Flash's Summertime Guide to Whangārei and Bream Bay.
Published on 17 December 2024
As one of Northland’s most well-known radio hosts, More FM's Angela 'Flash' Gordon knows this district inside out. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, Flash will help you make the most of your time in this beautiful part of Aotearoa.
Start your day off fresh:
"There's no better way to begin your weekend than at the Whangārei Growers Market. I stock up on fresh flowers, avocados, broccoli for my excellent broccoli salad, and pea sprouts from Murray and Nicci at HydroHealthy. You can't go to the market without getting a cinnamon bun from the Hare Krishna Community Cafe and giving local celebrity Mr T a little something!"
Where to find it: The Whangarei Growers Market is held every Saturday from 6am - 10am. 17 Water Street, Whangārei.
Hunt for a pre-loved bargain:
"I am obsessed with anything retro and love a mid-morning op-shop. The Hospice Shop has an excellent book selection (I’m partial to a WWII novel and modern fiction but will read almost anything). The Salvation Army;and the Hospice Shop both have a great clothing selection, and Habitat for Humanity Re:Store is great for quirky finds. The kids are always coming home with random things – most recently a 1980s slot car machine from a local garage sale."
Where to find it: North Haven Hospice Shops are located in Whangārei, Waipū and Ruakākā. The Salvation Army is located at 36 Vine Street, Whangārei, and the Re:Store at 50B Kioreroa Road, Whangārei.
Cruise the Kamo Shared Path:
"We live in Kensington, so we jump on our bikes and head down to the city centre, turn around and pedal back to Kamo, then it's all downhill home. My three kids all enjoy riding as a family, though my husband is the only one lucky enough to have an e-bike!"
Where to find it: The Kamo Shared Path is part of an extensive network of shared paths throughout Whangārei. Cycle from Farmer Street in Te Kamo to Rust Avenue in the city centre or join the path from one of the many intersections.
Rest up in Ruakākā:
"We have a bit of a family commune in Ruakākā so it’s usually off to the beach for the night. We love catching up over a family BBQ, most often with lamb chops and that famous broccoli salad. There's no TV, so it's puzzles, reading and games (we love Dixit, Michigan Rummy & Otrio)".
Greet the day from the beach:
"We're always out walking and swimming at Ruakākā; you'll find me in the water year-round round and my happy place is walking along to Uretiti and back to enjoy the sunrise. My kids are involved in the Ruakākā Surf Life Club’s Nippers programme, and the oldest is now racing IRBs. It's wholesome fun at the beach, with awesome volunteers and a great way to give kids water confidence."
Where to find it: The Ruakākā Surf Lifesaving Patrol are active on Ruakākā Beach on weekends and public holidays between Labour Weekend and Easter Weekend. Always swim between the flags!
A piece of pizza (or three):
"You can't beat McLeod's Pizza Barn. Their squid is outstanding, and they do an epic Nojito (Mojito mocktail). They’re really kid-friendly, with a kids' corner and big slide in the courtyard. You can’t book ahead, but it's always worth the summer wait."
Where to find it: McLeod's Pizza Barn is open Monday - Sunday, 11.30am - 9pm. 2 Cove Road, Waipū.
A spot of shopping:
"After pizza, we wander Waipū's main road, checking out the cool vintage shops like Industry Vintage and Surf Shack Waipu, and picking up some cheese or bread from the local deli. There's a great skatepark for the kids. I really enjoy Waipū, it has a friendly vibe and great markets. Petra's Pastries are a "must-eat treat" - try the family-sized fruit and custard pies!"
Where to find it: Waipū is wonderfully easy to navigate, with almost everything located along The Centre and Cove Road. Park next to the Waipu Scottish Migration Museum and enjoy a wander.
If there was one thing I would recommend to summer visitors, it would be:
"Definitely a walk around the Town Basin and the Hātea Loop, or a walk up Parihaka."
Where to find it: The Whangarei Central Walks brochure is a wealth of information on local walks. Download it here(PDF, 10MB) or visit the Whangārei isite Information Centre to pick up a copy.
Angela 'Flash' Gordon moved to Whangārei 23 years ago and never looked back. She's a self-proclaimed 'small-town' person, who loves escaping the city for the peace of the beach. The More FM Breakfast Club, hosted by John, Flash and Toast is live on air every weekday from 5.30am to 10am at 91.6FM.