Environment Climate Action

Chill tactics

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2 February 2026

Ten top tips to keep cool through Auckland's changing heat

By the end of this century – when the 20-somethings among us are nearing 100 – Auckland could be getting 90 days above 25°C. That’s three whole months of hot hot hot. Right now we get around 20 days over 25°C. A warmer future might not sound bad, who doesn’t like a mild winter or a golden summer? But… extreme heat can be hard to handle. Heat is also really hard on kids and people with existing physical and mental health conditions, elders, people who live in housing not built for these conditions, and people who work outside.

That’s a lot of us! So, as we enter the hottest month of summer and head back to work and school, here’s ten local tricks to beat Auckland’s changing heat.

1 Karanga Plaza Pool

Phat manus, chill vibes

Nothing says Auckland summer like launching into the harbour with a huge splash and a huger grin. Karanga Plaza’s new saltwater pool is your inner city answer to the ever-increasing heat. It’s free, refreshing and full of fans. Whether you're perfecting your gorilla off the platform or just floating around, this spot is pure joy. It’s open during daylight hours (dawn to dusk), and comes with four 33m swim lanes, cold showers, changing rooms and summertime life guards.

Learn more

2 Concrete Jungle?

Get off the (heat) island

Ever notice how much worse a hot day feels when you’re in the city? That’s not you being dramatic – it’s the urban heat island effect. Hard surfaces like concrete, stone and glass absorb and trap heat during the day, then release it slowly at night, keeping the CBD much hotter than it could be. Trees and green spaces are nature’s AC – reflecting sunlight, filtering air, sucking down the CO2 and breathing out clean oxygen, creating safer, cooler microclimates for everyone. Whether it’s Albert Park, Puhinui Domain, Te Pai Park or your favourite secret green spot, these sweat-free spaces are magic in the madness. Our parks are not nice-to-haves – they’re essential. Along with our urban ngāhere, they play a huge role in helping Auckland handle the heat (as well as the rain, but that’s another story).

3 Keepin’ it chill

Home hacks to stay cool, calm and collected

Feel like you’re living in a slow cooker? A few low-fi hacks can help. Clean your fan blades and set up fans opposite open windows for a breezy cross-flow. Black-out blinds are your best friend, and if you’ve got windows on both sides of your place, crack ’em open! Ceiling fan? Make sure it’s spinning counter-clockwise. Big houseplants near windows help absorb heat and release moisture. Skip the oven and unplug electronics: even chargers and lamps add heat. Got AC? It’s cheaper to run it steadily than to switch it on and off. And if you’re renting, Healthy Homes standards say your place should stay under 24°C. Have a chat with your landlord if it’s not.

4 Cultural cool down

Escape the heat in Auckland’s art galleries

If you're craving shade and stimulation, Auckland’s art galleries offer the perfect cultural cool-down. Step into the air-conditioned calm of the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Te Tuhi, Te Uru Waitākere Contemporary Gallery or Objectspace, and you'll find more than relief from the heat – pick up ideas, inspiration and a fresh perspective on the world. From contemporary installations to historic Māori or Tagata Moana works, galleries invite you to slow down and breathe freely. Many are free or ask a koha for entry. There's quiet nooks to rest in an most have spaces for kids where they can be noisy, messy and safe.

Learn more

5 Chill at the mall

Cold air on tap

When the sun's blazing and your back’s sticking to the vinyl lounge suite, Auckland’s malls become magical oases. Think endless AC, shiny clean floors, and wide open spaces where you can cruise with the crew, sip something cold and catch the latest styles. Whether you choose Sylvia Park, Newmarket, or hiding out at WestCity, malls offer maximum cool with zero pressure to spend. Just roam, window shop, find the food court with the best AC blast, and bask in that sweet, sweet artificial breeze. It's not shopping – it’s survival, with style.

6 Check in, cool down

Look after each other in the worst of the heat

Soaring temperatures don’t just mean beach days and icecreams – extreme heat can be seriously tough Elderly whānau, pēpi, folks with chronic health conditions, or those living alone or without decent housing feel the heat harder than others. Research from the University of Auckland shows that once daily temperatures climb above 24.1°C, hospital admissions among kids under five go up. A quick text, call or visit could make all the difference. Surviving heatwaves is a team sport – we all do better when we look out for each other. Whether it’s offering a ride to the mall, dropping off some cold drinks, or reminding someone to drink water and rest, checking in isn’t just good for others, it keeps us cool and grounded too.

7 Drink up, stay sharp

The power of hydration on a hot day

Staying hydrated isn’t just good for your skin, it’s survival. When the heat’s on, our bodies lose moisture fast, and even mild dehydration can leave us feeling foggy, cranky or totally wiped. The fix? Keep that water bottle close, and sip often – don’t wait until you're parched. And if you're out and about, Auckland’s got your back. The city is home to a growing network of free, filtered public water fountains. You’ll find refill stations in parks, along the waterfront (like at Wynyard Quarter and Mission Bay), at major train stations, near playgrounds and leisure centres and in rural areas too. They're clearly marked and totally free.

8 Wander, wonder, waterfall

Lucas Creek Waterfall in the heart of Albany

If you need a local outdoor adventure that won’t hurt the hip pocket or land you in hospital, take the kids or the kaumats for a stroll to Lucas Creek Waterfall. Yes, a real waterfall – on the suburban edge of Albany! It's a hidden gem that makes you forget you’re minutes from the motorway. At its best after a good summer rain, Lucas Creek Waterfall is a living example of how natural and city life can thrive together. About a decade ago, major restoration efforts began its transformation into a modern climate refuge: the stream was widened, its banks reshaped, and walkways and bridges were built. Rock riffles and a rain garden were installed. Ten thousand trees were planted and two wetlands created. Tau kē, Tāmaki.

9 Read through it…

Designated cool zones

If you’re close to meltdown, Auckland’s network of council-run libraries and leisure centres have you. Whether you feel like comfy cushions, a pool or splash pad, an air-conditioned gym or just some space to rest and breathe, libraries and centres offer easy, affordable (often free!) ways to keep cool while you rest or get active. In hot weather and extreme events, they double as community safe zones – temperature-controlled spaces where you can take refuge, hydrate and recharge. Many centres are powered by new, energy-efficient systems, and council continues to improve their environmental impact while keeping them accessible. So next time the mercury spikes, skip the panic fan shopping and head to your local.

10 Out of the shade and into the action

Building a cooler, kinder Tāmaki Makaurau

We have time to plan for more hot days. If you want to get into a bit more detail about how Auckland's heat is changing, check out our Auckland Urban Heat Assessment. As Auckland summers get longer and hotter, it’s clear we need more than fans and ice blocks to cope. We need a city designed for the future, where everybody, regardless of postcode or income, has access to shade, clean air, cool places and fresh water. The good news? That future starts with us. Whether it’s getting involved in urban greening projects, backing climate-conscious businesses, building your local arts, sports or church community, or making some noise about the need for more trees, accessible culture, climate-resilient housing, better public transport, low-emission zones or equitable health care, small acts of civic engagement add up.

Planet-proof Papakura

How Papakura is planning together for a changing climate

resilient communities

Kia ora is a climate strategy

Forget the bunker and the loo paper — the real secret to climate resilience is your neighbours. Yep, even the cool couple downstairs. If the idea of saying hi makes you sweat, here’s your easy, introvert-friendly guide to building community, one small step at a time.

FEATURE STORY

Chill tactics