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Volcanoes
 Approaching Rangitoto Island from Auckland
Approaching Rangitoto Island from Auckland
Auckland straddles the volcanoes of the Auckland Volcanic Field. The 50 volcanic vents in the field take the form of cones, lakes, lagoons, islands and depressions. Some of the cones have been partly or completely quarried away. The volcanoes are all individually extinct although the volcanic field itself is merely dormant. The most recent and by far the largest volcano, Rangitoto Island, was formed within the last 1000 years. 'Rangi' means 'sky' and 'toto' means 'blood', which indicates it was named by M?ori who had witnessed its eruption. Its size, its symmetry, its position guarding the entrance to Waitemata Harbour and its visibility from many parts of the Auckland region make it Auckland's most iconic natural feature. Rangitoto is eerily quiet as almost no birds and insects have settled on the island because of the rich acidic soil and type of flora that has adapted to grow out of the black broken rocky soil.
Isthmus and harbours
 Auckland CBD From Across the Water
Auckland CBD From Across the Water
Auckland lies on and around an isthmus, less than two km wide at its narrowest point, between Mangere Inlet and Tamaki River. There are two harbours in the Auckland urban area surrounding this isthmus, Waitemata Harbour to the north, which opens east to the Hauraki Gulf, and Manukau Harbour to the south, which opens west to the Tasman Sea.
Bridges span both of these harbours, Auckland Harbour Bridge on Waitemata Harbour and Mangere Bridge on Manukau Harbour.
Climate
Auckland has a warm-temperate climate, with warm, humid summers and cool but damp and lengthy winters. January temperatures average 21-24 °C. February and March are typically warmer than January, and July maximum temperatures average 14-16 °C. High levels of rainfall occur almost year-round (over 1100 mm per year), especially in winter. Climatic conditions vary in different parts of the city owing to geography such as hills, trees and ocean wind currents. Snow has never been recorded in Auckland, although a heavy hailstorm in the 1950s was mistaken for snow by many residents, unlike some South Island cities which may get snow most years. It has snowed north of Auckland, at Kaikohe.
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Attractive aspects of Auckland life are its mild climate, plentiful employment and educational opportunities, and numerous leisure facilities. For quality of life, Auckland currently ranks eighth equal behind Geneva in a survey of the world's top 55 cities. (Link: Mercer Consulting quality of life survey)
Leisure
 City Of Sails
City Of Sails
Auckland is popularly known as the "City of Sails" because the harbour is often dotted with hundreds of yachts. Viaduct Basin hosted two America's Cup challenges, and its cafes, restaurants, and clubs add to Auckland's vibrant nightlife. High Street, Queen Street, Ponsonby Road, and Karangahape Road are also very popular with urban socialites. Newmarket and Parnell are upmarket shopping centres. Otara's and Avondale's famous fleamarkets and Victoria Park Market are a colourful alternative shopping experience.
Waitemata Harbour has popular beaches at Devonport, Takapuna, Long Bay and Maraetai, and the west coast has popular surf spots at Piha and Muriwai. Many Auckland beaches are patrolled by Surf Lifesaving clubs which are part of the Surf Lifesaving Northern Region.
Pleasant ferry trips go to Devonport, Auckland Domain, Albert Park, One Tree Hill Domain and Western Springs. Auckland has its fair share of rugby and cricket grounds (notably Eden Park), and venues for motorsports, tennis, badminton, swimming, soccer, rugby league, and many other sports.
Every year in March, an 8.4-km (5.2-mile) New Zealand history">1972.
The Auckland Town Hall and Aotea Centre host conferences and cultural events such as theatre, National Maritime Museum, and the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT). Exotic creatures can be observed at the Auckland Zoo and Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World. Movies and rock concerts (notably, the "Big Day Out") are also well patronised.
Work
 Auckland CBD from Sky Tower.
Auckland CBD from Sky Tower.
Every business day, many professional workers commute from all points of the city to downtown Auckland. Most major international corporations have an Auckland office. The most expensive office space is around lower Queen Street and the Viaduct Basin. A large proportion of the technical and trades workforce is based in the industrial zones of South Auckland.
Housing
The most common residence of Aucklanders is a bungalow on a "quarter acre" (1,000 mē), with the resulting large urban sprawl and reliance on motor vehicles. The regional council is trying to curb this trend, with housing density strategies such as more townhouses and apartments, and prohibiting subdivision of properties on the city fringes.
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 Auckland Sky Tower
Auckland Sky Tower
Auckland's Sky Tower, the tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere, stands 328 m tall.
Mount Eden's summit arguably offers Auckland's best views. It is the highest point in Auckland. However, there is local concern about the environmental impact the large numbers of tourist buses are having on the cone - they're said to be literally (if slowly) squashing it.
One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie) - a volcanic cone which dominates the skyline in the southern inner suburbs. It no longer has a tree on top.
Mount Victoria although slightly out-of-the-way for the casual tourist, offers a spectacular view of the city. A brisk walk from the Devonport Ferry terminal, the cone is steeped in history as is the nearby North Head.
Rangitoto Island - guards the entrance to Waitemata Harbour, and forms a prominent feature on the eastern horizon.
Rugby and Black Caps cricket matches.
Ericsson Stadium - a stadium used mainly for rugby league and soccer matches.
Western Springs Stadium - a natural amphitheatre used mainly for speedway races and rock and pop concerts.
Aotea Square, Queen Street and Karangahape Road- the hub of downtown Auckland.
Auckland Harbour Bridge - connecting Auckland and the North Shore, is an iconic symbol of Auckland.
Viaduct Basin - Marina in downtown Auckland, venue for the America's Cup regatta 2000 and 2003. It is now a thriving commercial centre.
Botany Town Centre, Howick - a complete shopping complex, one of the largest in Auckland including a cinema, bowling alley, food court and many shops to visit.
 Panoramic view over Auckland from Mount Eden
Panoramic view over Auckland from Mount Eden
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Auckland City Council: aucklandcity.govt.nz
Tourism Auckland: aucklandnz.com, auckland-life.com
Leisure & Lifestyle: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Street maps: 1, 2
Healthcare: Auckland, Waitemata, Counties Manukau
News: nzherald.co.nz
Transport: Buses & trains, Traffic-cams, Airport, Motorway Info
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Volcanoes
Approaching Rangitoto Island from Auckland
Approaching Rangitoto Island from Auckland
Auckland straddles the volcanoes of the Auckland Volcanic Field. The 50 volcanic vents in the field take the form of cones, lakes, lagoons, islands and depressions. Some of the cones have been partly or completely quarried away. The volcanoes are all individually extinct although the volcanic field itself is merely dormant. The most recent and by far the largest volcano, Rangitoto Island, was formed within the last 1000 years. 'Rangi' means 'sky' and 'toto' means 'blood', which indicates it was named by M?ori who had witnessed its eruption. Its size, its symmetry, its position guarding the entrance to Waitemata Harbour and its visibility from many parts of the Auckland region make it Auckland's most iconic natural feature. Rangitoto is eerily quiet as almost no birds and insects have settled on the island because of the rich acidic soil and type of flora that has adapted to grow out of the black broken rocky soil.
Isthmus and harbours
Auckland CBD From Across the Water
Auckland CBD From Across the Water
Auckland lies on and around an isthmus, less than two km wide at its narrowest point, between Mangere Inlet and Tamaki River. There are two harbours in the Auckland urban area surrounding this isthmus, Waitemata Harbour to the north, which opens east to the Hauraki Gulf, and Manukau Harbour to the south, which opens west to the Tasman Sea.
Bridges span both of these harbours, Auckland Harbour Bridge on Waitemata Harbour and Mangere Bridge on Manukau Harbour.
Climate
Auckland has a warm-temperate climate, with warm, humid summers and cool but damp and lengthy winters. January temperatures average 21-24 °C. February and March are typically warmer than January, and July maximum temperatures average 14-16 °C. High levels of rainfall occur almost year-round (over 1100 mm per year), especially in winter. Climatic conditions vary in different parts of the city owing to geography such as hills, trees and ocean wind currents. Snow has never been recorded in Auckland, although a heavy hailstorm in the 1950s was mistaken for snow by many residents, unlike some South Island cities which may get snow most years. It has snowed north of Auckland, at Kaikohe.
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Attractive aspects of Auckland life are its mild climate, plentiful employment and educational opportunities, and numerous leisure facilities. For quality of life, Auckland currently ranks eighth equal behind Geneva in a survey of the world's top 55 cities. (Link: Mercer Consulting quality of life survey)
Leisure
City Of Sails
City Of Sails
Auckland is popularly known as the "City of Sails" because the harbour is often dotted with hundreds of yachts. Viaduct Basin hosted two America's Cup challenges, and its cafes, restaurants, and clubs add to Auckland's vibrant nightlife. High Street, Queen Street, Ponsonby Road, and Karangahape Road are also very popular with urban socialites. Newmarket and Parnell are upmarket shopping centres. Otara's and Avondale's famous fleamarkets and Victoria Park Market are a colourful alternative shopping experience.
Waitemata Harbour has popular beaches at Devonport, Takapuna, Long Bay and Maraetai, and the west coast has popular surf spots at Piha and Muriwai. Many Auckland beaches are patrolled by Surf Lifesaving clubs which are part of the Surf Lifesaving Northern Region.
Pleasant ferry trips go to Devonport, Auckland Domain, Albert Park, One Tree Hill Domain and Western Springs. Auckland has its fair share of rugby and cricket grounds (notably Eden Park), and venues for motorsports, tennis, badminton, swimming, soccer, rugby league, and many other sports.
Every year in March, an 8.4-km (5.2-mile) New Zealand history">1972.
The Auckland Town Hall and Aotea Centre host conferences and cultural events such as theatre, National Maritime Museum, and the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT). Exotic creatures can be observed at the Auckland Zoo and Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World. Movies and rock concerts (notably, the "Big Day Out") are also well patronised.
Work
Auckland CBD from Sky Tower.
Auckland CBD from Sky Tower.
Every business day, many professional workers commute from all points of the city to downtown Auckland. Most major international corporations have an Auckland office. The most expensive office space is around lower Queen Street and the Viaduct Basin. A large proportion of the technical and trades workforce is based in the industrial zones of South Auckland.
Housing
The most common residence of Aucklanders is a bungalow on a "quarter acre" (1,000 mē), with the resulting large urban sprawl and reliance on motor vehicles. The regional council is trying to curb this trend, with housing density strategies such as more townhouses and apartments, and prohibiting subdivision of properties on the city fringes.
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Auckland Sky Tower
Auckland Sky Tower
Auckland's Sky Tower, the tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere, stands 328 m tall.
Mount Eden's summit arguably offers Auckland's best views. It is the highest point in Auckland. However, there is local concern about the environmental impact the large numbers of tourist buses are having on the cone - they're said to be literally (if slowly) squashing it.
One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie) - a volcanic cone which dominates the skyline in the southern inner suburbs. It no longer has a tree on top.
Mount Victoria although slightly out-of-the-way for the casual tourist, offers a spectacular view of the city. A brisk walk from the Devonport Ferry terminal, the cone is steeped in history as is the nearby North Head.
Rangitoto Island - guards the entrance to Waitemata Harbour, and forms a prominent feature on the eastern horizon.
Rugby and Black Caps cricket matches.
Ericsson Stadium - a stadium used mainly for rugby league and soccer matches.
Western Springs Stadium - a natural amphitheatre used mainly for speedway races and rock and pop concerts.
Aotea Square, Queen Street and Karangahape Road- the hub of downtown Auckland.
Auckland Harbour Bridge - connecting Auckland and the North Shore, is an iconic symbol of Auckland.
Viaduct Basin - Marina in downtown Auckland, venue for the America's Cup regatta 2000 and 2003. It is now a thriving commercial centre.
Botany Town Centre, Howick - a complete shopping complex, one of the largest in Auckland including a cinema, bowling alley, food court and many shops to visit.
Panoramic view over Auckland from Mount Eden
Panoramic view over Auckland from Mount Eden
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Auckland City Council: aucklandcity.govt.nz
Tourism Auckland: aucklandnz.com, auckland-life.com
Leisure & Lifestyle: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Street maps: 1, 2
Healthcare: Auckland, Waitemata, Counties Manukau
News: nzherald.co.nz
Transport: Buses & trains, Traffic-cams, Airport, Motorway Info
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Hotels in New Zealand - Auckland >>
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