Worked in Otara for 11 years until I retired in February (this year). Never had an awkward moment. People are really friendly and helpful. They are a great community.

I as a pakeha heavily pregnant woman popped into Otara center right around xmas time one year to do a spot of shopping as looking for stocking fillers. Not normally somewhere I'd go due to being a bit out of my way. Place was super packed and crowds huge but WOW the people were the loveliest peeps ever. Actually making room for me to get through and I kinda felt like a bit of a queen. Just the sweetest most caring community ever. So much respect for them all and I felt safer shopping there than I did at my local shopping ctr where so many crazy shoppers coming at me with their bloody shopping trolleys lol.

I guess places are in the eye of the beholder. I arrived in Auckland in 1999 from London UK and stayed 4 months at Mount Albert and travelled right around North Island with Kiwi friends. I've travelled the globe way back, WAY WAY back but I honestly thought that Auckland at the Millennium was THEE COOLEST City I'd EVER seen and I was just blown away with the Sunshine, Vibrancy, the Locals, the Shops and the Cars and just EVERYTHING. I'd never experienced such exhilaration in a City and I've travelled all around the Far East, Phillipines, South Africa, Mediterranean, Europe and Copenhagen and Rotterdam BUT AUCKLAND TOPPED THE WHOLE SHEBANG ! We went up into Northland and down thru Auckland Manukau City, Hamilton, across to Opotoki and Roturua and a ton of other COOL places. I was just blown away with everything so much so that when I left Auckland in 2000 to travel back to the UK I literally sobbed my heart out all the way to Seoul Korea until the plane change 😂 I kid thee not. Anyways, I came back in 2001 and got permanent residency in 2003 but I ended up down the bottom of South Island by foolishly following someone else's dream and now I'm seeking to relocate but it's been 23 years since I was up in Auckland and I had my heart set on Northland not only for the warm weather for my renal failure but also for the stunning beauty that North Island holds in my Heart. However, several people have said that Auckland has changed and to find somewhere else but until proven I believe it's in the eye of the beholder. I guess one could meet adversity in any country on any day of the week for ANY reason so I still have my heart set on Northland with my dressmaking enterprise but we'll see. However, i have only beautifully stunning memories of NORTH ISLAND YEAR 1999/2000. I might open up my Facebook again (@StephSancia) as it has a plethora of photos I took of North Island on a 35mm Canon at that time when the Yacht racing was on and Helen Clark was Prime Minister. Have a fabulous week ahead

stayed in auckland for a couple of weeks went there to do our washing, I have a brain injued son who liked to steal food he was only about 4 then, the whole crew sat in a circle with us on the floor while our washing was going so I could let go of his hand and he just sat on peoples knees he loved it, thank you people, forever greatful for your kindness

Otara , Otahuhu , Mangere , Manukau , Manurewa has some of the kindest people living there . Like most people they do their best to get on with life and provide for their families

Otara is not as bad as the media portrays it to be. There are a lot of good people there, but theres obviously gonna be those who give Otara a bad rep

I grew up in Mangere and mum took us every weekend to Otara flea market. Love how you're open to different cultures. Great vid bro.

Those shops haven't changed since the early 80s love it.

Compared to broken Britain , NZ is an absolute paradise .. I stayed in Manngere I had no problem

I wish more New Zealanders were as open minded as you are as a visitor. I don't live in Auckland but have visited the markets and shops of South Auckland quite often. I enjoy the atmosphere All over NZ there are places like Rotorua, Opotiki and Ruatoria that some people warn others about. In my experience a warm smile, and a bit of common sense, makes visiting anywhere, including these so called dangerous places, interesting and pleasurable. Thanks for breaking some of the fear based myths.

otara is the safest town in new zealand we would be the first people to reach out and help anyone in need

This is what you might say a tourist would see, purely a facade. The gang culture is extremely prevalent in South Auckland.

Wait til night time drinking domistic drama with the neighbours street fights all sorts happen only in the night time lol😂

Ive only meet a handful of people that pronounce Maori towns correctly you are the first foreigner good on you bro chur

your excitement is infectious.. love it

Many areas in South Auckland don't receive as much public funding which I think feeds into the stereotype, but it also causes people to form stronger connections with their community which is where you see the cultural vibrancy come in.

I'm a proud South Aucklander, love your cheerful and positive attitude ♥️

Thanks for taking us along with you Curls! Enjoy seeing new places with your commentary.

I live in Southern California NZ looks a lot like home. I have to say you have a nice enthusiasm for the mundane; a farmer's market and a half run down outdoor mall - you say WOW a lot! - Also please slow down the camera movement -dizzying- but overall you are a good promoter and seem very sincere - fun to watch your enjoyment of common things.

He made it out in one piece 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

As a child my parents and my brothers and sister would go to Otara in the 1960s. This was when the shopping mall there was brand new. Certainly has changed.

Chalk and cheese once the night time arrives.

I was born and raised in Otara and it’s the most friendly place in south Auckland it’s dangerous ONLY when you mess with the locals they don’t muck around,but I guess that’s like most places in the world

I work in otara, no issues ever lol it used to be bad but has cleaned up massively over past 10 years

The worst town in New Zealand is like the most peaceful area in the UK

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT A TOWN IS LIKE TILL YOU SEE IT AT NIGHT.

Otara flea market most famous South Auckland market and longest running too..beautiful people and awesome atmosphere ❤

I reckon a lot more non locals will be visiting these markets, due to the rise in the cost of living.

😂😂😂 this is NOT the worst town in New Zealand!

I'm a security guard doing mobile patrols who works alone during the night. I use to work in Otara and not once did I ever feel unsafe despite all the negative publicly it gets. Otara town center is actually quite vibrant with a good variety of shopping and eateries. Yes it's a low socio suburb but I don't find it dangerous. When I visited New York we took a drive through the Bronx and Harlem and I also didn't find it as bad as what Hollywood portrays it to be. The most impoverished areas I've seen in NZ is in the far north.

You could say it’s New Zealand’s most infamous town. But definitely not even top 10 worst. We have towns they can’t even pay people to move to

I guess nothing has change since the last time I was there back In 1983, the people In Mangere and Otara were all laid back ,never ever any dramas,. It's good to see an up date on Otara....thanks for ur upload Curles👍

Most dangerous town in NZ i disagree. I would have to put Flaxmere in Hastings and wairoa to be very dangerous.

A good video mate, so glad you did this one, pity I didn't get to find out you were coming to south Auckland as love to meet you one day.

I have very fond memories of the Otara markets! Thanks for the video mate...

Give me a yell when you get to Manurewa.... cones 😉

1:33 Those signature moves are getting are harder to spot with the quick cut aways......but they're there 🤣

I grew up in Mangere from the 70s to the early 90s. We would visit the Otara markets once a fortnights and the Mangere markets every other week. Great food, and an awesome vibe and atmosphere. Sure, these places have had their issues over the years, but I feel a lot safer walking around Otara and Mangere than other places in the world. Like Tijuana, parts of Las Vegas, parts of LA and parts of NYC. Manurewa and Papakura are generally okay as well, apart from a few bad streets here and there. I've walked most of these areas at night as well. I saw more trouble in Queen street (downtown Auckland) than I did in the South.

When I was younger, our family used to always head over to the Otara Shopping Centre on late opening night (Friday, until 9.00pm). This was in the late 1960's and early 1970's, when the centre was quite new, fairly unique, and most shoppers and shop owners were European. Today, it's a very different place, but not in a bad way. Once the Mangere Town Centre opened in the early 1970's, we cut ties with the Otara mall, as it was further away than Mangere - we lived in Mangere East at the time.

Love the fact you travel to the places people have told you are the worst, and in every one you get a hearty sense of community and get shown the love in some form or another. Also love that you choose to see the best in a place/person before you judge, it's a trait not a lot of people have anymore, don't lose that mate! Got me craving lamb buns lately though! 😆

Come to South of Chicago, you will see what a 9th dangerous place in US looks like

A day tour, and a night tour are two different things. All the trouble goes down during the night time

The only scary things about Otara is the police, Doctors and Dentists

That's like Dhaka. It's considered one of the most 'dangerous" cities in the world, but it's the opposite. World leaders just wants you to avoid cheap, fantastic places so they can earn money.

Otara is an amazing place, and seriously, the reputation it has is not even anywhere close to its true value

I would feel safer in Otara than I would in down town Auckland

Otara was a dangerous place back in the early 2000s most places in south auckland was its calmed down alot since then otara has its days like everywhere else around the country. OTARA IS HOME 💯

I used to be a Barman in Otahuhu . I also lived in Otahuhu for 6 years. I used to walk everyday to my workplace My workplace was situated at the Otahuhu town. You do get lots of homeless (druggies) in Otahuhu town roaming in the street being a menace to the society. This is the bitter truth the bad side of Otahuhu. You get only few nice locals

Maybe twenty years ago south side was considered the dark lands that Simba was warned about but it's cleaned up it's image

Always love the videos, Antonov Khrushchev!

It is fun watching you walk around my old neighbourhoods - born and bred South Auckland and you were walking past the polytech

Like anywhere late night,eyes open.

Am from Central Auckland but most of my family live in South Auckland I go there a lot the reputation it has received has been grossly unfair the people there are some of the nicest people you'll meet and the vibe and atmosphere is great! A lot of the reputation is sadly down to a bit of classism and racism.

"OTARA 274" - Chur bro awesome video man keep up the good work brother.

I think all those food places in one small shopping centre tells you everything about island culture.

When houses in South Auckland now start at $1million, its a very far way from where it was in the 90s. Now all of Auckland is "rough" with the level of crime.

Love it Curls! My hometown!

I would never have considered anywhere in South Auckland to be the most dangerous town in New Zealand. The Pacifica community us always very friendly. Dangerous, or less safe towns, would probably include Kawerau, Murupara, Ruatoria, Kaikohe, Mierewa, Mataura, probably Huntly goes on the list now too. Ah, New Zealand.

When I first moved to NZ (American) I was in South Auckland, walking toward a shop when a rather beat-up car with four Maori teenagers in it playing their stereo quite loudly pulled up, and the driver got out. He glared at me and snarled, "What CHOO lookin' at?" Me, being a pakeha woman of a Certain Age but not your typical nana, just smiled and said, "You. Cuz you're just so damned CUTE!" His jaw dropped, his three mates in the car burst out laughing. Then he smiled and said, "Let me get the door for you, Auntie, " and opened the shop door for me like a true gentleman. It's all in how you view the world...

This is not the worst place in new Zealand. I've lived in NZ all my hole life.

Best market and most genuine people ever. Be love and get love.

I live in Miami Florida and this place looks so much like home. Specifically downtown Miami/Little Havana. Love it!

Don't worry about some of the folks here giving you a hard time, South Auckland isn't the safest place to be, especially at night. It's safer than it used to be, but still not as safe as other parts of Auckland. I lived in Mangere East and Papatoetoe North (right on ME's border) for forty years, from 1962 to 2002, so I know what the area is about.

Wow, you found the Otara market. My favorite place. Did you try the famous fry bread, with butter and golden syrup. Super huge and yummy.

The lamb bun was a damn good choice. Pork buns go so hard as well.

Wellington is fine.. i used to stay in P town go running from my grandads to the top of Ascot park..n back. I was pretty safe😂🎉

Back in the 70s 80s 90s the streets were pretty rough, that generation have grown up and moved on. Now you have the KBs.

I’m an Aucklander. There is nothing dangerous here. Walking around Otara is fine

The food is in areas like Otara, and Mangere is awesome. I am in Papakura and the food choices out here sucks, I drive to Otara to buy kai. Back in the day I loved Otara Market, we would go very early 6.30am , get in and get out parking was crazy.

Man he really loves those lamb buns...

Seeing this video reminds me of old Ponsonby and K’Rd circa 1960’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, early noughties.

Otara markets are world famous in NZ.

I lived in Otara in the late 60s as a kid and he walked past what use to be a toy shop in the town centre. The market there is very popular not been back there in years use to live in Lappington Rd.

You have roast takeaways in the UK - when I was staying there I used to go to one off Fleet Street for lunch (roast beef and yorkie puds) and sometimes breakfast (bacon and egg baps).

Used to go to other marlet ever Saturday for years in the 80s & 90s. Good to see them.still going strong. Mangere has a market too

Very nice yummy great foods here down in Otara market atmosphere is awesome people enjoying blessed day 😁👍♥️ thanks 👍 GDB FAMILY 🙏

I loved watching your vlog, the level of respect to our language is so appreciated. Thank you for the great content.

Born and bread South East Aucklander of 42 years. South Auckland is alive during daylight hours. Loads of smiling people, the food is a focal point and the community feel is amazing. Come dusk, mix in alcohol, drugs and gangs, the place gets crazy. Manukau city has the biggest police station for a reason. I guess the mix of those negative things brings out the worst in any city anywhere. Unfortunately heavily populated with low socio economic representation makes for a dog eat dog world. Roller doors on shop fronts at end of trade with ram raid proof bollards shows what may be possible once the vibrant good sorts shut up shop and head home to be safe. Like any place in the world the vibe is different once the sun goes down. Sadly the way things are forces people to choose crime to make it through the day ahead, put food on the table and keep their family above water and in education. On top of this all Auckland is an expensive place to live. You'd see a whole new world after 10pm at the train stations, bus depots, and town squares and I'm glad you didn't go there. On a brighter note, you got to experience one of the best markets in Auckland. People travel far to buy their goods from there. The Mana of Community holds the place together so you take the good with the bad. Kia Kaha South Auckland.

Is there lots of coconut trees there

I can walk through here at 2am going home from a party.

In the 1980's a machete massacre took place in otara making it a cut above other towns in south dorkland

The refugee market, where you can buy bottles of nails for your IED.

Hi Otara is not the only wonderful place in STH Auckland, I worked in the old Grand Chancellor Hotel in Mangere for a year and i would pop out to the fantastic little Cafe next door for a coffee and food and up the road was the most wonderful laundrette. Cheers.

Had a stall there in the 80's great market, brings back memories

Live ther early 90 s .had shop on bairds rd when tongans and saomoans wher going at it. Apart from that being long time ago is a lot better now do past through now and then lots of change for the better i feel.

correct me if im mistaken. when i was a kid in the 90s Otara markets looked way bigger than now.

I lived in Manurewa for a month. Apparently dangerous neighborhood. I was safe and sound.

Love the end though 👏🏽 and your pronunciation of Māori names 👏🏽

They say Otaras hard . . . But Kura's harder ( Just looks like ponsonby )😂😂😂

Im a lifetime resident of Queens NYC. MOST "bad neighborhoods" in Any city gets that reputation because there are poor people and Immigrants living there. The "secret" is that is where locals get the best deals and meals.

if u like markets, u should come in to britomart market in the city. its got great coffee, and its right above the train station

Everyone in NZ still avoids my hometown of Opotiki! Kai Tangata is alive and well 😛

2:18 bottles of nails; probably for building a house? I guess? probably cheaper than bunnings

Can you do Waiuku? Its an amazing town and i think you'd love it. I vote going during the firework show.

Back in the day my friend got mugged in Otara, she lived there her whole life , just by Hilary College. We were only in high school then maybe around 1994 and we're small girls, got mugged by 5 guys for her chicago bulls starter jacket, I'll never forgot that.. pretty sad. Tbh it looks the same as it did back then.

🤤Bro you always it is hungry , I like you channel, peace bro🤙🏾👍🏾💪🏾. Nz is a amazing place.

Heaps of respect for you because of the respect you show people. Are you here for the long term?

Um . I'm terrified. I've been to some scary war zones. And they have nothing compared to this.

I instantly thought Wairoa when I read the title

Should have been at the Otara Chopping Center a couple of decades ago - it was the real Orcland 🤠