Auckland's best markets, surviving the heatwave, and Chinese New Year

If this email is not displayed correctly, [click here]( to view an online version. Every big brash city – [as Auckland is fast becoming]( – needs its little sister. A city with a completely different vibe that inspires people in the bigger city to say, “I would die if I had to live there. So claustrophobic!” I love Wellington - I spent five years there in the 90s and still call it home. And, having just had a few days there, I’ve boiled the differences between our cities down to two undeniable elements. #1 Nerds Nerd is an inadequate word to describe a type of person that exists internationally. A person who might be found slowly tacking to the office wall a handmade sign that reads “Holepuncher Amnesty Box”. These people are pillars of society and I’m not saying they don’t exist in Auckland – but they’re less visible. In Wellington, they rule. They own that town, confidently striding Lambton Quay, sitting beside fountains with their sandwiches. And it’s a nice thing because a) this type of person is often friendly and polite, and b) they make increasingly uncool you feel quite street. #2 Gentility “Look at this place!” I yelled to my daughter as we careened around the Thorndon, Tinakori Rd end of Wellington, lost as usual. “This is where Katherine Mansfield lived!” I think I had that wrong. But the point is, KM may as well have lived around there. There’s a Victorian vibe radiating from many corners of Wellington. And there remains a kind of delicate, bird-like older woman, who would never survive the harsh climes of Auckland. These women used to work in Kirkcaldie & Stains where they were at home among the silver and Italian glassware. Where did they flee when David Jones came crashing down in its place? NEWS - DATING - RUNNING PakNSave store A toddler left locked alone inside a car on a hot Auckland day was [rescued by supermarket staff and a customer](. David Le Roux spotted the child as he was getting out of his car at Pak 'n Save in Silverdale on Wednesday. He alerted staff who managed to get the child to unlock the car, before they took him inside. The child was unharmed but a spokeswoman for Foodstuffs, which runs the store, urged customers not to leave children unattended in their cars. The SPCA has also warned people [not to leave dogs in cars]( after a pet died. Sinead Corcoran While I’m a romantic at heart and a firm believer in the idea you could be one bad date away from the love of your life, statistically speaking, during this heatwave, it's just not worth the dice roll. This week, forget Tinder and forget putting on a full face of makeup for a 4 per cent chance of finding love, when you're just going to immediately sweat it off your top lip. Controversial advice from a dating columnist, I know, but here are [10 things to do this week instead of going on a date](. Cause it is just too damn hot. Mangere mountain Heading from the motorway towards the city, you can’t help but see One Tree Hill looming right in front of you. But off to the left, just before south Auckland's Māngere Bridge, is an often over-looked yet majestic volcano, Māngere Mountain. A run to the top over challenging pathways that loop 4km is rewarded with a vista of Manukau Harbour and down into the crater, a reminder of the eruption almost 20,000 years ago. Behold nature’s power. You can read Eugene Bingham's latest running column [here](. Enjoying this email? [Check out Stuff's other daily and weekly newsletters](. NEIGHBOURLY - FOOD - WHAT'S ON double decker bus Have you ever pondered how a double decker bus manages not to tip over? Especially when it comes to navigating some of Auckland's sharp corners? It's times like these you wish Ask Jeeves still existed, or at very least you had a friend like Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory. Neighbourly members are more concerned about themselves not falling over when the bus is moving - particularly when navigating the stairwell. Got any tips? Let us know by [commenting here](. breakfast burritos Where to eat, what to drink and what's new? Tell us what you need - we're the agony aunts of Auckland's food scene. Email your food and drink questions to your09@stuff.co.nz. This week, a reader writes: Can you suggest markets with good food trucks and stalls to get a roving brunch? [Check out our answer here]( - we've found the best places for Japanese options, fresh produce and where to get great donuts and coffee. Chinese dragon dance Head down to Auckland's ASB Showgrounds in Epsom to welcome in the year of the pig at the 2019 Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day. Run by [Auckland Chinese Community Centre Inc]( for more than 30 years, it now attracts about 20,000 people. The free event opens at 9.30am Saturday with a dragon and lion dance and will feature 200 stalls offering Chinese food, traditional arts and crafts and martial arts displays. [Click here]( for Stuff Pix competition terms and conditions. Did a friend forward this to you? [Sign up to get Your 09 to your inbox]( [Unsubscribe]( [Newsletter Settings]( [Privacy Policy]( [Advertise]( [Feedback](