Auckland

Auckland/Tāmamki-makau-rau

Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city (bigger in size and population to its capital, Wellington) and is currently the nation’s fastest growing.  A progressively sophisticated destination, Auckland was classified as an Alpha World (or global) City by the World Cities Study Group conducted by Loughborough University in 2008.

Auckland is bordered by the Waitakere and Hunua Ranges in the west and south east respectively, and the Manukau and Waitemata Harbour’s.  As one of the few cities in the world to have two harbours, it is sometimes called the City of Sails.  Auckland has a temperate climate, with humid summers and wet winters, and receives rainfall throughout the year.  In 1939, Auckland received its only recorded snowfall.

The Maori first inhabited the area that later became known as Auckland in 1350.  The region’s rich and fertile soil made it an attractive and popular area in which to settle.  It is estimated that a town with a population of about 20 000 existed there when the European settlers arrived in 1840.  The introduction of fire arms to some iwi’s (tribes) resulted in an inter-tribal war that saw a dramatic decrease in the Maori population by the time the Europeans came to settle and build in the area.

Auckland became the base for the historic Maori King Movement in the mid 1850’s.  In reaction to Pakeha (white people) settlements, the united Maori population decided to become a monarchy, so as to be seen as equal to the Europeans.  Their first elected king was Pōtatau Te Wherowhero, who came to power in 1858.  The current Maori monarch is a descendent of Te Wherowhero, although the role today is mainly symbolic.

Auckland was New Zealand’s capital city from 1841 until 1865.  It replaced New Zealand’s first capital city, Russell (in the Bay of Islands), and was replaced by the current capital city, Wellington.  A 2006 census recorded a population of 1.4 million.  This is a staggering 31% (or one third) of the nation’s population of 4.1 million.

Auckland is situated amongst the Auckland Volcanic Field, an area that has produced approximately fifty volcanoes.  While many of these were quarried away in the early twentieth century, several intact volcanoes still remain.  The individual volcanoes have been classified extinct, while the Volcanic Field is considered merely dormant.

The Auckland Volcanic Field’s largest volcano, Rangitoto Island, is an Auckland landmark.  Formed within the last 1000 year, its fearsome eruptions (the last of which occurred nearly 700 years ago) destroyed several Maori villages and is still prominent in Maori historic memory and myth.  Rangitoto Island’s location, size and relative symmetry make it Auckland’s most iconic natural feature.

Auckland’s increasingly multicultural population is evident in the large selection of ethnic restaurants, cafes and galleries.  As the city with the largest Polynesian population in the world, it also showcases a lot of Maori culture.  Auckland boasts a range of attractions unique to the city.

Auckland Domain, the largest park in the city, lies within the Volcanic Field perimeters and is a popular spot with locals and tourist.  Visitors often take a picnic or play a friendly game of sport whilst enjoying the gorgeous views of Manukau Harbour and Rangitoto Island.

The presence of two harbours makes water sports a very popular endeavour.  The Viaduct Basin has hosted two America’s Cup Challenges, the first in 2000 and again in 2003.  The sheltered Waitemata Harbour, with its calm waters, is the venue for many local sailing competitions and is also popular with kayakers and jet skiers.
The Aotea Centre is Auckland’s home of culture.  The centre supports theatre, opera and kapa haka (Maori song and dance.)  Auckland also has a symphonic ensemble, the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra.

Auckland is the only New Zealand city to host the popular Australian music festival, Big Day Out.  The Big Day Out takes place in January and provides dozens of concerts from international music acts over one (big) day.  Auckland Big Day Out is the first of the Big Day Outs (the rest take place in Australia’s capital cities) and has a reputation for being the best.

There are two polytechnics and three universities in Auckland, including Massey University, which is currently New Zealand’s biggest.

Auckland is a beautiful and exciting place to live.  With a huge range of interesting and unusual geographic, cultural and entertainment attractions, you’ll find that it’s impossible to stay bored in this city.