Street smart: Interesting streets in New Zealand to explore

It felt like it took its time but spring is finally here, with warmer weather, crisp sunny days and spectacular displays of spring flowers blooming. The change in weather also means one thing – it’s time for road trips. No matter where your spring destination, Aotearoa has plenty to offer beyond landscape.

As the saying goes, “Happiness is a journey, not a destination”. The streets, neighbourhoods and landscape are a rich source of local stories spicing up your adventure more than you may realise. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some top picks of interesting, iconic streets that make New Zealand come alive.

Karangahape Road, Auckland

Source: Timeout

Karangahape Road, or just ‘K’Road’ as most Aucklanders affectionately call it, was popular long before it was named as the sixth coolest street in the world, beating contenders in Tokyo, Athens, Berlin and San Francisco. K’Road is full of character developed via its ups and downs over the course of history. Before European settlers arrived, it was an important travel route for Māori in the 1800s. When trade declined in the 1970s, one of Auckland’s busiest shopping strips became a red-light district, only to be revitalised when new apartments were built in the early 2000s.

Today, K’Road is a colourful creative hub thrumming with alternative lifestyles. Many things have changed, but it remains the street that never sleeps. From unique cafes and restaurants, quirky retailers, impressive murals to all kinds of clubs and street performances, K’Road is a favourite stopover for locals and visitors alike. Fun fact: A windmill used to stand tall and proud here for over a century before being taken down in 1950.

South Street, Nelson

Source: Nelson Tasman.nz

Known as New Zealand’s oldest fully preserved street, South Street is home to little cottages, the oldest one dating back to the 1860s. Nowadays, South Street is recognised as a Heritage Precinct, meaning any modification to houses or new buildings must keep with the character of the street. Originally built for local tradesmen, these gorgeous Victorian cottages are lovingly restored, some have even become holiday accommodation – take note, they’re solid options for your next trip. If you’re in Nelson, don’t miss out on seeing a part of Nelson’s unique history. Take a stroll along the cobblestone footpaths of South Street, breathe in its historic charm, and have your camera ready.

Baldwin Street, Dunedin

Source: Guiness World Records

If you’re in the South Island and interested in a good leg work out, look no further. Officially named as the steepest residential street in the word according to Guinness World Records, Baldwin Street has a slope of 19 degrees and 35 percent gradient, roughly 7 percent higher than the first runner-up, Ffordd Pen Llech in Wales. It is not only a tourist attraction but was also a hotly debated topic when Guinness World Records striped its title and crowned the winding street in Wales instead in 2019. With Baldwin Street holding the record for more than a decade, its representatives assembled an appeals team and travelled 19,000km to Wales for measurement, hoping to overturn the result. Their efforts paid off as Guinness was convinced and rightfully returned the title to New Zealand in 2020.

Leith Place, Tokoroa

Source: Adobo

To most people, Leith Place seems a pretty unassuming street. But did you know this is where you can find the best public loo in New Zealand, according to the 2021 Keep New Zealand Beautiful Award? Judged as ‘Best Loo’ in February this year, the Leith Place toilets in the Tokoroa CBD won as the judges took into thorough consideration of the location, facilities, cleanliness, interior, exterior and surrounding environment. The award-winning Leith Place toilet building consists of five individual toilets, marking out the Southern Cross star constellation, which is a popular navigation tool of Māori, Pasifika and early European explorers.

New Regent Street, Christchurch

Source: Trip Advisor

There is no shortage of fascinating facts about this colourful, Spanish Mission style street. Constantly named as the most beautiful street in New Zealand, but with its historic significance, New Regent Street is more than meets the eye. In 1930s, the concept of an entire street filled with 40 small boutiques built in a coherent architectural style was rather unusual. When the street first opened, it was the home of many female-owned businesses, which went against the grain at that time.

A ray of hope in the Depression era, New Regent Street witnesses how retail practice has transformed over 90 years. It became a public road after World War II, and later a pedestrian mall in 1994. The street survived the 2011 earthquake, making it the only remaining heritage streetscape in Christchurch. In modern-day Christchurch, New Regent Street continues to be a link between past and present with all the charm of a bygone era. ​