This was a very good place for my needs. I wanted a place that I could work with a colleague after a workshop to compile information and this was my primary reason for the stay. However, I also wanted to enjoy Auckland after work time and on my one day off and the location made it possible to do so; not a long bus ride to town and also it was easy to catch a cab both ways. On the last day I discovered I could also walk to the Mt Eden shops and restaurants hub - a nice area indeed at the foothills of an urban hilly park. The host family was fantastic and very nice people. I had everything I needed there in a quiet environment with birds singing in the garden and plenty of food in the kitchen on arrival (thank you!).