Zeenat Wilkinson is an Auckland-based stylist, producer, and founder of Sauce – the platform that’s been championing diverse voices across fashion, beauty, and design since she brought her London and Mumbai-honed eye to Aotearoa in 2012.
We asked Zeenat for her guide to experiencing Auckland at its best, across art, hospitality, and culture.
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Caretaker, Photo: Chad Konik
After a day of exploring the Aotearoa Art Fair, where would you go for dinner and drinks to continue the evening?
If I’m with a group of friends, I love going to Caretaker. After meeting so many people and taking in so much art, it’s the perfect environment. You don’t have to make any decisions, just trust the bartenders and lead with feeling. You also can’t go wrong with a big bowl of pasta at Amano, especially if the evening calls for something comforting yet lively. For a more intimate night, dinner at Gemmayze St always feels special.
Artspace Aotearoa, After the Undercurrents – Gordon Bennett and Emily Karaka
What exhibitions coincide with the Aotearoa Art Fair that you recommend to someone visiting the city?
During the fair, there’s always a strong wave of satellite shows around Auckland that mirror its creative energy. At Artspace Aotearoa, After the Undercurrents brings together Gordon Bennett and Emily Karaka. Te Uru in Titirangi is showcasing works by Ammon Ngakuru and Kahurangiariki Smith, both of whom explore themes of place, storytelling, and belonging in distinct ways. Over at Two Rooms, Tira Walsh’s New Level is worth seeing — bold, emotional, and textured, it captures the rhythm of contemporary painting in Aotearoa right now.
Blue on Tāmaki
If you have friends visiting from outside of town, what are you adding to their itinerary?
Breakfast at Blue on Tāmaki and a slow stroll from Ponsonby all the way to Karangahape Road. It’s a walk that really captures the feel of the city – a bit urban, a bit gritty, full of small discoveries. The park near the Auckland Art Gallery is one of my favourite quiet spots. Grab a sandwich from Remedy Coffee or Scarecrow and sit by the fountain. If time allows, take the ferry to Waiheke and have lunch at Tantalus or Casita Miro; it always feels like the perfect exhale after a busy few days.
The Lighthouse, Michael Parekowhai
Do you have a favourite public art installation or mural in the city? What makes it special?
Michael Parekowhai’s The Lighthouse on Queens Wharf always pulls me in. It’s quietly monumental, both intimate and public.
Föenander Galleries
A gallery, studio or space that shouldn’t be missed right now?
Gow Langsford Gallery is a staple; they consistently ground the city’s art scene and bring important conversations to the forefront. Objectspace is unmissable for how it bridges design, craft, and art with real thoughtfulness. Föenander Galleries in Parnell has such a welcoming energy, Elle Föenander has an instinctive approach to artists and curation that makes every visit feel personal.
A hidden gem?
There’s a small second-hand bookshop on Ponsonby Road that I absolutely adore. It’s easy to miss, but you can find rare design and photography books tucked between shelves that feel like they’ve travelled through other creative hands. Time slows down there.
Artspace Aotearoa, After the Undercurrents – Gordon Bennett and Emily Karaka
Föenander Galleries
Föenander Galleries
