Best fish and chips in the Waikato

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The Waikato’s best fish and chips can be found in Cambridge, only a 20-minute drive from Hamilton. They are made by a team of fryers led by two qualified chefs who won for Cambridge’s Queen Vic Chipping the regional title for Best Chip Shop at their first attempt.

To help identify the best fish and chips in New Zealand, we’ve drawn on many sources including which fryers have taken awards at the national Best Chip Shop competitions. These awards have run since 2006 and are a useful guide to identifying the best in the country and in each region.

Our guide to the best fish and chips in the Waikato includes the following recommendations:

Top choice

Queen Vic Chippy

85c Victoria Street, Cambridge, Waikato

Having opened only in 2013, this English-style fish and chip shop uses qualified chefs and offers gluten-free options. They pack their takeaways in cardboard boxes and, yes, they serve mushy peas. Regional winner of the Best Chip Shop competition in 2013.

Next best (not in order)

Seafood Bazaar 

Rototuna Shopping Centre, 44 Horsham Downs Road, Rototuna, Hamilton

Extensive menu and part of one of Hamilton’s newest shopping centres. Highly commended in the regional Best Chip Shop competition for 2013.

Happy Snapper ‘n’ Chips 

113 Tirau Street, Putaruru, South Waikato

Known for its large portions (and king-sized gourmet burgers). Highly commended in the regional Best Chip Shop competition for 2013.

Horotiu Food Centre 

6195 Great South Rd, Horotiu, Waikato

A short distance north of Hamilton, this doubles as a convenience store. Highly commended in the regional Best Chip Shop competition for 2013.

DK’s Burger Bar

72 Broadway, Matamata

As the name suggests, DK’s are known for their burgers which include a bumper-sized fish burger (made with snapper when available). Highly commended in the regional Best Chip Shop competition for 2013.

Our guide to the best fish and chip shops in New Zealand

Northland & Far North Ι Auckland’s North Shore Ι Auckland Ι Waikato Ι Coromandel Ι Tauranga Ι Rotorua Ι Taupo Ι Hawkes Bay Ι Manawatu Ι Taranaki Ι Wellington Ι Nelson Ι Blenheim Ι Christchurch Ι South Canterbury Ι Otago Ι Southland

Best fish and chips in Auckland

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Competition is keen in Auckland to claim the title of the city’s best fish and chip shop. 

To help identify the best fish and chips in New Zealand, we’ve drawn on many sources including which fryers have taken awards at the national Best Chip Shop competitions. These awards have run since 2006 and are a useful guide to identifying the best in the country and in each region.

Our guide to the best fish and chips in Auckland includes the following:

Top choice

Greenwoods Fresh Catch

1 Pah Road, Greenwoods Corner, Epsom, Auckland

Owners Thomas and Lilian Sug opened in Greenwoods Corner after previously running an award-winning takeaway in Papakura, South Auckland. They source their fresh fish from Seamart and serve their chips in cardboard boxes to keep them fluffy on the inside but crisp on the outside. Auckland regional winners of the Best Chip Shop award in 2013.

Next best (not in order)

Fish Pot Café 

99b Takaki Drive, Mission Bay, East Auckland

This takeaway/sit-in restaurant has long been a fixture beside the popular beach at Mission Bay. Either take your paper-wrapped fish and chips across to the beach (guard them from the gulls!) or eat in the restaurant section (be warned: the in-house prices are significantly higher than for takeaways).

Westgate Takeaways

579 Don Buck Rd, Massey North, West Auckland

A finalist in the Auckland regional Best Chip Shop award in 2010, this legendary West Auckland takeaway was highly recommended in the 2011 and 2013 competitions. Known for its large portions.

Fish Stop

4 Glendale Road, Glen Eden, West Auckland

Part of the Glenmall Shopping Centre, Fish Stop were highly commended in the 2013 Best Chip Shop awards and joint winners of the Auckland regional Best Chip Shop in 2011. Includes gluten-free options.

Panmure Fish & Chips 

21 Queens Rd, Panmure, Auckland

Highly commended in the 2013 Best Chip Shop awards. They fillet daily fresh gurnard, tarakihi and snapper, and use vegetable oil.

Oceanz Seafood Auckland Fishmarket 

22 Jellioce St, Westhaven, Auckland Central

Part of the successful and award-winning Oceanz chain, this outlet was highly commended in the 2013 Best Chip Shop awards.

LJS Sylvia Park

Sylvia Park Shopping Centre, 286 Mt Wellington Highway, Mt Wellington, Auckland

Don’t turn up your nose at this fryer because it’s part of a food court at a major shopping centre. They do the basics right, enough so to be highly commended in the 2013 Best Chip Shop awards.

Kohi Fresh Fish & Takeaways 

41 Melanesia Road, Kohimarama, East Auckland

Highly commended in the 2013 Best Chip Shop awards.

Special mention

Three outlets operating under The Fish and Chip Shop name have taken various awards including Viva Magazine’s 2013 Takeout Awards, the Best of Metro 2012 and 2011. They fry fresh fish simply and well in crispy batter, or pan-fried with flour or panko breadcrumbs.

The Fish and Chip Shop – Sandringham

160 Sandringham Road, Auckland

The Fish and Chip Shop – Westmere

127 West End Rd, Westmere, Auckland

The Fish and Chip Shop – Epsom

83 Great South Rd, Epsom, Auckland

Alternative list

Auckland Now published its “five of the best” fish and chip shops in December 2016:

Central Auckland: Newton Fish and Chippery, Grey Lynn

Central Auckland: Mt Eden Village Fish Shop, Mt Eden

North Shore/Rodney: Drunken Crayfish, Whangaparaoa

West Auckland: Westgate Takeaways, Massey (see above)

East Auckland: Fish Pot Cafe, Mission Bay (see above)

Our guide to the best fish and chip shops in New Zealand

Northland & Far North Ι Auckland’s North Shore Ι Auckland Ι Waikato Ι Coromandel Ι Tauranga Ι Rotorua Ι Taupo Ι Hawkes Bay Ι Manawatu Ι Taranaki Ι Wellington Ι Nelson Ι Blenheim Ι Christchurch Ι South Canterbury Ι Otago Ι Southland

The 100 most trusted people in New Zealand

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New Zealand’s most trusted person is former All Black and spokesman for depression awareness, Sir John Kirwan.

The rugby legend’s status was confirmed by Reader’s Digest’s reader poll to determine who Kiwis trust the most.

The 100 most trusted people in New Zealand

1. John Kirwan, former All Black, depression awareness spokesperson (pictured)
2. Willie Apiata, Victoria Cross recipient
3. Richie McCaw, All Blacks’ captain
4. Alison Holst, food writer
5. Judy Bailey, TV presenter, charity worker
6. Peter Leitch, businessman, charity worker
7. Peter Snell, former athlete, scientist
8. Jerry Mateparae, Governor-General
9. Kevin Milne, former TV host, consumer advocate
10. Sarah Ulmer, cyclist
11. Jim Hickey, TV weather presenter
12. Valerie Adams (née Vili), shot-putter
13. Dan Carter, All Black
14. Nigel Latta, psychologist, TV personality
15. Colin Meads, former All Black
16. Mahé Drysdale, rower
17. Susan Devoy, Race Relations Commissioner
18. Peter Jackson, director
19. Jo Seagar, chef
20. Sian Elias, Chief Justice
21. John Walker, former athlete
22. Sam Johnson, leader of Student Volunteer Army
23. Ian Grant, parenting and relationships expert
24. Lisa Carrington, rower
25. Hayley Westenra, singer
26. Richard Hadlee, former cricketer
27. Anne Salmond, writer, environmentalist and 2013 New Zealander of the Year
28. Annabel Langbein, cookbook author, TV personality
29. Brian Lochore, former All Black player and coach
30. Graham Henry, former All Blacks’ coach
31. Mike McRoberts, TV journalist
32. John Campbell, TV journalist
33. Neil Finn, singer/songwriter
34. Brad Thorn, All Black
35. Dave Dobbyn, musician
36. Pippa Wetzell, TV presenter
37. Stephen Tindall, retail businessman
38. Simon Dallow, TV presenter
39. Greg Murphy, race car driver
40. Paul Callaghan, physicist
41. Simon Barnett, TV and radio personality
42. Peter Gluckman, scientist
43. Rhys Darby, actor, comedian
44. Garth McVicar, Sensible Sentencing Trust spokesperson
45. Jim Mora, radio personality
46. Kiri Te Kanawa, opera singer
47. Te Radar, comedian, TV personality
48. The Topp Twins, entertainers
49. Simon Gault, chef
50. Scott Dixon, IndyCar driver
51. Maggie Barry, TV personality and MP
52. Jemaine Clement, comedian, musician
53. Tim Shadbolt, Mayor of Invercargill
54. Peta Mathias, chef, author
55. Peter Marshall, Police Commissioner
56. Bob Parker, Mayor of Christchurch
57. Helen Clark, former Prime Minister
58. Maurice Gee, author
59. Bret McKenzie, comedian, musician
60. Robyn Malcolm, actor
61. Jonah Lomu, former All Black
62. Alan Bollard, APEC executive director, former Reserve Bank governor
63. Rosie Horton, philanthropist
64. Leighton Smith, radio personality
65. Mary Holm, financial writer and newspaper columnist
66. Tony Kokshoorn, Mayor of Grey District
67. John Graham, former All- Black, educator
68. Richard Taylor, Weta Workshop co-founder
69. Ruben Wiki, former rugby league player
70. Grant Kereama, radio host
71. Lucy Lawless, actor, environmentalist
72. Marcus Lush, TV and radio personality
73. Stephen Donald, All Black
74. Chris Cairns, former cricketer
75. Kim Hill, radio journalist
76. Mai Chen, lawyer and writer
77. Anika Moa, singer
78. Lockwood Smith, High Commissioner of NZ to UK
79. Alan Gibbs, entrepreneur
80. John Key, Prime Minister
81. Gareth Morgan, businessman, philanthropist
82. Billy Graham, motivational speaker
83. Russel Norman, Green Party co-leader
84. Graeme Hart, businessman
85. James Wallace, businessman, philanthropist
86. Bob Jones, businessman
87. David Shearer, Labour Party leader
88. Len Brown, Mayor of Auckland
89. Metiria Turei, Green Party co-leader
90. Pita Sharples, Minister of Maori Affairs
91. Sonny Bill Williams, rugby league player, former All Black
92. Matt McCarten, trade unionist, politician
93. Tariana Turia, Maori Party co-leader
94. Michael Fay, businessman
95. Gerry Brownlee, Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery
96. Michael Laws, former Mayor of Wanganui
97. Winston Peters, New Zealand First leader
98. Kim Dotcom, internet entrepreneur
99. John Banks, politician, former Mayor of Auckland
100. Hone Harawira, Mana Party leader

Source: Readers Digest poll 2013

New Zealand’s ‘most thrilling’ airport landing

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Queenstown’s airport has been included in a list of the world’s 10 most thrilling places to land.

It’s the only New Zealand airport to make the list compiled by Traveller.com.au who say pilots have to make a precision approach with flap adjustments to allow for the contours of the mountain ranges that line the approach to the runway.

The approach is over Lake Hayes and into the Kawarau River valley, below the peaks of surrounding mountains.  Strong downdraughts, regular low-lying mists and a relatively short runway ensure pilots have to concentrate.

While the terrain, approach and stunning scenery combine to provide passengers with an exciting landing, the Queenstown Airport has an excellent safety record.

The world’s top 10 landings for thrill seekers

1. Paro, Bhutan

2. Lukla, Nepal

3. Quito, Ecuador

4. Leh, India

5. Toncontin, Honduras

6. Madeira, Portugal

7. QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND

8.  Barra, Scotland

9. Courcheval, France

10. Matekane, Lesotho

Source: Traveller.com.au, January 2017

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