We had a really great stay at Gretchen's house with our infant son. Beautiful area and I wouldn't stay anywhere else in Auckland other than Ponsonby. Loads of shops and restaurants, very walkable, close enough to CBD and the the harbour. Gretchen's house was beautiful and spacious, has a great deck out back and was close enough to the main drag to easily walk back and forth but totally quiet and calm at her house. Would highly recommend!