Auckland

Auckland, referred in Māori as Tāmaki Makaurau, is a dynamic metropolitan city situated on New Zealand’s North Island. As of June 2023, it has an urban population of around 1,478,800, rendering it the most populated city in New Zealand and the seventh largest in Oceania. The Auckland Region, administered by the Auckland Council, encompasses the vibrant metropolitan core, surrounding rural areas, and the scenic islands of the Hauraki Gulf, resulting in a total population of 1,739,300.

The population of Auckland is characterized by a multitude of distinct cultures, underscoring its identity as a multicultural and cosmopolitan metropolis. Although Europeans constitute the predominant ethnic group, the city has had a notable rise in Asian inhabitants, who represented 31% of the population in 2018. Auckland’s substantial Pasifika New Zealand community enhances this variety, establishing it as the home of the biggest ethnic Polynesian population worldwide. The city’s multicultural identity is highlighted by the statistic that 39% of its inhabitants are foreign-born, positioning it fourth globally for foreign-born demographics.

The Māori name of the city, Tāmaki Makaurau, translates to “Tāmaki desired by many,” reflecting its plentiful natural riches and advantageous terrain. Auckland is situated between the Hauraki Gulf to the east, the Hunua Ranges to the southeast, the Manukau Harbour to the southwest, and the Waitākere Ranges to the west and northwest. This distinctive location presents a breathtaking panorama of hills adorned with rainforest and 53 volcanic sites, generally referred to as the Auckland Volcanic Field. The city is among the very handful worldwide that possesses a harbor on two significant bodies of water—the Manukau Harbour of the Tasman Sea and the Waitematā Harbour of the Pacific Ocean.

The Auckland isthmus was initially inhabited during 1350, esteemed by the Māori for its arable terrain. Prior to European arrival, the Māori population in the region was estimated to have reached a maximum of 20,000. The founding of a British colony in New Zealand in 1840 represented a pivotal moment, with Auckland designated as the new capital by Lieutenant-Governor William Hobson. The key land donation from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei to Hobson enabled this development. Although Wellington supplanted Auckland as the capital in 1865, Auckland continued to prosper, propelled by its port, forestry, gold mine, and subsequently, pastoral farming and industries.

Auckland’s core business district currently serves as New Zealand’s premier economic center. The city hosts the University of Auckland, established in 1883, which is the largest university in the nation. Auckland’s economy is multifaceted, with substantial contributions from tourism, education, and several cultural institutions. Prominent attractions comprise the Auckland War Memorial Museum, the Museum of Transport and Technology, and the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. The city’s architectural landmarks, including the Harbour Bridge, Town Hall, Ferry Building, and Sky Tower—the second-tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere—enhance its appeal.

Auckland Airport serves as a significant international gateway, accommodating around 2 million people each month. Auckland, despite its status as one of the world’s priciest cities, frequently achieves top rankings in global liveability assessments. In 2019, it ranked third in the Mercer Quality of Living Survey and achieved the highest position in the Global Liveability Ranking by The Economist in 2021. The paradox of elevated expenses coupled with a superior quality of life underscores Auckland’s distinctive amalgamation of urban refinement and natural splendor, rendering it an appealing locale for both inhabitants and tourists.