Waiuku is a charming little rural town that sits at the southern end of the Āwhitu Peninsula.  The town has several pleasant waterfront parks and recreation areas overlooking the shores of the tidal Waiuku river, which is an estuary that flows out of the Manukau Harbour.  Waiuku is just under an hour’s drive from Auckland.  I had the opportunity to visit this beautiful little town in July.  Being winter, it was cold and wet but I still managed to see some highlights in between the rain showers.