Karangahape Road

Karangahape Road stretches about half a mile through central Auckland and features a diverse mix of vintage shops, cafes, bars, art galleries, and cultural venues that attract residents and visitors exploring the city's alternative scene.

The name Karangahape originates from Māori legend involving the mystic Hape who arrived on a stingray, and the ridge served as an important Māori pathway for over 600 years before European settlers developed it into a commercial thoroughfare in the late 19th century.

The street has been a vital hub for the LGBTQ+ community since the 1980s and regularly hosts cultural events, street festivals, and art markets that celebrate local creativity and multicultural influences throughout Auckland.

Visitors can reach Karangahape Road easily using Auckland's public buses and trains, and the compact area is highly walkable, making it convenient to explore the various shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues on foot.

Karangahape Road is one of the few streets in Auckland where early 20th-century architecture coexists with contemporary buildings like the internationally recognized Ironbank, creating a distinctive blend of historical and modern urban design along a single corridor.