Area Information - About Takapuna

Introduction

With one of the most breathtaking coastlines and clearest views to the volcanic Rangitoto Island, Takapuna Beach is New Zealand’s iconic and premiere urban beach. 

Soft white expanses of sand, complimented by great shops and its unparralled proximity to the CBD makes this city-center a highly desirable location for both living and working, where visitors and locals alike can escape the hustle and bustle from over the bridge. 

When To Visit

The temperate weather of New Zealand means that anytime can be enjoyable in Takapuna - however, you'll get more use of the wonderful beach during the summer months of December through to April.

Things to See and Do in Takapuna

The scenic coastline is accessorized by the town itself, which prides itself on world class shopping and sophisticated, yet casual, hospitality. You don’t have to look far to realize there are numerous ways to enjoy your stay here in Takapuna. 

Culture

The area boasts many cultural facilities including The Bruce Mason Centre, the Pumphouse, and Lakehouse Arts.

Most notably, the Bruce Mason Centre is host to world-class shows, and is the darling gem of Takapuna.

Activities

The Takapuna-Milford Track

A breathtaking coastal walk that can be accomplished at any tide from either direction (allow for 45minutes each way).

Movies 

Berkeley Cinemas is located right in the heart of Takapuna and provides a perfect ending to a hard day's worth of shopping.

Water Sports

Stand Up Paddle Boarding - there's no better place to gain your water feet than with a hands on lesson in paddle boarding from Stand Up Takapuna.

Windsurfing – Located along the fringes of Lake Pupuke, MadLoop is more than happy to strap you on to a windsurfing board 

Shopping

Takapuna is renowned for it's upscale high-end shops so any visit would not be complete without adding to your baggage allowance. 

For a full list of shops check out our 'Shopping' directory 

Takapuna Sights

Fossil Forest

DID YOU KNOW: Takapuna is home to a very unique 200,000 year-old ancient fossil forest, which boasts some of the best examples of prehistoric forest remains preserved in an ancient lava flow.

In places the mounds acted as pillars, which supported a solid roof of cooled basalt over the cavities. Later some sections of the roof collapsed, opening up the interior. Elsewhere, some cavities and arches were preserved

Lake Pupuke

Lake Pupuke is a heart-shaped crater lake ideal for water-sporting activities, from windsurfing to feeding the ducks. 

And if you fancy a fish, Lake Pupuke is regularly stocked with rainbow and brown trout. Take note though guys, fishing WILL cost you a fishing license (or be in breach of council laws and fines).

DID YOU KNOW: Lake Pupuke is actually a volcano and one of the oldest in Auckland, up to 150,000 years old according to some sources.  So rather than the height factor, think of it more as an explosion crater

Rangitoto Island

Takapuna Lifestyle

The area is prosperous, dynamic and diverse, and offers a range of quality lifestyles. There are numerous education and employment opportunities within the board area

The smart, the stylish and the suitably suntanned all live here. Takapuna is the suburb that most people on the city-center side of the bridge aspire to.

But don't let the high-end labels and affluence fool you - the locals here are some of the friendliest with boating blood and casual-chic philosophies transcending all.

Takapuna Strategic Plan

As a recognised area by council for future intensification, the beachfront will become the backyard for the estimated 15,000 residents and 15,000 employees who will inhabit Takapuna by 2040.

The area has magnificent potential in its central business area and wider precincts to further develop into the thriving southern hub of the North Shore, and the council has recognised this potential in creating this forward-thinking planning framework for the area.