My Auckland – Editor

“To celebrate Auckland’s 175th year, Auckland Museum brings you a special home-grown exhibition about the city – Taku Tamaki – Auckland Stories. As part of the exhibition they are collecting stories from the public about their memories and experiences of Auckland. Our Editor shares her story below, share yours at http://woobox.com/y6tkgy for your chance to win an exclusive after hours experience at the museum.”

I love that Auckland is a wide selection of diverse communities, connected to present the opportunities one expects in a world class city.

I live daily in Mt Albert, a small town within the city, where I know many of the faces in the neighbouring streets, where the rope swings hanging from trees on grass verges are still used by children every day to and from school, and the spirit of community is very much alive and well. In my part of Auckland, I am always greeted with a familiar smile at the local shops, and there are wonderful people who look out for each other and rally around to help frequently. It felt like home from the day I moved here.

There is virtually everything I need nearby, but when I need world class sport, culture, food and the outdoors, I only need to travel a short distance in this great city to experience it.

Visitors to Auckland often chuckle when I say I live in a small community, but once they are here, they see. It’s not for me, the long commute. I plan carefully to work around the challenges of a large population, I’d rather accentuate the positive.

For quiet, my favourite place to walk is to the top of Mt Eden. I love the sound of the long grass, the companionable smiles of other active souls (yes, I wholeheartedly agree there should be no vehicles up there!), and the raw beauty.

Half way up on the left, is a symbol that I always consider to be one of the most hopeful things I have ever seen – a majestic pohutukawa, far older than you or me, that was struck by lightning many years ago. Instead of dying completely, or falling apart, this beautiful tree split dramatically in two and continues to grow and flourish. Every time I walk past it, I stop and remember that no matter what life throws at you – there is always a way to continue.

Read thoughts from 3 other GrownUps columnists…
David Hartnell, Lyn Potter & Dr Allison Lamont.

Taku Tāmaki – Auckland Stories at Auckland Museum

Share your story for the chance to win!
Share your own story, and picture if you have one, about Auckland and be in to WIN an exclusive after-hours guided tour with one of our curators, followed by a private dinner at the museum for you and 3 friends!

Enter here 
Entries close 5pm Monday 14th September 2015 and are subject to the official rules.

About the exhibition: 
As Auckland marks its 175th year, this special home-grown exhibition invites you to become explorers of the city. Full of inspiring and curious things to see and do, you’ll discover what the city is about, what shaped it and where it might be headed.

Highlights include never-before-seen collection items and images, an interactive game that allows you to connect the dots as a museum curator, and a nostalgic journey back to a 1980s’ dairy.

Check out Peter Madden’s stunning art installation, watch a selection of fun films, and a display which honours heroes of our city.

Exhibition open daily until Sunday 18th October 2015 in the Auckland Museum Special Exhibitions Hall. 
Free entry for Auckland residents.