A playground in Onehunga, Auckland 1061, listed on Auckland Council's parks and recreation site and rated 4.2 on Google. A good playground earns its keep through variety — swings and sandpits for toddlers, climbing frames and slides for older kids, all laid over soft-fall surfacing that cushions the inevitable tumbles. Shade is the other thing to look for under the New Zealand sun; a spot with big trees or shade sails stays usable well past mid-morning, though hats and sunscreen should stay part of the routine regardless. Regulars tend to favour weekday mornings, when the equipment is quiet and the ground has dried after overnight rain, leaving weekends to the party crowds. Sitting on the Manukau Harbour side of the isthmus, this Onehunga playground gives local families an easy outdoor stop close to home.