Is an ice cream at Mission Bay the perfect school holiday activity? Briege McAteer writes.
"We can stay up late and sleep in, we just relax. It's a break from school, that's what we look forward to the most."
Having only recently started her first job, Sophie Maitland from Henderson, is well aware of the expense of the holidays.
"Our ideal day in the holidays would be a cheap one," says Gretchen Hatton, also of Henderson. "We'd go to Mission Bay and get Movenpick, then eat by the fountain and relax."
Auckland, as bustling and exuberant as it is, is not the cheapest metropolis. Short of a plain bread roll and cold coffee, there is little one can buy without cracking a tenner.
In times like these, a student's skill in the fine art of hunting bargains really begins to surface.
From parents facing the school break with no idea of how to fill the time with entertaining activities, to high school and university students feeling the penny pinch, we're in dire need of tricks of the trade and insider hints to get by.
The university quad, during the semester, is a cheap, convenient place to find a satisfying feed in the city but, when the students can't get the cheap comfort of student food they tend to favour mi-goreng noodles and beer.
After food, there's seldom much money for entertainment. One can try holding M&M battles* for an outlay of about around $3.99, but this is hardly excitement.
Emerging bands perform free concerts as an ongoing source of amusement, and the Eventfinder website has a wide array of concerts for all ages, right across the city.
With several events at Vector Arena, Auckland Transport offers free travel to the venue. Keeping university students happy, nearby pubs cater for thirsty punters attracted by the call of free concerts.
For younger patrons, Kelly Tarlton's once again offers specialised holiday activities; Club Penguin is even stopping in for a visit. Adult entry costs $33.90 and under-15s get in for $9.90.
Even the ferries that tour the islands off our coast are fun and wallet-friendly for kids. Rangitoto Island, the handsome backdrop to the waterfront, is perfect for picnics or bush walks to the summit. Family passes start at $65.
With children and tweens occupying parks and older university students amused by pub bands, short of hitting the malls, Auckland's teens are left yearning for something to do. The weather is just mild enough to hit the beach and there's cheap movies on Tuesdays at local cinemas.
Avondale College students Sophie and Gretchen are never short of things to do during the break. "We go to the beach and the mall or just hang out with friends." The young students are all for the cost-effective holiday spirit.
Auckland Art Gallery is always refreshing and free to enter. Devonport's bookstores are an attraction all on their own. Ferries leave Downtown around every half hour with reasonably priced adult return fares of $11.
Extreme Edge, has two Auckland rock-climbing centres and their friendly staff help make a day there exciting. Bowling alleys dotted around the city are the noisy kind of day that kids thrive on. And, if all else fails, no one ever refuses a trip to Auckland Zoo or Rainbows End, even if they are a bit more costly.
The reality is that school holidays can be expensive, and usually are, however they don't need to be. Auckland has so many free options where fun is not compromised, so grab a coat (and an umbrella, too, most days), the kids and go explore.
For more ideas on how to spend the holidays, the Eventfinder website has a handy search box on the homepage:ww.theaucklander.co.nz
*M&M battles
All you need is a packet of M&Ms. Pick out two and hold them together between thumb and forefinger, applying pressure until one cracks under the pressure. Devour the broken one. Pick out another and pit it against the unbroken one.
Once the process of elimination is complete, the winner of the final round is the supreme champion. This blob of chocolate is afforded more courtesy than the rest, and should be considered supreme ruler of the M&M race - until the next packet is opened and battle, once again, is joined.
Opinion: A student's guide to holidays in Auckland
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