By Martin Knight
There are a number of great places to play squash in Auckland and New Zealand. I live on the North Shore and would definitely recommend my home club, North Shore Squash Club, as a perfect place to start.
Auckland is very multi-cultural—I like the feel and vibe. It is also built on a harbor and you are never too far from the beach.
I play snooker at the Ponsonby Pool Hall; they mostly have pool tables, but they have a private room with a snooker table in it and you can order a few drinks and stay there with friends. If I am going out with some mates for a drink, I just head into Auckland and see what happens.
I am always telling people to check out a fantastic Italian restaurant called A Little Italy in downtown Auckland. I think we are pretty lucky for coffee shops in NZ. I like the cafes near Takapuna Beach—you can sit outside on a good day or take it to go and have a walk around.
I think New Zealand has many secrets. We have city life with cafes, bars and restaurants; we have the beach; we have mountains and forests. You can escape into isolation or stay close to the action. I have done the Tongariro Crossing, which is a famous walk in Tongariro National Park. It is just under twenty kilometers and takes six hours or so. It is an excellent day hike on a good day: hot springs, volcanoes, alpine views.
Summertime in NZ is my favorite time of year. It means that I am taking a breakfrom squash. I come home and spend time with friends and family, generally relax and enjoy myself. I like to go to the beach, but my favorite tradition is going to Lake Taupo with my family over Christmas. Even then, I find it hard to relax on my days off. I hope to catch up with some friends and go out for lunch or dinner, but I usually keep one eye on planning my training for the following day.
