The city‘s historic precinct facing out onto the harbour is enjoying a rebirth, with blocks of beautifully restored heritage buildings around the Britomart standing out among new developments. There is designer clothing, eclectic furniture and homewares, a bike shop and plenty of choices to linger over a coffee.

Andrew Jack Entrican came to New Zealand in 1880 from Ireland and worked in the retail grocery trade. He and his brother James, who was also a grocer, built the Entrican warehouse with administration and produce on the ground floor, patent medicines and a "fancy" department on the first floor, and space for packing butter and cheese for shipping overseas.

Now called Australis House, it is one of the buildings being restored as part of the redevelopment of the Britomart precinct.

Elliott Stables, tucked away in the former head office of an insurance company on Elliott Street, rekindles the character of a gracious era. Very little has changed on the building‘s exterior, but the interior has been transformed into apartments and a stylish, welcoming epicurean marketplace with wooden furniture and cobblestone floors.

Specialist artisans sell organic meat, cheese, wine, cakes, liqueurs and whisky, while diners can choose between Spanish tapas, French crepes, Italian bruschetta, German sausages, cafes with freshly ground coffee or a cup of nourishing tea.

Queen Street is Auckland‘s main thoroughfare, and some top international brands, including jewellers, accessories and fashion houses, make it their New Zealand showplace. On the other side of Queen Street, the Chancery is the leading light in Auckland‘s central city fashion district. This is international shopping normally only expected in established fashion capitals like Paris, Milan and New York. The sunny plaza has an eclectic range of beauty, cuisine and giftware boutiques and al fresco cafes.

But the inner city neighbourhood of Newmarket is the recognised fashion capital of New Zealand. Two premier shopping malls with many of the best popular labels anchor the precinct, while Broadway and its side­streets, particularly Teed Street and Nuffield Street, are lined with international and local designers who offer shopping as diverse as in any cosmopolitan city.

Several of New Zealand‘s leading designers, including Karen Walker, Trelise Cooper and Kate Sylvester, have boutiques in Newmarket, and exclusive international brands are also well represented. Newmarket also has the highest concentration of shoe stores in the country. At the roundabout end a cluster of over 15 interior businesses offer a full range of furniture, fabrics, accessories, paints and kitchen design.

Auckland has plenty of stylish events happening over the summer. The city‘s only Seafood Festival has rows of stalls selling delicious local fish, shrimp, shellfish and other seafood, along with plenty of family entertainment and thirst­quenching local and international wines. Surfcasting competitions and cooking demonstrations add further appeal.

The festival is held from January 30 to February 1 at Halsey Street Wharf on the Viaduct Harbour, close by the sights and sounds of the local fishing fleet and fish market.

Balmy evenings and the spacious lawns and mature trees of Albert Park provide a perfect combination for the Auckland Lantern Festival from February 26 to 28. One of the city‘s most popular summer events, the festival brings Chinese New Year celebrations to a glowing finale with hundreds of beautiful lanterns, including new designs from China, along with performers from New Zealand and overseas, crafts, fortunetelling, fireworks, food stalls and martial arts displays.

On the sporting front, the ASB Classic is the country‘s richest professional women‘s sporting event. There is sunshine, strawberries, action and glamour as the best New Zealand tennis players compete with many big international names from January 4 to 9 at the ASB Bank Tennis Centre. The world‘s number one doubles team, Zimbabwe‘s Cara Black and American Liezel Huber, are expected to be a big attraction and Russian Elena Vesnina is returning.

Two days later it‘s the men‘s turn, with The Heineken Open Men‘s International from January 11 to 16. Nineteen players are ranked in the world‘s top 40, with Spaniards Tommy Robredo, David Ferrer, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Nicolas Almagro taking out the four top seed placings. The two tournaments bring a fortnight of truly international tennis to Auckland, as many players prepare for the Australian Open in Melbourne, which takes place shortly afterward.

The Auckland International Boat Show will again be held in the heart of Auckland City in the magnificent Viaduct Harbour from March 11 to 14. Developed as the base for the 2000 and 2003 America‘s Cups, the Viaduct now provides an ideal sheltered haven to display a huge range of yachts and launches at the special floating marina, including a fleet of historic vessels. All the latest marine engines, electronics and accessories will again be on display, while the surrounding restaurants, bars, bistros and world­class hotels will again be packed with people enjoying the spectacle.

This year will be particularly exciting, as the International Boat Show is being held in conjunction with the Louis Vuitton Trophy Regatta, when the top America‘s Cup crews will compete in two identical yachts for the New Zealand round.

It should be the biggest maritime event in Auckland since the 30th and 31st America‘s Cups and will be preceded by a one­day superyacht race on March 4 to Kawau Island, 25 nautical miles north of Auckland. Up to 10 superyachts are expected to enter, along with several of Auckland‘s impressive classic yachts.

It is proof, if any should be needed, that Auckland‘s blend of islands, glistening harbours and a modern city is consistently ranked among the best in the world for its lifestyle. Maori knew they were in a good place as well, for their name for Auckland is Tamaki Makau Rau, or "Maiden with 100 lovers".

Anyone who wants to can try their hand at sailing on one of two 1995 America‘s Cup yachts around the harbour. No experience is necessary, but bring a hands­on attitude, as part of the fun is helping to raise the sails. You will experience the thrill of the pre­start and help the crew plan a strategy to be first over the finishing line.

Numerous other operators take boats out to the Hauraki Gulf to fish, snorkel,or view dolphins and whales. Visitors can also explore the Waitemata Harbour and the islands of the Hauraki Gulf in their own time, with one company offering three stops a day at Torpedo Bay (for Devonport, North Head and the Naval Base) Rangitoto Island, Motuihe Island and Orakei Wharf.

Other tours are available to enjoy kite fishing, spearing flounder, fishing from kayaks, overnight kayaking adventures, guided wilderness walks and Maori cultural experiences.

It just goes to show there‘s no need for anyone to head out of the city over the summer holiday break, as there are always plenty of stylish choices for Aucklanders and overseas visitors to make about what to do.