When I am in Auckland, I always stay with Ian and Heather at Blockhouse Bay. Their home is so comfortable! You get the whole downstairs to yourself: a cozy bedroom, a roomy bathroom and a sitting room with a couch, table, microwave and fridge. The sitting room opens onto the patio, so you can sit outside if you like.
Blockhouse Bay is a charming area. There are several great places to eat just steps away (Mt. Everest Cafe for yummy Nepalese and Indian food and Barefoot in the Bay for excellent coffee; if you get a coffee, please tell Emily I said hello!). There is a grocery store a short walk away, as is the liquor store.
It’s a historical area as well; as a matter of fact, Ian and Heather’s house sits right where the original blockhouse once stood. If you are in Blockhouse Bay on a Tuesday, the museum is open. The beach is lovely; it’s a fairly steep walk down, but not too far and definitely worth it.
All in all, it’s a #1 place to stay!