My Secret Auckland: Contemporary dancer Caleb Heke shares their favourite spots in the city
Favourite restaurant for dinner with friends?
Punjabi Kitchen on Lincoln Rd is my comfort food heaven. It's only five minutes from where I live and it always hits the spot when I'm after a warm, hearty meal. The spices, the flavours, the portions, it's the kind of place you leave with a full belly and a full heart.
Favourite place to take a visitor to?
Basement Theatre is always my top recommendation when I've got someone visiting Auckland. It's such a creative and exciting space, showcasing everything from theatre and dance to comedy. No matter who you're with, there's bound to be something on that'll spark a laugh or a deep thought, or both!
Favourite spot to finish a night out?
The Churchill on Queen St is my go-to wind-down spot after a show at Basement Theatre or Q Theatre. It's a stylish gin bar with a moody, relaxed atmosphere and panoramic views of the city. Something about sipping a cocktail while looking out over Auckland just wraps up the night perfectly.
Favourite place to get coffee?
Coffee Studio in Corban's Estate, Henderson, is a bit of a hidden gem. It's where Atamira Dance Company is based, so on my lunch breaks I love sneaking over for a regular oat flat white and a caramel slice. The vibe is cute, homely and welcoming and the staff are always down for a chat.
Favourite fish-and-chip shop?
Smith and Wong's Takeaways has been our family's go-to for years, and for good reason. Sunday night fish and chips just wouldn't be the same without it. Crispy, golden and nostalgic.
Favourite trail for a hike?
I'm not the most avid hiker but I do love the Waitākere Dam Walk. It's got everything, from lush native bush to rivers and waterfalls (great for a cold dip if you're brave), and the dam itself is stunning to walk across. It's not too long or difficult, which makes it ideal for a cruisy weekend mission.
Favourite venue for a gig?
The Tuning Fork is one of my favourite venues for live music. It has this chill, intimate vibe where you can either be tearing it up on the dance floor or tucked into a corner with a glass of red. Whether it's an emerging artist or someone you already love, the experience always feels personal and electric.
Favourite place to find a bargain?
As a dancer, I'm constantly needing vitamins, protein, strapping tape and haircare and Chemist Warehouse is a lifesaver. They've got everything I need at prices that don't make my wallet cry. It's my go-to spot for restocking all the essentials.
Caleb Heke (Ngāpuhi) is a contemporary dance artist, born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau. Caleb has been a dancer with Atamira Dance Company since the end 2020.
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NZ Herald
6 days ago
- NZ Herald
My Secret Auckland: Contemporary dancer Caleb Heke shares their favourite spots in the city
The Breakfast Club in Point Chev is the ultimate brunch destination in my opinion. They've got a great range of pancakes, your classic cafe fare, and a solid line-up of thick shakes. My go-to order? Either the Big Brekkie Club or the Classic Stack Pancakes, and yes, I'm always adding bacon. You can't go wrong. Favourite restaurant for dinner with friends? Punjabi Kitchen on Lincoln Rd is my comfort food heaven. It's only five minutes from where I live and it always hits the spot when I'm after a warm, hearty meal. The spices, the flavours, the portions, it's the kind of place you leave with a full belly and a full heart. Favourite place to take a visitor to? Basement Theatre is always my top recommendation when I've got someone visiting Auckland. It's such a creative and exciting space, showcasing everything from theatre and dance to comedy. No matter who you're with, there's bound to be something on that'll spark a laugh or a deep thought, or both! Favourite spot to finish a night out? The Churchill on Queen St is my go-to wind-down spot after a show at Basement Theatre or Q Theatre. It's a stylish gin bar with a moody, relaxed atmosphere and panoramic views of the city. Something about sipping a cocktail while looking out over Auckland just wraps up the night perfectly. Favourite place to get coffee? Coffee Studio in Corban's Estate, Henderson, is a bit of a hidden gem. It's where Atamira Dance Company is based, so on my lunch breaks I love sneaking over for a regular oat flat white and a caramel slice. The vibe is cute, homely and welcoming and the staff are always down for a chat. Favourite fish-and-chip shop? Smith and Wong's Takeaways has been our family's go-to for years, and for good reason. Sunday night fish and chips just wouldn't be the same without it. Crispy, golden and nostalgic. Favourite trail for a hike? I'm not the most avid hiker but I do love the Waitākere Dam Walk. It's got everything, from lush native bush to rivers and waterfalls (great for a cold dip if you're brave), and the dam itself is stunning to walk across. It's not too long or difficult, which makes it ideal for a cruisy weekend mission. Favourite venue for a gig? The Tuning Fork is one of my favourite venues for live music. It has this chill, intimate vibe where you can either be tearing it up on the dance floor or tucked into a corner with a glass of red. Whether it's an emerging artist or someone you already love, the experience always feels personal and electric. Favourite place to find a bargain? As a dancer, I'm constantly needing vitamins, protein, strapping tape and haircare and Chemist Warehouse is a lifesaver. They've got everything I need at prices that don't make my wallet cry. It's my go-to spot for restocking all the essentials. Caleb Heke (Ngāpuhi) is a contemporary dance artist, born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau. Caleb has been a dancer with Atamira Dance Company since the end 2020.
NZ Herald
22-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Bay of Plenty's Jazmin Paget-Knebel wins 2025 Kīngi Tūheitia Portraiture Awards
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Otago Daily Times
02-05-2025
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Benefits and opportunities of cycle trails highlighted
Dunedin risks missing out on a significant tourism boost if it does not connect to Otago's sprawling cycle trail network. During the public forum of this week's meeting, Christchurch-based Cycle Journeys owner Geoff Gabites urged the council not "the throw the baby out with the bath water" when it comes to investing in cycleways. His advice comes after the Dunedin City Council earlier this year removed $22.4 million for the Dunedin Tunnel Trails project from its draft nine-year plan which would have linked Dunedin to the wide Otago cycle network. At the time, Mayor Jules Radich said the cut was part of a $272m cost-saving exercise over the next nine years to reduce pressure on rates. Mr Gabites said over the summer he had cycled Te Aka Otākou and Lawrence-Waihola trails and told the council by not connecting to other trails in the region, Dunedin was turning its back on an opportunity to become a major cycling hub. "My lasting impression was that if I was 20 years younger I would be buying a depot here in Dunedin, ready for the obvious link-up to Mosgiel and also north to Oamaru and the [Alps2Ocean]. "These are low-energy, low-carbon activities which have a very strong engagement with the New Zealand domestic market and attract the 'active relaxer' international tourism market with a focus on slow travel," he said. Mr Gabites said he appreciated the council's efforts to keep rates low and cycle trails were an investment with proven economic and social benefits. Also speaking in the public forum was Dunedin tourism operator Kylie Ruwhiu-Karawana (Ngāpuhi), who said it was "glaringly obvious" Dunedin was a "black hole", with no connection to internationally significant trails around the region. "It's an opportunity we could lean into to really see better, stronger benefits for Ōtepoti Dunedin — socially, culturally environmentally and economically." Trails also presented indigenous people an opportunity to connect to their tīpuna [ancestors], she said. "Many of the trails that you walk on now, my people and many of the indigenous people from around the world have walked those trails for tens of thousands of years beforehand," she said. "The challenge is, from an indigenous perspective, they don't have the ability to walk on the trails their [ancestors] walked on . . . [or] to learn the stories in place."
