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Auckland

Auckland

State

Auckland

Country

New Zealand

Continent

Oceania

Size

1,086 KM2

Population

1,470,100

Spending Budget

$2,011 - $6,771

Famous For

  • Sky Tower
  • Auckland War Memorial Museum

Best Time to Visit

  • January
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • September

History

The isthmus was settled by Maori circa 1350, and was valued for its rich and fertile land. Many pa (fortified villages) were created, mainly on the volcanic peaks. By the early 1700s, Te Waiohua, pa a confederation of tribes such as Nga Oho, Nga Riki and Ng Iwi, became the main influential force on the Auckland isthmus, with major located at Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill, Māngere Mountain and Maungataketake. Trams and railway lines shaped Auckland's rapid expansion in the early first half of the 20th century. However, after the Second World War the city's transport system and urban form became increasingly dominated by the motor vehicle. Arterial roads and motorways became both defining and geographically dividing features of the urban landscape.

Present Day

Auckland is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. The most populous urban area in the country, Auckland has an urban population of about 1,470,100 (June 2020). It is located in the Auckland Region—the area governed by Auckland Council—which includes outlying rural areas and the islands of the Hauraki Gulf, and which has a total population of 1,717,500. While Europeans continue to make up the plurality of Auckland's population, the city became multicultural and cosmopolitan in the late-20th century, with Asians accounting for 31% of the city's population in 2018. Auckland is also home to the largest Polynesian population in the world. The Māori-language name for Auckland is Tamaki Makaurau, meaning "Tamaki desired by many", in reference to the desirability of its natural resources and geography.

Future

From the arrival of the first Māori settlers to its recent evolution into a modern international city with a substantial rural sector, Auckland's story has been one of constant growth and change. While initial settlement by both Māori and European tended to cluster around the waterfront, development soon spread further afield in response to population growth. By the early 1900s Auckland had become New Zealand's largest city and suburban development had extended to the central isthmus and parts of the North Shore. However, it wasn't until the arrival of the motor car, particularly after World War Two, that Auckland's urban footprint really started to expand. The resulting pattern of lower density suburbs, enabled by the motorway system and widespread car ownership, is still the dominant feature of Auckland's urban form to this day. Over the next 30 years, Auckland will move towards a multi-nodal model within the urban footprint. The city centre will continue to be the focus of Auckland's business, tourism, educational, cultural and civic activities. It will continue to be an important residential centre as well. But it won't be the only main centre in Auckland. Albany, Westgate and Manukau, including their catchments, are nodes which are critical to growth across the region.
Must Visit Places ------------

Sky Tower Auckland

Auckland's needle-like Sky Tower is the city's most prominent landmark and, at 328 meters high, is New Zealand's highest building. If you're looking for a place to snap the perfect city panorama then the observation deck here-reached by zooming up to the top of the building in a glass-elevator-is just the place to get your camera out, with views stretching into the distance for 80 kilometers on a clear day.

Waitemata Harbour

The wide sweep of Waitemata Harbour slices Auckland in two and is the city's most prominent natural feature. It was because of this easily navigable waterway that Auckland became New Zealand's capital in 1840 (the country's capital is now Wellington, though Auckland remains New Zealand's economic powerhouse). It's a delightful area to explore on foot and features a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities.

Auckland Harbour Bridge Adventures

The central harbor is dominated by Auckland Harbour Bridge, completed in 1959 and more than one kilometer long and some 43 meters high, which connects downtown Auckland to the northern districts and the sandy beaches of the bays farther north. The bridge also offers plenty of fun things to do to add a thrill to your sightseeing experience. One of the top-rated thrills to experience is the Auckland Harbour Bridge bungee jump, an experience that includes traversing an exclusive bridge walk before plunging 40 meters to the harbor water below.

Auckland War Memorial Museum

Auckland's imposing War Memorial Museum sits on the highest point of Auckland Domain in a vast Neoclassical building dating from 1929, which was erected as a memorial dedicated to the New Zealand soldiers who fought in World War I. Today, it houses an impressive collection of artifacts that traces the history of New Zealand from its first Polynesian settlers to the present day and highlights New Zealand's natural heritage.

One Tree Hill

For many Aucklanders, the volcanic cone of One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie) is the symbol of their city. The 182-meter-high hill sits amid the lush Cornwall Park with a series of flower beds and stands of mature trees set amid walking trails. One Tree Hill takes up the southwest corner of the park, and the slopes contain remnants of a Maori Pa, a fortified village located here during the pre-European era. At the top of the hill is a lone obelisk built over the grave of Sir John Logan Campbell who gifted this swath of greenery to Auckland to be used as a city park. There are fantastic views across the cityscape from the hill summit.

Auckland Art Gallery

Auckland Art Gallery is the city's most impressive cultural site. Housed in an impressive French Renaissance-style structure built in 1887, the gallery is home to New Zealand's most extensive art collection with more than 15,000 artworks on display. The permanent galleries host an array of artworks, including European painting and sculpture that date back to the 14th century.

Waiheke Island

Waiheke Island is the most popular to visit. Around 8,000 people live here year-round, and the island's villages are home to art galleries and a thriving café culture, while the coast hosts plenty of white-sand beaches. For keen walkers and hikers, a variety of trails wind along the coastline and through the island interior. For spectacular views and a challenging hike, the Church Bay Circuit is an excellent three-hour walk that showcases the best of the island.

New Zealand Maritime Museum

New Zealanders have always been deeply connected with the sea, and the well-curated New Zealand Maritime Museum explores this connection, offering a comprehensive survey of the country's seafaring history. Exhibits trace the country's history from the arrival of the first Polynesians and include Maori canoes and outrigger boats, whaling equipment, and old instruments and implements. One gallery is devoted to New Zealand's modern yachting success and includes the yacht in which the New Zealand crew, skippered by Sir Peter Blake, won the America's Cup in 1995. Many of the vessels held in the collection sail regularly, which adds a real dose of excitement to a sightseeing trip.

Viaduct Harbour

The regeneration of Viaduct Harbour is a legacy of New Zealand hosting the America's Cup yachting regatta and has turned this waterside area into one of the city's main entertainment and dining hubs. As well as being one of the country's major marinas, Viaduct Harbour's lively calendar of events is a tourism draw. Every Sunday, the Flower Market here brings in crowds with live music and street food, while regular free events during summer months are a favorite with local families. The vibrant waterside cafés and restaurants are a great place to stop and linger over lunch while exploring Auckland's central attractions.

SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium

One of Auckland's top attractions for visiting families, SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium allows you to get up close and personal with life under the water. A series of huge aquariums containing aquatic life can be observed from the tunnel walkways with aquariums devoted to sharks, tropical fish, and stingrays. Kelly Tarlton's also houses an Antarctic Encounter gallery, complete with a snow-filled penguin enclosure, highlighting New Zealand's close association with Antarctica's international scientific communities.