Why Auckland?
New Zealand’s largest city offers much more than a gateway to this safe, friendly and super-scenic country. Straddling an isthmus two kilometres wide on North Island, it enjoys a warm climate, superb waterfront setting and an internationally savvy good life that rivals Sydney or San Francisco. A thriving economy, buzzy harbourside restaurants and stimulating activities ranging from hiking up volcanoes to racing an America’s Cup yacht make Auckland an ideal place to tune into the many attractions of the Kiwi lifestyle.
A comfortable bed
The bright, light five-star Hilton Auckland (www.auckland.hilton.com; 0064 9 978 2000) has a winning harbourfront location on Princes Wharf with 165 rooms, all with balconies marred only by the fact that in peak season a visiting cruise ship can block the view from some. Doubles from 324 New Zealand dollars (Dh1,031).
Fans of designer hotels will love the privately owned Hotel Debrett (www.hoteldebrett.com; 0064 9 925 9000), which has 25 rooms exquisitely decorated with contemporary art, vintage finds and mid-century furnishings. Doubles with breakfast from $300 (Dh955).
The four-star Waldorf Celestion Apartments Hotel (www.celestion-waldorf.co.nz; 0064 9 280 2200) has 123 one- and two-bedroom apartments in two centrally located towers spread over 18 levels. The style is bland and executive but nightly rates can be as low as $115 (Dh366). For more information see aucklandnz.comand www.newzealand.com.
Find your feet
For an aerial perspective, ascend the 328-metre high Sky Tower (www.skycityauckland.co.nz), which offers 360-degree city views; adrenalin addicts can take a daring tethered SkyWalk or a SkyJump that sends you plummeting down to the streets at 85kph. Safely on ground level, stretch your legs after the long flight by walking a section of the signposted 16km Coast to Coast Walkway that stitches together several fine parks. TIME Unlimited Tours (www.newzealandtours.travel; 0064 9 846 3469) has excellent introductory tours by minibus that visit the key viewpoints and come packed with cultural insights.
Meet the locals
Auckland is the largest Polynesian city in the world. Almost a quarter of its 1.37 million residents are of Maori or Pacific island descent. Visit the Pacific Masterpieces gallery at the Auckland Museum (www.aucklandmuseum.com) to appreciate the richness of this culture.
There's always plenty going on here, including the Auckland Writers & Readers Festival (May 14-18; www.writersfestival.co.nz) and the New Zealand International Film Festival (July 17-August 3; www.nziff.co.nz). Foodies should align a visit with Taste of Auckland (November 13-16; www.tasteofauckland.co.nz), and everyone's already excited about next year's ICC Cricket World Cup (from February 14; www.icc-cricket.com).
Book a table
On the 53rd level of Sky Tower, The Sugar Club (www.thesugarclub.co.nz; 0064 9 363 6365) is the latest opening from top Kiwi chef Peter Gordon. It offers a beguiling menu of small and sensational plates such as paddle crab with saffron linguine and juniper-cured venison with goji berries; a trio costs $85 (Dh271).
Depot Eatery (no reservations; www.depoteatery.co.nz; 0064 9 363 7048) epitomises all that is exciting about the Auckland food scene with its industrial interiors, devotion to the seasons and sharing plates. Try the Coromandel mussels with tarragon for $14 (Dh44).
If the sun's out, head west to the harbourside Wynyard Quarter where you'll find lots of tempting eateries including Marvel Grill (www.marvellgrill.co.nz; 0064 9 377 8828) serving a terrific mixed seafood grill for $47 (Dh149). Close by, the Auckland Fish Market (www.afm.co.nz) is a good place to pick up a picnic, and it also features a fish restaurant and a cooking school.
Shopper’s paradise
The smart, open-plan shopping precinct Britomart (www.britomart.org) is the best place to check out leading New Zealand fashion labels such as Karen Walker, Trelise Cooper and Zambesi. Sports and leisurewear made using oh-so-soft merino wool is a top buy.
Eco-friendly Untouched World (www.untouchedworld.com; 0064 9 303 1382) has elegant designs for men and women. For Kiwi-theme gifts with a happy, retro style to take home, seek out Pauanesia (www.pauanesia.co.nz; 0064 9 366 7282). In the same street, Unity Books (www.unitybooks.co.nz; 0064 9 307 0371) is an old-school independent bookseller where you can pick up some stimulating reading about New Zealand. The country's literary scene is on a roll thanks to Eleanor Catton's Man Booker-winning novel, The Luminaries.
What to avoid
Annoying extras – some hotels add a 1.5 per cent supplement for using a credit card, and too many still charge for Wi-Fi.
Don’t miss
Waiheke Island, a chichi seaside getaway that can be reached on an exhilarating seaplane flight (www.aucklandseaplanes.com) or 40-minute ferry ride. Huge empty beaches, easy-going cafes and restaurants, a bucolic atmosphere and engaging art galleries and sculpture parks guarantee a satisfying day trip. Plan your visit at www.waihekenz.com.
Go there
Etihad Airways (www.etihadairways.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Auckland via Sydney, from Dh7,335 return including taxes.
* Kipat Wilson
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The five pillars of Islam
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.0-litre%20six-cylinder%20turbo%20(BMW%20B58)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20340hp%20at%206%2C500rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20500Nm%20from%201%2C600-4%2C500rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20ZF%208-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E0-100kph%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.2sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20267kph%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh462%2C189%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWarranty%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2030-month%2F48%2C000k%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C600rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E320Nm%20at%201%2C500-4%2C000rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.9L%2F100km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh119%2C900%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
RESULTS
6.30pm: Longines Conquest Classic Dh150,000 Maiden 1,200m.
Winner: Halima Hatun, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ismail Mohammed (trainer).
7.05pm: Longines Gents La Grande Classique Dh155,000 Handicap 1,200m.
Winner: Moosir, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.
7.40pm: Longines Equestrian Collection Dh150,000 Maiden 1,600m.
Winner: Mazeed, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
8.15pm: Longines Gents Master Collection Dh175,000 Handicap.
Winner: Thegreatcollection, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Longines Ladies Master Collection Dh225,000 Conditions 1,600m.
Winner: Cosmo Charlie, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
9.25pm: Longines Ladies La Grande Classique Dh155,000 Handicap 1,600m.
Winner: Secret Trade, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
10pm: Longines Moon Phase Master Collection Dh170,000 Handicap 2,000m.
Winner:
Types of fraud
Phishing: Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
Smishing: The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
Vishing: The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
SIM swap: Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
Identity theft: Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
Prize scams: Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
* Nada El Sawy
Pakistan Super League
Previous winners
2016 Islamabad United
2017 Peshawar Zalmi
2018 Islamabad United
2019 Quetta Gladiators
Most runs Kamran Akmal – 1,286
Most wickets Wahab Riaz –65
Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
Haemoglobin disorders explained
Thalassaemia is part of a family of genetic conditions affecting the blood known as haemoglobin disorders.
Haemoglobin is a substance in the red blood cells that carries oxygen and a lack of it triggers anemia, leaving patients very weak, short of breath and pale.
The most severe type of the condition is typically inherited when both parents are carriers. Those patients often require regular blood transfusions - about 450 of the UAE's 2,000 thalassaemia patients - though frequent transfusions can lead to too much iron in the body and heart and liver problems.
The condition mainly affects people of Mediterranean, South Asian, South-East Asian and Middle Eastern origin. Saudi Arabia recorded 45,892 cases of carriers between 2004 and 2014.
A World Health Organisation study estimated that globally there are at least 950,000 'new carrier couples' every year and annually there are 1.33 million at-risk pregnancies.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
RESULTS
6.30pm Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner Canvassed, Par Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
7.05pm Meydan Cup – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,810m
Winner Dubai Future, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Mouheeb, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
8.15pm Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
9.50pm Meydan Classic – Conditions (TB) $$50,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Topper Bill, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
9.25pm Dubai Sprint – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner Man Of Promise, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
Bert van Marwijk factfile
Born: May 19 1952
Place of birth: Deventer, Netherlands
Playing position: Midfielder
Teams managed:
1998-2000 Fortuna Sittard
2000-2004 Feyenoord
2004-2006 Borussia Dortmund
2007-2008 Feyenoord
2008-2012 Netherlands
2013-2014 Hamburg
2015-2017 Saudi Arabia
2018 Australia
Major honours (manager):
2001/02 Uefa Cup, Feyenoord
2007/08 KNVB Cup, Feyenoord
World Cup runner-up, Netherlands
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The years Ramadan fell in May
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
