Linden Fish & Chips is a neighbourhood fish and chip shop at 3 Collins Avenue in Tawa, on Wellington's northern edge, rated 4.0 on Google. Good fish and chips come down to timing: fish fried to order so the batter stays crisp on the walk home, and chips drained properly so they're fluffy inside rather than greasy. In New Zealand the fish on offer often changes with the catch — tarakihi, hoki and gurnard move through many takeaway cabinets — so it's worth asking what came in fresh rather than ordering on autopilot. Regulars also learn the rhythm of the counter: Friday nights bring the queues, while a midweek visit usually means a shorter wait and food that hasn't sat around. For Tawa locals, having a chippy on Collins Avenue makes a paper-wrapped dinner an easy weeknight call.