About Auckland

Rangitoto Island from the North Shore, thanks to Tourism Auckland

Auckland is New Zealands largest metropolitan centre and sits on a series of dormant or extinct volcanic cones. It is the hub of New Zealands manufacturing industries and commerce. Greater Auckland straddles an isthmus separating two large harbours, the Waitemata in the North and the Manukau in the South. The Waitemata harbour is the most prominent for most Aucklanders, and stretches out to the visible Gulf Islands, Waiheke, Rangitoto, (a dormant volcanic cone well worth a visit), Mototapu, Kawau and Great Barrier. In such magnificent waters, sailing dominates this City of Sails. It has been said that to live in Auckland without a boat is akin to living in Switzerland without skis. It was from here that Team New Zealand successfully won and then defended the Americas Cup yachting trophy from the United States.

Auckland is New Zealands largest multicultural centre. It is the largest Polynesian city in the world, with groups from Tonga, Samoa, the Cook Islands, Niue, Fiji, Tokelau etc. congregated largely in the South. It also boasts the largest Maori population in the country. There is also an expanding Chinese community. Auckland is also a hub for New Zealands gay community which celebrates every year with the HERO Parade through the citys Ponsonby Road. Ponsonby Road is the centre of the Auckland restaurant area, with many bars, cafés and eateries catering for a multitude of culinary tastes.

The city boasts easy access to many beautiful beaches from the wild and rugged West Coast (Piha, Kare Kare, Muriwai) to the more peaceful and sedate East Coast. There are numerous Regional Parks (Rangitoto, Shakespeare, Wenderholm) that offer excellent day visits.

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