But I also need advice...

I have tried multiple landbased spots in the Manukau Harbour over the last years or so. I have had some good luck, and plenty of bad luck. I'm a bit of a weekend warrior (or late evening at present) and I would be keen to hook up with someone who has got some good experience.

Best Spots Tried:
Little Huia (Round the rocks access)
Huia Point (Under Tree with Sinkers)
Cornwallis Point (down from Monument)

Happy to share experiences and knowledge, also keen to hear your stories.

The Good Luck:
3 Keeper Snapper from Little Huia (Guy next to me hooked a Kingy and landed it (8-9kg approx) using smelly old Pilchard.

Spoke to a guy caught a 10+ KG Kingy from Cornwallis wharf. Berlied up big time at dusk on high tide and used a livey under baloon.

The Bad Luck:
Berlied up big time on Conrwallis point, at dusk right on high tide....not even 1 bite!!!

Huia Point on dead low. Baby snapper a plent but no dinner

I have no real knowledge on best rigs to use, just give it a go really.

PM me for a chat about the odds / spots

Thanks for that Rodman, good of you to join in with some helpful stuff. I don't do much landbased fishing and none at all over that side, but I think if you have faith in the spots you have mentioned and keep working away at them then things will pay off. A livie under a ballon is always a good option around rocks, just leave it set in real close as kings usually cruise around close in to rocks.

Whatipu can be productive especially for kahawai. A lot of people have trouble losing their gear out Whatipu, I used to fish it using unweighted pillies cast out and not left out long enough to get snagged. I also found floats a really good way of fishing there. A good place to try for kahawai is on Paratutae, walk around where the old wharf was and through the little cave, there is a gap you need to jump across and you keep walking around untill you get to a big gut that only a billy goat can get around. be there from 4 to 2 hours before high and it also works for an hour or two after high. Pick your weather though it can be dangerous.  Plenty of other options there too, and some good trevs, kings and snapper used to be caught although I havent caught snapper there myself I have seen then pulled in.

It can be hard to beat the crowds there too.