Auckland Public Libraries

Auckland has a good network of public libraries with comfortable facilities to enjoy reading, writing or web surfing.  Many have internet available and unlike in other cities around the world they are not filled with unbathed, sleeping or drunk homeless.  Depending on where you are situated in Auckland you can use the below links to find one nearest you.  If you are in the central city then you can choose from the main Auckland Central libray or the University of Auckland library (the later with excellent views from the top floors).   

http://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/EN/Pages/home.aspx
http://www.aucklandcitylibraries.com/

Mrs Higgins Cookies

A New Zealand fresh cookie franchise these are definitely worth a try.  Reasonably priced and there is one on 268 Queen Street (imagine yourself flying through the air smelling them like in a Disney cartoon).  Enough Said.

http://www.mrshiggins.co.nz/index.php

Auckland Art Gallery

At this time the gallery is about to reopen to the public on 3 September after a few years of renovation.  The building itself looks quite spectacular now and it houses an impressive art collection (given we are talking about New Zealand).  It is free to the public and when it does reopen I would recommend checking out the famous Goldie and Lindaur portraits of Maori figures. You can tie it together with a stroll through Albert Park and The University of Auckland for a pleasant few hours.  More information available in the below link:

http://www.aucklandartgallery.com/

Avondale Sunday Market

This is another of Auckland's better and bigger markets.  It is held in the Avondale Racetrack so there is usually parking available but it is very popular so often crowded.  If you need to buy some fresh produce, seafood, tofu, snacks, deserts, honey or shrubs then head here.  The variety of produce available is much greater than what you will find in your average supermarket and caters especially to Asian and Pacific Island cooking.  You will also find your usual trinket/snake oil merchants and second hand dealers but if I wasn't going there for the produce I would probably just go for the atmosphere.

http://www.avondalesundaymarkets.co.nz/

Grafton Bridge & Cemetery

Located at the top of Symonds street, the historic Grafton Bridge was constructed in 1910 and is very picturesque.  If you are wondering what the curved glass on the side is for well yes it is to prevent people jumping off the bridge onto the motorway traffic below as was unfortunately a common occurrence in the past.  The bridge connects Auckland Hospital with Auckland Central so whether this is a factor behind the suicides I'm not sure.  But it is somewhat bleakly ironic that underneath the bridge is Auckland's most interesting and significant cemetery.  On land that must now be worth a fortune you will find a Goth's heaven (or hell I suppose) with many interesting gravestones dating back to the 1800s in a dark gully that has a few winding paths.  There are also memorials to war dead and famous historic figures.  I wouldn't recommend being in there at night simply because of the homeless/drunks/paint sniffers rather than any ghosts or zombies.  Worth checking out if you are near the top of the city and looking for something to do.

http://www.rosarosam.com/gardens/grafton/grafton_index.htm