A survey of over 20,000 people has seen one of Auckland’s most popular spots voted as the sixth coolest street in the world.
The famously infamous Karangahape Road in Auckland’s CBD came in at number six on TimeOut’s list of ‘The 33 Coolest Streets in the World’, the only New Zealand street to make the list.
Anyone in Auckland can tell you that K-Road has a colourful reputation. Over the years it's raised some eyebrows, turned some heads, and led to pearls being clutched. But it is undoubtedly an iconic part of Auckland.
Timeout call K-Road a busy, artsy street with lots of stuff going on, cool clothing stores, great feeds, and a mix of characters.
“Karangahape Road is the city’s bohemian heart and the home of a diverse and expressive community of artists, musicians, and creatives,” they wrote of the street.
“Its red-light history, coupled with more recent additions of art galleries and hip cafés in its heritage buildings, gives it plenty of character: every door leads to something very different.”
“Gay clubs, speakeasy-style bars and cabarets sit alongside thrift stores, secondhand book shops and independent record stores.”
“Adding further flourishes of colour are the street murals adorning the walls of parking lots and the steps of the historic St Kevins Arcade.”
When I stop and think about it, maybe K-Road is a deserving New Zealand representative on a list of coolest streets. It’s been through some ups and downs, just like all of us.
It has a chequered, complex history, but it soldiers on, with hope for the future - a true inspiration.
It’s always been a bastion for the downtrodden and 'out-there' types that society may shun. Allowing all characters from around the city, and the country, to come and just have a ball of a time is what K-Road is all about.
Nowadays there are snazzy places to eat and more boujee clothes you can buy, and there’s a pumping nightlife there, with different kinds of clubs ready to be explored - what more could you want in a street?
