blinds since 1958.
Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Ardmore, Auckland
Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Ardmore, Auckland
Takapuna Sunday Farmers Market: Part 2
Takapuna Sunday Farmers Market: Since 1969
Yeram Ceramics, Takapuna, Auckland
A tiny ceramic store—and studio—in Takapuna
Inkiana Press, Birkenhead, Auckland
Award-winning letterpress studio
Basecamp Yoga, Westmoreland, Auckland
A safe, comfortable yoga space in Westmoreland.
Lee Fish, Leigh, Auckland
At Lee Fish: The day of the tuna and swordfish
Ima Cuisine, Hot Cross Buns, Fort Street, Auckland
An annual, much awaited event at Ima Cuisine: Hot Cross Buns all the way to Easter.
La Tropezienne Cafe, Browns Bay, Auckland
Un café avec un assortiment de délicieuses pâtisseries françaises
Murray, Piha, Auckland
Murray, a Mexican food truck and restaurant at Piha Beach
PCL Imaging, Eden Terrace, Auckland
New Zealand’s oldest photographic lab.
Ahi, Commercial Bay, Auckland
Ahi—”Fire” in Commercial Bay
Liberty Brewing Co, Helensville, Auckland-Part 2
The land of beers that bulge with aroma and flavour.
Benny’s Bike Shop, Auckland
Bespoke Professional Bicycle Repairs in Eden Terrace
Aboard the Manakai, Russell
A 73-foot fishing boat that resembles a super-yacht
Dan’s Traditional Barber’s Shop, Karangahape Road, Auckland
A renegade, super-cool looking traditional place for a haircut.
Kowhai Forge, Wharepapa South: Part 1
School of blacksmithing, Wharepapa South
Smokin Cole BBQ, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Coco’s Cantina, Karangahape Road, Auckland
Coco’s Cantina: A neighbourhood restaurant serving homestyle, Mediterranean-inspired food.
Ima Cuisine, Fort Street, Auckland
Ima Cuisine: The feeling of coming “home”.
World Chocolate Day – Part 1
World Chocolate Day gets postponed by a week to catch the winter sun.
Michael Bernard, Knife Sharpener
Michael Bernard, Knife Sharpener, Snells Beach
Bay of Islands Vintage Railway, Kawakawa: Part 2
The Vintage Railway workshop, where battered trains are restored.
Matakana Smokehouse, Matakana, Auckland
A small, family-operated smokehouse just out of Matakana Village.
Bay of Islands Ink, Cass Street, Russell
The tattoo place just off the water, on Cass Street, Russell.
The Real Bread Project, Helensville, Auckland
The Real Bread Project, way out in Helensville, with its own mill.
Dusty Apron: New Bakery, Mt. Wellington, Auckland
A move from the Version 1.0 of The Dusty Apron, to the next level.
Foiling Event, Takapuna Boating Club, Takapuna
The foiling event—one of many at Takapuna Boating Club.
Pro Kart Racing: Hamilton
It’s an explosion of noise—and petrol fumes that fill the air. That’s what Pro Kart Racing is all about.
Horses of Hokianga
Horses abound in Hokianga, the land of the giant kauri trees.
Crayfishing Boat, Opononi Harbour, Hokianga
The crayfish boat goes out to sea from Opononi Harbour, Hokianga
Steve Wheeler, Weapons Maker, Hobbit Films, Eskdale
Steve Wheeler: searching for shibumi. 渋い —an almost unreachable level of excellence.
Jamie’s Kitchen, Wilderness Lodge, Arthur’s Pass
Jamie’s playground at the Wilderness Lodge, Arthur’s Pass
Cora Lynn Sheep Round Up, Arthur’s Pass
It’s time to wean the lambs away from the ewes. And today’s that kind of day.
Prohibition Pop Up, Art Deco, Paisley Stage, Napier
Off the main road, next to a boxing gym, is a place called Paisley Stage.
Deco Dinner, The Old Church, Meanee
The Deco Dinner at the Old Church in Meanee, about 11 minutes away from central Napier.
Charleston, Back Stage, Art Deco, Napier
There’s a before and after every event. This is the Napier Charleston dressing room.
Piha Beach, West Auckland
Piha is a seaside village, west of Auckland, on New Zealand’s North Island.
Anzac Day, The Domain, Auckland
Anzac Day 2021: The morning vigil was cancelled in 2020 due to Covid 19. This was 2021.
Morris and James, Matakana, Auckland
Morris and James in Matakana. Handmade pottery, art and garden sculpture.
Waka Ama Training, Lake Pupuke
Training at Lake Pupuke, on the North Shore. The boot camp gets the groups ready for competition.
Bethells Beach, Auckland
Te Henga, or Bethells Beach, is a coastal community of the Auckland Region in the north of the North Island, New Zealand.
Pasta & Cuore, Mt. Eden, Auckland
There’s no such thing as Spaghetti Bolognese! That’s the statement that greets you at Pasta & Cuore, located right in the heart of Mt.Eden Village.
Fire Station, Takapuna, Auckland
A local passerby would justifiably be confused why the fire station goes by the name of Takapuna Fire Station, when it’s located at Wairau Road.
Sigdi, Devonport, Auckland
I’d just immigrated to Auckland, New Zealand and this was the first restaurant I visited. We were regulars every Tuesday for 18 years.
Amano, Britomart, Auckland
Amano, situated in Britomart is a combination of a bakery, cafe and full-service restaurant and incredibly busy all day long.
France in Cartoons
A diary of France in watercolour
Paris, Part 1
Paris, the city of lights
Daily Bread, Belmont, Auckland-Part 1
As Easter rolls along, Daily Bread Belmont swings into action making thousands of hot cross buns.
Moana Oysters, Coromandel, Part 2
It takes 15-18 months to grow an oyster. The oysters are selected for specific traits.
Secret Garden, Pukekohe
The source of utterly fresh, organic produce for New Zealand’s top restaurants
Málaga, Spain: Part 1
Malaga boasts stunning natural landscapes.but has a feisty urban charm.
Seeka Fresh, Mt. Wellington, Auckland
An orchard to market service in Mt.Wellington
Coco’s Cantina, Karangahape Road, Auckland
Pirate Day and staff meeting at Coco’s Cantina
Portraits of Kerala
The eternally smiley faces of Kerala
Takapuna Sunday Farmers Market: Part 1
The Takapuna Sunday Farmers Market since 1969
Granada, Andalucía, Spain
The magical city of Granada, Spain.
Florrie McGreal’s, St. Patrick’s Day, Takapuna, Auckland.
A lively Irish Pub in the heart of Takapuna
Mibo, Enfield Street, Auckland
A tiny little bakery and cafe in Mt. Eden.
Lee Fish, Leigh, Auckland
Long line, sustainable fishery in Leigh
Sweet As Crêpes, Auckland
Sweet As Crêpes is an Auckland based family business specialising in making fresh French crêpes
La Tropezienne Cafe, Browns Bay, Auckland
An authentic, and one of the oldest French Bakeries in Auckland
Best Ugly Bagels, Wellesley Street, Auckland
Bagels don’t have to be perfect—that’s why Best Ugly Bagels exists
Disco Hair Salon, Morningside, Auckland
A funky hair salon in Morningside
The Bike Shop, Helensville, Auckland
The motorbike shop with the air of motocross
Liberty Brewing Co, Helensville, Auckland – Part 1
Crazy, even hazy beers made in Helensville
Refitting a restaurant: Kol
The work that goes into retrofitting a restaurant: Kol, Ponsonby
Feoh Espresso, Waipu, Northland
Feoh Espresso run by a father-son team serving exceptional coffee.
Hallertau Brewery, Riverhead, Auckland
Hallertau brewery, the home of the hopping good times!
Tokki, Milford, Auckland
Seasonal, fresh Korean food restaurant in Milford.
The Pie Piper, Karangahape Road, Auckland
“Pie and Happiness”: American-style dessert pies on K Road
Be Specialty Coffee Roasters, Birkenhead, Auckland
Be Specialty Coffee, with changing coffee roasts through the year.
Cotto Restaurant, Karangahape Road, Auckland
Cotto: Handmade Italian Pasta on Karangahape Road.
Hauraki Tyre and Battery, Thames
Hauraki Tyres, run by Craig and Tania Moore, in Thames
Chris Ellwood, Blacksmith
Chris Elwood, blacksmith. Working in his workshop in Helensville.
Bay of Islands Vintage Railway, Kawakawa: Part 1
A working vintage railway in Kawakawa, Bay of Islands.
Russell, Northland. Part 1
Russell, once called the “hell-hole” of the Pacific.
Body Fit Training, Mt. Wellington, Auckland
Another view of Body Fitness Training—this time with weight training.
Body Fitness Training (BFT), Mt.Wellington, Auckland
Body Fitness Training (BFT) which is up and running at 5 am.
Landscaping on the North Shore
Landscaping on the North Shore, Auckland.
Dog Day Out, Takapuna, Auckland
A Saturday in May, and the day goes to the dogs.
Freight Company, Auckland
A new outdoor table is a treat. And yet, someone has to transport it and install it.
The road to MitiMiti
Mitimiti: A beach, far and forlorn off the coast of Hokianga
Brosnan Construction, Hobson Street, Auckland
Recladding of apartments on Hobson Street by Brosnan Construction
The Wool Shed, Wilderness Lodge, Arthur’s Pass
It’s a smelly place, but the woodshed is where all the action is centred around.
Mum’s Track, Wilderness Lodge, Arthur’s Pass
A morning walk down Mum’s Track.
On the Street: Art Deco Week, Napier
Just stuff that happens behind the scenes, and sometimes in the full glare of the Art Deco Week.
Bicycle Belles, Art Deco, Napier
The Bicycle Belles start near the Napier stage and head off to Ahuriri for a picnic.
Makeup and Wig Session, Charleston Dancers, Art Deco, Napier
Lots of preparation goes into the dress, makeup and wigs for the Charleston dancers in Napier
Charleston at the Hawke’s Bay Club, Napier
The Charleston at the Hawke’s Bay Club, Napier.
Supernova, Milford, Auckland
On the main strip of Milford, Supernova Cafe.
Ozone Coffee, Westmoreland, Auckland
Specialty coffee, a massive space. And food, lots of interesting food.
Seaview Meats, Milford, Auckland
Established in 1988, Seaview Meats sits on East Coast Road. It sells mostly organic and gourmet meats.
Wild Wheat, Mangere, Auckland
The scale of the Wild Wheat Bakery is slightly mind-boggling. It supplies bread to cafes & restaurants across Auckland.
Portraits of Sheep, Waipu
What would New Zealand be without millions of sheep? Yet New Zealand has fewer sheep than several other countries.
Radio NZ, Hobson Street, Auckland
Radio broadcasting began in New Zealand in 1922 with most radio stations being government owned. RNZ is still government-owned.
Ark Coffee, Takapuna, Auckland
Ark Coffee, a specialty coffee store in Takapuna. Situated down a corridor between the French Bakery and a barber, it’s easy to miss.
Matakana Oysters, Auckland
Tom Walters at Matakana Oysters at The Green Shed. The shed was earlier used by another oyster pair that left for Australia.
The Dusty Apron, St.John’s, Auckland
The Dusty Apron—such a cool name for a bakery. Located in the St. John’s area of Auckland, And then there is Dusty’s Depot for a coffee and bread.