Auckland

Auckland’s waterside location, on the northwest side of the North Island, has fostered the locals’ love affair with the sea, earning this place the nickname “City of Sails”.

Wherever you are in Auckland, you’re never far from breathtaking scenery, beautiful beaches, invigorating walks, idyllic holiday islands, outstanding food and wine, great shopping and exciting nightlife. Auckland’s cosmopolitan city center is complemented by great escapes to these vineyards, forests, islands and beaches, all within half-an-hour of downtown.

The City sprawls over a narrow isthmus between the sparkling waters of the Waitemata and Manukau Harbors. A cloak of rainforest covers the surrounding hills, dozens of dormant volcanic cones dot the landscape and enchanting holiday islands are scattered throughout the vast Hauraki Gulf. Two of the best island getaways are Waiheke Island and Great Barrier Island.

Auckland is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with a population of about 1.5 million residents, over 30 percent of the country’s population. Demographic trends indicate that it will continue to grow faster than the rest of the country. Yet Auckland’s temperate climate, easy access to the coast and variety of activities earn the city consistent top five rankings in international lifestyle surveys.

Auckland straddles the Auckland Volcanic Field which has produced approximately 50 volcanos. These take the form of cones, lakes, lagoons, islands and depressions, and several have produced extensive lava flows. All contributed to the variegated landscape that gives the city its unique profile.

A bit of Auckland history

New Zealand’s indigenous people, the Maori, called this land “Tamaki Makau Rau”, a maiden with 100 lovers. It was a place desired by many and fought over for its riches, including its forested hills, productive volcanic soils and harbors full of seafood. If you get a chance to read the entire Maori legend of the origin of Auckland, it will make your trip here more meaningful.

The area was first settled by the Maori around 1350 with the establishment of many “Pa” (fortified villages) on surrounding peaks. On 27 January 1832, Joseph Brooks Weller, bought land including the sites of the modern cities of Auckland and North Shore and part of Rodney District, for “one large cask of powder” from “Cohi Rangatira”.

After the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in February 1840, the new Governor of New Zealand, William Hobson chose the area as his new capital, and named it after George Eden, Earl of Auckland, who was then Viceroy of India. Auckland was officially declared New Zealand’s capital in 1841 but that designation was later transferred to Wellington in 1865. The land that Auckland was established on was gifted to the Governor by local Maori iwi Ngata Wahtua as a sign of goodwill and in the hope that the building of a city would attract commercial and political opportunities for the iwi.

Trams and railway lines shaped Auckland’s rapid expansion in the early first half of the 20th century, but soon afterward the dominance of the motor vehicle emerged and has not abated since.

The first sailors to settle here were the Maori, and in later years migrants from the Pacific Islands have contributed to the Polynesian population. You can take a walk through the city with a guide from the local iwi (tribe), visit the Auckland Museum, or wander through the weekend markets at Otara and Avondale for the flavors, sounds and sights of the South Pacific. In the city centre, Auckland has seen an explosion of ethnic restaurants and shops, especially Asian-style eateries.

Auckland Highlights

With so many things to do in and around Auckland, we’ve chosen a sampling:

Sky Tower

You have got to see the 360-degree view from the observation deck of the tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere. For a different perspective, SkyJump is 192 meters (633 ft.)  of cable-controlled base jumping from the Sky Tower. Alternatively, you can walk around the outside of the tower with SkyWalk, or just admire the view and enjoy the restaurants.

Auckland Harbour Bridge

Spanning the Waitemata Harbour, the Auckland Harbour Bridge offers spectacular views of Auckland city and the islands of the gulf. To admire these views and get the heart racing, you can do a bridge climb and walk or even bungy jump off it!

Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World

Spend a day at Kelly Tarlton’s and discover the unique sea life that lives in and around New Zealand’s waters. Walk through an underwater glass tunnel, see real life King and Gentoo penguins or for the brave at heart, swim with stingrays and sharks!

On the water

Take a cruise on a chartered launch or classic yacht on the Waitemata Harbour. Or go racing on an America’s Cup yacht, take a dolphin-spotting excursion or a gentle ferry ride to a seaside suburb such as Devonport.

Rangitoto Island

Walk or ride to the summit of Rangitoto, the lava rock sleeping volcano in the middle of the Hauraki Gulf. Rangitoto emerged from the sea in a fiery explosion around 600 years ago and now is an iconic jewel in the Auckland harbor.

Auckland Museum

Overlooking the Waitemata harbor and occupying one of New Zealand’s finest heritage buildings, the Auckland Museum War Memorial Museum is the cultural and spiritual touchstone for New Zealanders. The Museum is the first stop for anyone wishing to gain an insight into New Zealand and its people.

Food and Wine

Auckland will tempt your tastebuds with locally grown produce, seafood from its abundant harbors and award-winning wines to match. Many of the region’s restaurants have perfected “Pacific Rim” cuisine, fusing Pacific and Asian flavors. Auckland is also home to some of the country’s oldest established vineyards and is well known for its chardonnay, merlot and cabernet sauvignon wines. The region’s vineyards are clustered in five distinct areas – Waiheke Island, west Auckland, northwest Auckland, north Auckland (around Matakana) and the Clevedon Valley.

Shopping and Arts

Auckland’s stylish heart is the home of many of New Zealand’s top fashion designers. The block around High Street, the Chancery and Vulcan Lane hosts the boutiques of Karen Walker, Workshop, Zambesi and World, plus dozens of other designers.

The inner city suburbs of Ponsonby, Parnell and Newmarket are also well known for their shopping and trendy restaurants. Auckland is also a good place to shop for unique arts and crafts, and Pacific Island themed treasures.

Local arts and music events often have a strong Pacific flavor, and you can also catch the best international acts in world-class venues such as the Aotea Centre and Vector Arena.

No matter what time of year you’re visiting Auckland, there’s sure to be an event that appeals. Food and wine is a popular theme, with plenty grown and produced in the region. Sporting events are on every week, and Auckland is counting down for its key role in Rugby World Cup 2011.