Auckland

Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city with a population of 1.4 million people. It covers an area of 16,140 sq km (6,232 sq miles) and stretches from Wellsford in the North to Bombay Hills in the South, however, the central area, which is of main interest to visitors, is much more compact.

Auckland is one of the few cities in the world to have harbours on two separate major bodies of water, the Waitemata and Manukau Harbours which in both ancient and modern times have had a large influence on the lives of the Aucklanders. Valued for its excellent volcanic soil, oceans teeming with fish, and the natural advantages that the dormant volcanoes provided for fortification, Tamaki became the largest Maori settlement and still is today.

Auckland, in Maori, “Tamaki-makau-rau” (Tamaki of 100 lovers) was given that name by the Maori because there were many battles fought for control of the land because of its richness. Tamaki, the Destination of Voyagers, is an ancient name for the Auckland Isthmus given to it when it was first settled by the great Polynesian Voyagers over 1,000 years ago.

In the mid 18th century the Ngati Whatua iwi conquered Auckland and are acknowledged today as the tangata whenua (the people of the land) of the Tamaki Isthmus. And in 1840 Captain William Hobson, then the Lieutenant Governor of New Zealand, was invited by Ngati Whatua chiefs to establish the new colony’s capital in Auckland as they could see the advantages of trade with the Europeans and to some extent their stabilising influence in an area that had seen many battles for control.

Modern Auckland grew from very humble beginnings (learn more in the Audio Tour Auckland - City of Sails) until today it's a vibrant cosmopolitan city with the central city backbone stretching down Queen St from Karangahape Road (K. Rd) to the sparkling Waitemata Harbour.

Auckland is a city of villages, many of them easy to reach from the city. Be sure to visit fashionable Parnell, just to the east, brimming with renovated wooden villas typical of central Auckland City, and busy with restaurants and boutiques seven days a week (download our free Parnell podcast for an introduction to this vibrant area).

For a delightful ferry ride across the Waitemata harbour and visit to a quaint seaside artisan village a trip to Devonport is a must. Nestled in the shadow of three extinct volcanoes there are beaches for swimming, arts and crafts, history, beautiful views and superb restaurants. “Devonport–Auckland’s Quaint Seaside Village” mp3 pod tour will help you discover many of the best spots to visit.

No matter how long you have available for Auckland city sightseeing there are may different activities. Whether you are interested in shopping, history, the outdoors, adventure activities or the delights of the seaside there is more than enough to delightfully fill the days of your visit and a wide range of half day or full day tours. There are always more Auckland attractions to discover with a vibe that suits you.

Time Zone

New Zealand's standard Time zone is 12 hours ahead of Greenwich

Mean Time (GMT+12). New Zealand operates Daylight saving Time

from the first Sunday in October until the third Sunday in March, when the time is GMT+13.

Weather

Auckland's maritime climate ensures that temperatures never go to the extremes but it is extremely changeable. Sunny one minute, rainy the next, wait half an hour and the sun is out again. Be prepared for change and your ready for Auckland Weather at any time of the year.

Summer average temperatures average 23°c (74°F) with humidity of 66% and in winter even in the coldest month of July will see temperatures of 7.5°c (45.5°F) and rarely fall near freezing.

In late spring through summer, November to February, Auckland averages of 6.6 hrs of sunshine per day which make it ideal for outdoors activities and discovering its many beaches.