When I first arrived at the Four Canoes I was cordially welcomed by the staff and impressed by the lobby combining modern elements with traditional Maori design.You can learn and experience so much about Maori Culture right in the hostel, for example I learned about he origin of the name "Four Canoes" . A massive door leads into a hall which is soon going to be a bar.
My four bed dorm had an ensuite bathroom. A little later I found out that all other rooms in the entire hostel have their private bathrooms, which is definitely not common, but really awesome. So you don't have to be worried about getting hold of a shower after you enjoyed one of the pools the hostel offers.
The communal kitchen is brand new and you can find everything your heart desires. From Toasters and Ovens to Fridges, Freezers,Pots, Pans and more. The kitchen area also offers seats for up to 4o people. The food you need for your cooking session can be bought either in a Pak'n Save or a Countdown store only a couple minutes down the street. Like all other communal areas in the hostel ( even the laundry room) the kitchen is also equipped with several computers. Moreover, the Four Canoes provides you free and unlimited WiFi all over the place.
If you are exhausted after your event you booked in the hostel's own travel center you can relax in the Cinema Room upstairs. The lounge seats are perfectly comfortable so you can enjoy a range of Sky TV Channels completely carefree and laid-back.
On the whole, I definitely enjoyed my stay at the four canoes, since I felt welcome and home, which is the most important thing while you are travelling, especially when your are on your own. On top of that, the hostel is located close to the CBD and its bus stops, so you don't have to worry about the transport.