Kendrick Lamar takes first helicopter ride in Auckland

Grammy Award-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar, who is here to headline the Auckland City Limits Music Festival, took his first-ever helicopter ride on a visit to the Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand.

Lamar began his Auckland adventure with a helicopter flight across Auckland's Waitemata Harbour to the Waiheke Island.

"What a way to see Auckland, I've been able to take my first ever helicopter ride and check out this stunning city from the sky," Lamar said in a statement.

While on the island, often referred to as Auckland's 'jewel in the crown', Lamar enjoyed some of the island's finest wine and cuisine at Cable Bay Vineyard.

"I want to buy a house here, have a studio, make some music... It's so peaceful here. I want to do everything here, get out on the water on a boat, enjoy the views... Do the butterfly! Haha," he added.

The rapper, who took home five prizes from 11 nominations at the prestigious Grammy Awards ceremony in February, released a surprise new album made up of outtakes from his album "To Pimp A Butterfly" earlier this month.