Auckland: Difference between revisions

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{{otheruses4|the Auckland metropolitan area|the [[territorial authority]] within the metropolitan area|Auckland City|the region encompassing the Auckland metropolitan area|Auckland Region|all other uses|Auckland (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox Settlement
<!--See Template:Infobox Settlement for additional fields that may be available-->
<!--See the Table at Infobox Settlement for all fields and descriptions of usage-->
<!-- Basic info ---------------->
|name = Auckland <!-- at least one of the first two fields must be filled in -->
|official_name =
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|native_name = Tāmaki-makau-rau <small>([[Māori language|Māori]])</small>
|nickname = City of Sails,<br /> Queen City (now rarely used)<!-- http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/search.cfm?kw1=%22Queen%20city%22&kw2=&op=all&searchorder=2&display=20&start=0&thepage=1 -->
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<!-- images and maps ----------->
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<!-- Location ------------------>
|subdivision_type = Country
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|subdivision_type1 = [[Islands of New Zealand|Island]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[North Island]]
|subdivision_type2 = [[Regions of New Zealand|Region]]
|subdivision_name2 = [[Auckland Region|Auckland]]
|subdivision_type3 = [[Territorial authorities of New Zealand|Territorial authorities]]
|subdivision_name3 = [[Auckland City]] <br> [[Manukau City]] <br> [[Waitakere City]] <br> [[North Shore City]] <br> [[Papakura District]] <br> [[Rodney District]] (part) <br> [[Franklin District]] (part)
<!-- Electorates -------------->
|parts_type=Electorates
|p1= Auckland Central
|p2= Botany
|p3= East Coast Bays
|p4= [[Epsom (New Zealand electorate)|Epsom electorate]]
|p5= Helensville
|p6= Hunua
|p7= Māngere
|p8= Manukau East
|p9= Manurewa
|p10= Maungakiekie
|p11= Mt Albert
|p12= Mt Roskill
|p13= New Lynn
|p14= North Shore
|p15= Northcote
|p16= Pakuranga
|p17= Papakura
|p18= Tāmaki
|p19= Te Atatū
|p20= Waitakere
<!-- Politics ----------------->
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|title = Multiple
|frame_style = border:none; padding: 0;
|title_style = <!-- (optional) -->
|list_style = text-align:left;display:none;
|1 = [[John Banks (New Zealand)|John Banks]]
|2 = [[Len Brown]]
|3 = [[Bob Harvey (mayor)|Bob Harvey]]
|4 = [[John Law (New Zealand)|John Law]]
|5 = [[Andrew Williams (New Zealand)|Andrew Williams]]
}}
|established_title = Settled by Māori
|established_date = [[circa|c.]] 1350
|established_title1 = Settled by Europeans
|established_date1 = c. 1840
<!-- Area --------------------->
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<!-- Population ----------------------->
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|population_blank1_title = [[Demonym]]
|population_blank1 = Aucklander
<!-- General information --------------->
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|coor_pinpoint = <ref name="coor">{{cite web|url=http://earth-info.nga.mil/gns/html/cntry_files.html|dateformat=mdy | accessdate =August 2006|title=GEOnet Names Server (GNS)}}</ref>
|latd=36 |latm=51 |lats= |latNS=S
|longd=174 |longm=47 |longs= |longEW=E
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->
|blank_name = Local [[iwi]]
|blank_info = [[Ngāti Ākarana]]
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|postal_code =
|area_code = 09
|website = [http://www.aucklandnz.com/ http://www.aucklandnz.com/]
|footnotes =
}}

The '''Auckland metropolitan area''' or '''Greater Auckland''', in the [[North Island]] of [[New Zealand]], is the largest and most populous [[urban areas of New Zealand|urban area in the country]] with over 1.3 million residents, {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data||y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data|New Zealand|y}}|R}}*100|0}} percent of the country's population.{{NZ population data||||y}} Demographic trends indicate that it will continue to grow faster than the rest of the country. Increasingly cosmopolitan, Auckland also has the largest [[Polynesian]] population of any city in the world,<ref>[http://www.roughguides.com/website/travel/destination/content/?titleid=83&xid=idh185804920_0099 Auckland and around] (from the [[Rough Guide]] website)</ref> and has seen many people of Asian ethnicity move there in the last two decades.

It is a metropolitan region made up of [[Auckland City]] (excluding the Hauraki Gulf islands), [[North Shore, New Zealand|North Shore City]], and the urban parts of [[Waitakere]] and [[Manukau]] cities, along with [[Papakura|Papakura District]] and some nearby urban parts of [[Rodney District|Rodney]] and [[Franklin District]]s. In [[Māori language|Māori]] its name is '''Tāmaki-makau-rau''', or the transliterated version of Auckland, '''Ākarana'''.

Auckland lies between the [[Hauraki Gulf]] of the [[Pacific Ocean]] to the east, the low [[Hunua Ranges]] to the south-east, the [[Manukau Harbour]] to the south-west, and the [[Waitakere Ranges]] and smaller ranges to the west and north-west. The central part of the urban area occupies a narrow [[isthmus]] between the [[Manukau Harbour]] on the [[Tasman Sea]] and the [[Waitemata Harbour]] on the [[Pacific Ocean]]. It is one of the few cities in the world to have harbours on two separate major bodies of water.

==History==
:''Main article [[History of Auckland]]''

===Early Māori and Europeans===
The isthmus was first settled around 1350 and was valued for its rich and fertile land. Many ''[[Pā (Māori)|pā]]'' (fortified villages) were created, mainly on the volcanic peaks. Māori population in the area is estimated at about 20,000 people before the arrival of Europeans.<ref>{{cite book|title= New Zealand|author=[[Ferdinand von Hochstetter]]|year=1867|pages=243 |url=http://www.enzb.auckland.ac.nz/document/1867_-_von_Hochstetter%2C_Ferdinand._New_Zealand/CHAPTER_XI%3A_The_Isthmus_of_Auckland}} </ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arkeologi.uu.se/afr/projects/BOOK/Bulmer/bulmer.pdf|title=''City without a state? Urbanisation in pre-European Taamaki-makau-rau (Auckland, New Zealand)''|author=Sarah Bulmer|accessdate=2007-10-03}}</ref> The subsequent introduction of firearms, which began in Northland, upset the balance of power and led to devastating inter-tribal warfare, causing [[iwi]] who lacked the new weapons to seek refuge in areas less exposed to coastal raids. As a result, the region had relatively low numbers of Māori when European settlement of New Zealand began. There is, however, nothing to suggest that this was the result of a deliberate European policy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/NewZealanders/MaoriNewZealanders/NgatiWhatua/3/en|title=Ngāti Whātua - European contact|work=[[Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand]]|accessdate=2007-10-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Penguin History of New Zealand|author=[[Michael King]]|isbn=0-14-301867-1|year=2003|pages=135|publisher=Penguin Books|location=Auckland, N.Z.}}</ref> On 27 January 1832, Joseph Brooks Weller, eldest of the [[Weller brothers]] of [[Otago]] and [[Sydney]] 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".<ref>George Weller’s Claim to lands in the Hauraki Gulf - transcript of original in National Archives, ms-0439/03 (A-H) HC.</ref>

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 the [[George Eden, 1st Earl of Auckland|George Eden, Earl of Auckland]], then [[Viceroy of India]].<ref name="DOING">''[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CEFD6123BF936A15752C1A966958260&scp=31&sq=auckland&st=nyt What's Doing In; Auckland]'' - ''[[The New York Times]]'', 25 November 1990</ref> However, even in 1840 [[Port Nicholson]] (later [[Wellington]]) was seen as a better choice for an administrative capital because of its proximity to the [[South Island]], which was being settled much more rapidly. At the same time, Auckland was the capital and principal city of the [[Auckland Province]], remaining so until the provincial system was abolished in 1876. Immigration to the new city remained strong, however, even after it lost its status as national capital in 1865.

===Growth up to today===
In the early 1860s, Auckland became a base against the [[Māori King Movement]]. This, and continued road building towards the south into the [[Waikato]], enabled [[Pākehā]] (European New Zealanders) influence to spread from Auckland. Its population also grew fairly rapidly, from 1,500 in 1841 to 12,423 by 1864. The growth occurred similarly to other [[mercantile]]-dominated cities, mainly around the port and with problems of overcrowding and pollution.

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; arterial roads and motorways have become both defining and geographically dividing features of the urban landscape. They also allowed further massive expansion that resulted in the growth of associated urban areas like the [[North Shore, New Zealand|North Shore]] (especially after the construction of the [[Auckland Harbour Bridge]]), and [[Manukau City]] in the south.

A large percentage of Auckland is still dominated by a very [[suburban]] style of building, giving the city a very low [[population density]]. Although it has no more than a sixth of the population of [[London]], it sprawls over an area almost as large (over 1,000&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), making some services like public transport costlier than in other, high-density, cities,<ref name="WIKI">References provided in [[Transport in Auckland]] and [[Public transport in Auckland]]</ref> but also allowing most Aucklanders to live in similar residential houses as the rest of New Zealand, though the section sizes are much smaller than in most of the rest of the country.

==Future growth==
[[Image:Auckland urban area.png|thumb|270px|right|The urbanised extents of Auckland shown in grey.]]
Auckland is expecting substantial population growth via immigration and natural population increases (which contribute to growth at about one-third and two-thirds, respectively)<ref>[http://www.arc.govt.nz/arc/auckland-region/growth/can-we-stop-growth.cfm Can We Stop growth?] (from the [[Auckland Regional Council|ARC]] website)</ref>, and is set to grow to an estimated 2 million inhabitants by 2050.<ref name="ARCGRO">[http://www.arc.govt.nz/albany/fms/main/Documents/Auckland/Aucklands%20growth/Auckland%20regional%20growth%20strategy.pdf Executive Summary] ([[PDF]]) (from the Auckland Regional Growth Strategy document, [[Auckland Regional Council|ARC]], November 1999. Retrieved 2007-10-14.)</ref> This substantial increase in population will have a major impact on transport, housing and other infrastructure that is in many cases already considered under pressure. It is also feared by some organisations, such as the [[Auckland Regional Council]], that [[urban sprawl]] will result from the growth and, as a result, that it is necessary to address this proactively in planning [[policy]].

A 'Regional Growth Strategy' has been adopted that sees limits on further subdivision and intensification of existing use as its main [[sustainability]] measures.<ref>''[http://portal.jarbury.net/thesis.pdf From Urban Sprawl to Compact City: an analysis of Auckland's Urban Growth Management Strategies]'' - Arbury, Joshua - MA Thesis, University of Auckland</ref> This policy is contentious, as it naturally limits the uses of private land, especially the subdivision of urban fringe properties,<ref name="GREEN">''[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=139&objectid=10436540 Green belt under siege]'' - ''[[The New Zealand Herald]]'', Saturday 28 April 2007</ref> by setting 'Metropolitan Urban Limits' in planning documents like the [[District Plan]].<ref>[http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/documents/growthstrategy/docs/Glossary.pdf Growth Strategy: Glossary and References] ([[PDF]]) (from the [[Auckland City Council]])</ref>

A related issue is the current discussion about local government, with widely differing views. Some Aucklanders blame limited progress on Auckland's issues on poor governance and the fragmentation of the city into various councils (currently seven "City/District" authorities, plus one "Regional" authority). Others point to the fact that a previous integration of the many much smaller Borough Councils did not bring the promised advantages either, and reduced local participation in politics.<ref>''[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/feature/story.cfm?c_id=1501110&objectid=10399953 Lessons from the history of local body amalgamation]'' - ''[[The New Zealand Herald]]'', Wednesday 06 September 2006</ref> In 2007, the government set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry which will report back on what restructuring should be done.<ref>''[http://www.stuff.co.nz/0a11.html4147429a11.html Auckland governance inquiry welcomed]'' - [[NZPA]], via 'stuff.co.nz', Tuesday 31 July 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-29.</ref><ref>''[http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?l=1&t=97&id=4113 Royal commission of inquiry for Auckland welcomed]'' - [[NZPA]], via 'infonews.co.nz', Tuesday 31 July 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-29 </ref>

==Geography and climate==
[[Image:Rangitoto Island North Head.jpg|thumb|left|270px|[[Rangitoto]] island as seen from [[North Head, New Zealand|North Head]].]]
===Volcanoes===
Auckland straddles the [[volcano]]es of the [[Auckland Volcanic Field]]. The approximately 50 volcanic vents in the field take the form of cones, lakes, lagoons, islands and depressions, and several have produced extensive lava flows. Most of the cones have been partly or completely [[quarry|quarried]] away. The individual volcanoes are all considered extinct, although the volcanic field itself is merely [[dormant volcano|dormant]].

The most recent and by far the largest volcano, [[Rangitoto Island]], was formed within the last 1000 years, and its eruptions destroyed the Māori settlements on neighbouring [[Motutapu Island]] some 700 years ago. Rangitoto's 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. Few birds and insects inhabit the island because of the rich acidic soil and the type of flora growing out of the rocky soil.
[[Image:Auckland20061016222837.jpg|thumb|270px|right|Auckland and the inner [[Hauraki Gulf]] from space.]]

===Harbours and Gulf===
Auckland lies on and around an [[isthmus]], less than 2 kilometres wide at its narrowest point, between [[Mangere Inlet]] and the [[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 parts of both harbours, notably the [[Auckland Harbour Bridge]] crossing the Waitemata Harbour west of the [[Auckland CBD|Auckland Central Business District]] (CBD). The [[Mangere Bridge]] and the [[Upper Harbour Bridge]] span the upper reaches of the Manukau and Waitemata Harbours, respectively. In earlier times, [[portage]] paths crossed the narrowest sections of the isthmus.

Several islands of the [[Hauraki Gulf]] are administered as part of Auckland City, though they are not officially part of the Auckland metropolitan area. Parts of [[Waiheke Island]] effectively function as [[Suburbs of Auckland, New Zealand|Auckland suburbs]], while various smaller islands near Auckland are mostly zoned 'recreational open space' or are nature sanctuaries.

===Climate===
[[Image:Auckland cbd view.jpg|thumb|left|270px|View of the [[Auckland Central Business District]].]]

Auckland has a warm-[[temperate climate]], with warm, humid summers and mild, damp winters. It is the warmest main centre of New Zealand and is also one of the sunniest, with an average of 2060 sunshine hours per annum<ref name="NIWA">{{cite web|url=http://www.niwascience.co.nz/edu/resources/climate/summary|title=Climate Summary for 1971-2000|publisher=[[National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research]]}}</ref> The average daily maximum temperature is 23.7 [[Celsius|°C]] in February, and 14.5 [[Celsius|°C]] in July, the absolute maximum recorded temperature is 32.4 °C<ref name="high2009">{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10556442|title=Auckland enjoys hottest day ever}}</ref>, while the absolute minimum is -2.5.<ref name="NIWA" /> High levels of rainfall occur almost year-round with an average of 1240&nbsp;mm per year spread over 137 'rain days'. <ref name="NIWA" /> Climatic conditions vary in different parts of the city owing to geography such as hills, land cover and distance from the sea, hence unofficial temperature records exist, such as a maximum of 34 °C in west Auckland.<ref name="high2009"/> On [[27 July]] [[1939]] Auckland received its only recorded snowfall.<ref name="snow">{{cite web|url=http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/memwebsite.NSF/Files/Tephra2003-Snowstorms/$file/Tephra2003-Snowstorms.pdf|dateformat=mdy|accessdate=August 2006|title=Snowstorms ([[PDF]])}}</ref>

The early morning calm on the isthmus during settled weather, before the sea breeze rises, was described as early as 1853: ''"In all seasons, the beauty of the day is in the early morning. At that time, generally, a solemn stillness holds, and a perfect calm prevails..."'' Many Aucklanders used this time of day to walk and run in parks.<ref name=1853_morning>''Auckland, the Capital of New Zealand'' - [[William Swainson (lawyer)|Swainson, William]], Smith Elder, 1853</ref>

As car ownership rates are very high and emissions controls relatively weak, Auckland suffers from some [[air pollution]], especially in regards to [[fine particles]] emissions. There are also regular breaches of guideline levels of [[carbon monoxide]].<ref> [http://www.arc.govt.nz/arc/index.cfm?7AB56726-21F1-4D53-A079-BFC1CE8CDF25&container2edit=330249C7-97BB-41BD-9801-9A71815A8871#pollut How Polluted is Auckland's Air] (from the [[Auckland Regional Council]] website)</ref> While maritime winds normally disperse the pollution relatively quickly it can sometimes become visible as [[smog]], especially on calm winter days.

{{Infobox Weather
|metric_first=Yes <!--Entering Yes will swap unit order to metric first. Leave blank for Imperial-->
|single_line= Yes <!--Entering Yes will compact the infobox vertically by placing some units on same line.-->
|location = [[Auckland]]
|Jan_Hi_°F =73.9 |Jan_Hi_°C =23.3 |Jan_REC_Hi_°F = |Jan_REC_Lo_°F= <!--REC temps are optional; use sparely-->
|Feb_Hi_°F =74.7 |Feb_Hi_°C =23.7 |Feb_REC_Hi_°F = |Feb_REC_Lo_°F =
|Mar_Hi_°F =72.3 |Mar_Hi_°C =22.4 |Mar_REC_Hi_°F = |Mar_REC_Lo_°F =
|Apr_Hi_°F =68.0 |Apr_Hi_°C =20.0 |Apr_REC_Hi_°F = |Apr_REC_Lo_°F =
|May_Hi_°F =63.3 |May_Hi_°C =17.4 |May_REC_Hi_°F = |May_REC_Lo_°F =
|Jun_Hi_°F =59.4 |Jun_Hi_°C =15.2 |Jun_REC_Hi_°F = |Jun_REC_Lo_°F =
|Jul_Hi_°F =58.1 |Jul_Hi_°C =14.5 |Jul_REC_Hi_°F = |Jul_REC_Lo_°F =
|Aug_Hi_°F =59.0 |Aug_Hi_°C =15.0 |Aug_REC_Hi_°F = |Aug_REC_Lo_°F =
|Sep_Hi_°F =61.2 |Sep_Hi_°C =16.2 |Sep_REC_Hi_°F = |Sep_REC_Lo_°F =
|Oct_Hi_°F =64.1 |Oct_Hi_°C =17.8 |Oct_REC_Hi_°F = |Oct_REC_Lo_°F =
|Nov_Hi_°F =67.3 |Nov_Hi_°C =19.6 |Nov_REC_Hi_°F = |Nov_REC_Lo_°F =
|Dec_Hi_°F =70.9 |Dec_Hi_°C =21.6 |Dec_REC_Hi_°F = |Dec_REC_Lo_°F =
|Year_Hi_°F =66.0 |Year_Hi_°C =18.9 |Year_REC_Hi_°F = |Year_REC_Lo_°F =
|Jan_Lo_°F =59.6 |Jan_Lo_°C =15.3 |Jan_REC_Hi_°C = |Jan_REC_Lo_°C =
|Feb_Lo_°F =60.5 |Feb_Lo_°C =15.8 |Feb_REC_Hi_°C = |Feb_REC_Lo_°C =
|Mar_Lo_°F =58.3 |Mar_Lo_°C =14.6 |Mar_REC_Hi_°C = |Mar_REC_Lo_°C =
|Apr_Lo_°F =54.2 |Apr_Lo_°C =12.3 |Apr_REC_Hi_°C = |Apr_REC_Lo_°C =
|May_Lo_°F =50.0 |May_Lo_°C =10.0 |May_REC_Hi_°C = |May_REC_Lo_°C =
|Jun_Lo_°F =46.4 |Jun_Lo_°C =8.0 |Jun_REC_Hi_°C = |Jun_REC_Lo_°C =
|Jul_Lo_°F =44.8 |Jul_Lo_°C =7.1 |Jul_REC_Hi_°C = |Jul_REC_Lo_°C =
|Aug_Lo_°F =45.7 |Aug_Lo_°C =7.6 |Aug_REC_Hi_°C = |Aug_REC_Lo_°C =
|Sep_Lo_°F =48.0 |Sep_Lo_°C =8.9 |Sep_REC_Hi_°C = |Sep_REC_Lo_°C =
|Oct_Lo_°F =50.9 |Oct_Lo_°C =10.5 |Oct_REC_Hi_°C = |Oct_REC_Lo_°C =
|Nov_Lo_°F =53.8 |Nov_Lo_°C =12.1 |Nov_REC_Hi_°C = |Nov_REC_Lo_°C =
|Dec_Lo_°F =57.0 |Dec_Lo_°C =13.9 |Dec_REC_Hi_°C = |Dec_REC_Lo_°C =
|Year_Lo_°F =52.4 |Year_Lo_°C =11.3 |Year_REC_Hi_°C = |Year_REC_Lo_°C =
|Jan_Precip_inch = 2.95
|Feb_Precip_inch = 2.56
|Mar_Precip_inch = 3.70
|Apr_Precip_inch = 4.13
|May_Precip_inch = 4.06
|Jun_Precip_inch = 5.47
|Jul_Precip_inch = 5.75
|Aug_Precip_inch = 4.76
|Sep_Precip_inch = 4.57
|Oct_Precip_inch = 3.58
|Nov_Precip_inch = 3.66
|Dec_Precip_inch = 3.58
|Year_Precip_inch =48.82
<!--****If the source reports in metric units, use the unit reported by the source--mm or cm ****-->
|Jan_Precip_cm = |Jan_Precip_mm = 75
|Feb_Precip_cm = |Feb_Precip_mm = 65
|Mar_Precip_cm = |Mar_Precip_mm = 94
|Apr_Precip_cm = |Apr_Precip_mm =105
|May_Precip_cm = |May_Precip_mm =103
|Jun_Precip_cm = |Jun_Precip_mm =139
|Jul_Precip_cm = |Jul_Precip_mm =146
|Aug_Precip_cm = |Aug_Precip_mm =121
|Sep_Precip_cm = |Sep_Precip_mm =116
|Oct_Precip_cm = |Oct_Precip_mm = 91
|Nov_Precip_cm = |Nov_Precip_mm = 93
|Dec_Precip_cm = |Dec_Precip_mm = 91
|Year_Precip_cm = |Year_Precip_mm =1240
|source = NIWA Science climate data<ref name="niwa">{{cite web
| url =http://www.niwascience.co.nz/edu/resources/climate/ | title = Climate Data and Activities| accessmonthday = | accessyear =
| publisher = NIWA Science | language = }}</ref>
|accessdate =
<!--For a second source
|source2 = <ref name= >{{cite web
| url = | title = | accessmonthday = | accessyear =
| publisher = | language = }}</ref> -->
|accessdate2 =
}}<!--Infobox ends-->

==People==
===Cultures===
[[Image:Helen Clark welcomed to Hoani Waititi Marae 2006-02-06.jpg|thumb|right|270px|Prime Minister [[Helen Clark]] being welcomed onto an Auckland [[marae]].]]
{{See also|Culture of New Zealand}}

Auckland is home to many cultures. The majority of inhabitants claim [[New Zealand European|European]] - predominantly [[British people|British]] - descent, but substantial [[Māori]], [[Pacific Islander]] and [[Asian people|Asian]] communities exist as well. Auckland has the largest [[Polynesia]]n population of any city in the world and a higher proportion of people of Asian origin than the rest of New Zealand. Ethnic groups from all corners of the world have a presence in Auckland, making it by far the country's most [[Cosmopolitanism|cosmopolitan]] city.

===Demographics===
The proportion of Asians and other Non-European immigrants has increased during the last decades due to immigration,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stats.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/7F0D2AFF-54F4-4CE9-BE7C-974597403FCB/0/Auckland.pdf|format=PDF|title=New Zealand - A Regional Profile - Auckland|publisher=[[Statistics New Zealand]]|accessdate=2007-10-03|year=1999|pages=19-20}}</ref> and the [[Immigration to New Zealand|removal of restrictions directly or indirectly based on race]]. Immigration to New Zealand is heavily concentrated towards Auckland (partly for job market reasons). This strong focus on Auckland has led the immigration services to award extra points towards immigration visa requirements for people intending to move to other parts of New Zealand.<ref>[http://www.immigration.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/4DAD508D-CC26-425A-A57B-D2AF557C8510/0/1003.pdf Residence in New Zealand] ([[PDF]]) (Page 08, from the [[Immigration New Zealand]] website. Accessed 2008-01-18.)</ref>

The following table shows the ethnic profile of Auckland's population, as recorded in the 2001 and 2006 [[New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings|New Zealand Census]]. The percentages add up to more than 100%, as some people counted themselves as belonging to more than one ethnic group. Figures for 2006 refer to the whole Auckland Region, not just the urban area. The substantial percentage drop of 'Europeans' was mainly caused by the increasing numbers of people from this group choosing to define themselves as 'New Zealanders' - even though this was not one of the groups listed on the census form.

{| class="wikitable"
! Ethnic Group !! 2001 (%)<ref name="2001 Census">[http://www.stats.govt.nz/census/2001-census-data/2001-regional-summary/default.htm 2001 Regional Summary] (from the [[Statistics New Zealand]] website)</ref> !! 2001 (people) !! 2006 (%)<ref name="2006 Census">[http://www.stats.govt.nz/census/2006-census-data/regional-summary-tables.htm 2006 Regional Summary Tables by Regional Council] (from the [[Statistics New Zealand]] website)</ref> !! 2006 (people)
|-
|[[New Zealand European]] || 66.9 || 684,237 || 56.5 || 698,622
|-
|[[Pacific Islander|Pacific Island]] || 14.9 || 152,508 || 14.4 || 177,936
|-
|[[Asian people|Asian]] || 14.6 || 149,121 || 18.9 || 234,222
|-
|[[Māori]] || 11.5 || 117,513 || 11.1 || 137,133
|-
|[[Middle Easterners]]/[[Latin Americans]]/[[Africans]]|| ''n/a'' || ''n/a'' || 1.5 || 18,555
|-
|Others || 1.3 || 13,455 || 0.1 || 648
|-
|'New Zealanders' || ''n/a'' || ''n/a'' || 8.0 || 99,258
|-
|'''Total giving their ethnicity''' || || 1,022,616 (individuals) || || 1,237,239 (individuals)
|}

The 2006 Census also provides information about the [[multilingual]]ity of the region. Accordingly, 867,825 people in the Auckland Region spoke one language only, while 274,863 spoke two, and 57,051 could converse in three or more languages.<ref name="2006 Census"/>
[[Image:20041216 auckland skyline night.jpg|thumb|270px|right|Sky Tower illuminated in [[Christmas]] colours during December.]]

===Religion===
Similar to the rest of the country, over half of Aucklanders profess [[Christianity]], but fewer than 10% regularly attend church and almost 40% profess no religious affiliation (2001 census figures). The main denominations are [[Roman Catholic]], [[Anglican]] and [[Presbyterian]]. [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]] and [[Charismatic movement|charismatic]] churches are the fastest growing. A small community of [[Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria|Coptic Orthodox Christians]] is also present.<ref>[http://www.teara.govt.nz/NewZealanders/NewZealandPeoples/Africans/2/ENZ-Resources/Standard/4/en Pope Shenouda III visits New Zealand] (from [[Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand]]. Accessed 2008-05-25.)</ref>

Recent immigration from Asia has added to the religious diversity of the city, so now about 10% of the population follow such beliefs as [[Buddhism]], [[Hinduism]], [[Islam]] and [[Sikhism]], although there are no figures on religious attendance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stats.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/D5B067F9-7A06-483D-A6B9-D438E81ABAC2/0/AucklandCity.pdf|title=What we look like locally|page=7|publisher=Statistics New Zealand}}</ref> There is also a small, long-established [[Judaism|Jewish]] community.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ahc.org.nz/intro.php|title=Auckland Hebrew Community ~ Introduction page|accessdate=2008-09-18}}</ref>

==Lifestyle==
Positive aspects of Auckland life are its mild climate, plentiful employment and educational opportunities, as well as numerous leisure facilities. Meanwhile, traffic problems (compared to other New Zealand cities), the lack of good public transport, and increasing housing costs have been cited by many Aucklanders as among the strongest negative factors of living there,<ref name=criticisms> [http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/auckland/transport/ctc/theproject.asp Central Transit Corridor Project] ([[Auckland City]] website, includes mention of effects of transport on public satisfaction)</ref> together with crime.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/auckland/introduction/safer/crimesafety/police.asp|title=Crime and safety profile - 2003|publisher=[[Auckland City Council]]|accessdate=2007-06-08}}</ref> Nonetheless, Auckland currently ranks 5th in a survey of the [[List of cities by quality of living|quality of life]] of 218 major cities of the world (2008 data, rank unchanged since 2006).<ref>[http://www.citymayors.com/features/quality_survey.html City Mayors: Best cities in the world (Mercer)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref name=top_cities> [http://www.mercer.com/referencecontent.jhtml?idContent=1307990 Quality of Living global city rankings] ([[Mercer Management Consulting]], Accessed 10 June 2008).</ref>
In 2006, Auckland placed 23rd on the [[UBS AG|UBS]] list of the world's richest cities.<ref name="rich city">[http://www.citymayors.com/economics/richest_cities.html City Mayors: World's richest cities] ([[UBS AG|UBS]] via www.citymajors.com website, August 2006)</ref>
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[[Image:Auckland-CityOfSails2.jpg|270px|right|thumb|City Of Sails - View over the Westhaven Marina.]]
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[[Image:Auckland - Skyline.jpg|270px|right|thumb|Auckland - Skyline from Westhaven Marina.]]
[[Image:Auckland.jpg|270px|right|thumb|Auckland - Skyline from Symonds street.]]
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===Leisure===
Auckland is popularly known as the "City of Sails" because the harbour is often dotted with hundreds of yachts and has more per capita than any other city in the world, with around 135,000 [[yacht]]s and [[Launch (boat)|launches]] estimated. Around 60,500 of the country's 149,900 registered yachtsmen also come from the Auckland Region.<ref>''[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10405832 Punters love City of Sails]'' - ''[[The New Zealand Herald]]'', Saturday 14 October 2006</ref><ref name="Heraldyacht"/> [[Viaduct Basin]] also hosted two [[America's Cup]] challenges ([[2000 America’s Cup|2000 Cup]] and [[2003 America’s Cup|2003 Cup]]), and its cafes, restaurants, and clubs add to Auckland's vibrant nightlife. With the sheltered Waitemata Harbour at its doorstep, Auckland sees many nautical events, and there are also a large number of sailing clubs in Auckland, as well as [[Westhaven Marina]], the largest of the [[Southern Hemisphere]].<ref>[http://www.yachtingnz.org.nz/index.cfm?pageid=124&languageid=1&siteid=135_1 <nowiki>[Sailing Club] directory</nowiki>] (from the yachtingnz.org website)</ref><ref name="Heraldyacht">''[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10365395 Passion for boating runs deep in Auckland]'' - ''[[The New Zealand Herald]]'', Thursday January 26, 2006</ref>


High Street, [[Queen Street, Auckland|Queen Street]], [[Ponsonby, New Zealand|Ponsonby Road]], and [[Karangahape Road]] are also very popular with urban socialites. [[Newmarket, New Zealand|Newmarket]] and [[Parnell, New Zealand|Parnell]] are up-market shopping areas, while [[Otara]]'s and [[Avondale, Auckland|Avondale]]'s famous fleamarkets offer a colourful alternative shopping experience. Newer shopping centre-type developments in the Auckland area tend to be outside of the older city centres, with [[Sylvia Park]] (Sylvia Park, Auckland City), [[Botany Town Centre, Howick|Botany Town Centre]] (Howick, Manukau City) and [[Westfield Albany]] (Albany, North Shore City) being the three largest.

The [[Auckland Town Hall]] and Aotea Centre host conferences and cultural events such as theatre, [[kapa haka]], and opera. Auckland also boasts a full-time professional [[symphonic orchestra|symphonic ensemble]] in the [[Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra]].

Many national treasures are displayed at the [[Auckland Art Gallery]], such as the work of [[Colin McCahon]], while many other significant cultural artefacts reside at the [[Auckland War Memorial Museum]], the [[New Zealand National Maritime Museum|National Maritime Museum]], or 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.
[[Image:View of Aukland from outside city.JPG|thumb|left|270px|[[Auckland CBD]] from the top of [[Mt Eden]].]]

===Parks and nature===
[[Auckland Domain]] is one of the largest parks within the city, situated close to the [[Auckland CBD|CBD]] and having a good view of the Gulf and of [[Rangitoto]] island. Smaller parks also close to the city centre are [[Albert Park, Auckland|Albert Park]], [[Myers Park, Auckland|Myers Park]], [[Western Park, Auckland|Western Park]] and [[Victoria Park, Auckland|Victoria Park]].

While most volcanic cones in the [[Auckland Volcanic Field]] have been affected by quarrying, many of the remaining cones are now ensconced within parks, and retain a somewhat more natural character than the surrounding city. Prehistoric earthworks and historic fortifications feature in several of these parks, including [[Mount Eden]], [[North Head, New Zealand|North Head]] and [[One Tree Hill, New Zealand|One Tree Hill]] (Maungakiekie).

Other parks around the city are in [[Western Springs]], which has a large park bordering on the [[MOTAT]] museum and the [[Auckland Zoo]]. The [[Auckland Botanic Gardens]] are located further south in [[Manurewa]].

Ferries provide transport to parks and nature reserves at [[Devonport, New Zealand|Devonport]], [[Waiheke Island]], [[Rangitoto Island]] and [[Tiritiri Matangi]]. The [[Waitakere Ranges]] Regional Park to the west of Auckland offers beautiful and relatively unspoiled [[The Bush#New Zealand|bush]] territory, as do the [[Hunua Ranges]] to the south.

===Sport===
;Locations

The most popular sports in Auckland and New Zealand in general are [[cricket]] and [[Rugby union|rugby]]. Auckland has a considerable number of rugby and cricket grounds, and venues for motorsports, tennis, badminton, netball, swimming, soccer, rugby league, and many other sports.
* [[ASB Tennis Centre]] is Auckland's premier tennis centre hosting international tournaments for men ([[Heineken Open (tennis)|Heineken Open]]) and women ([[ASB Classic]]) in January each year.
* [[Eden Park]] is the city's primary [[stadium]] and a frequent home for [[All Blacks]] [[rugby union]] and [[New Zealand cricket team|Black Caps]] [[cricket]] matches.
* [[Mt Smart Stadium]] is used mainly for [[rugby league]], [[rugby union]] and [[Association football|soccer]] matches, but also used for concerts.
* [[North Harbour Stadium]] is mainly used for [[Rugby Union|rugby]] and [[Association football|soccer]] but it is also used for concerts.
* [[Vector Arena]] is a new multi-purpose indoor arena, though its comparatively small field will prevent some types of sports from being played here.
* [[Western Springs Stadium]] is a natural [[amphitheatre]] used mainly for [[Race track|speedway]] races, [[rock (music)|rock]] and [[pop (music)|pop]] [[concert]]s.
*[[Trusts Stadium]] is where the [[2007 Netball World Championships]] were held and where many netball games are held.
Waitemata Harbour has popular swimming beaches at [[Mission Bay, New Zealand|Mission Bay]], [[Devonport, New Zealand|Devonport]], [[Takapuna]], Long Bay and Maraetai, and the west coast has popular surf spots such as [[Piha]] and [[Muriwai]]. Many Auckland beaches are patrolled by [[surf lifesaving]] clubs, which are part of [[Surf Life Saving Northern Region]].

;Main teams
{{Main|Blues (Super rugby franchise)}}

The Auckland rugby franchise [[Blues (rugby team)|The Blues]], formerly known as the 'Auckland Blues' is one of the more successful of New Zealand's five [[Super 14]] franchises. Many All Blacks have also come from Auckland.

{{Main|Northern Mystics}}

The [[Northern Mystics]] are one of ten netball teams competing in the new Trans-Tasman ANZ Championship.

{{Main|Auckland Aces}}

Cricket also has a strong following in Auckland. The Auckland cricket franchise, the [[Auckland Aces]] won the [[New Zealand limited-overs cricket trophy|State Shield Trophy]] against the [[Otago cricket team|Otago Volts]] in February 2007. The Aces had narrowly lost against the [[Canterbury Wizards]] the previous year.

{{Main|New Zealand Warriors}}

Previously known as the Auckland Warriors, the New Zealand Warriors represent New Zealand in Australia's [[National Rugby League]] competition. They play their home games at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland. Their most successful year came in 2002 when they finished Minor Premiers and qualified for the Grand Final.

;Major events
<!-- Please DO NOT include championships/tournaments where individual games occur in Auckland, unless the finals for example traditionally always occurs in Auckland -->
Popular annual sporting events include:
* The 'Harbour Crossing' swim from [[Devonport, New Zealand|Devonport]] to the [[Viaduct Basin]], Auckland CBD, is a yearly summer event, covering 2.8 km (often with some considerable counter-currents) and attended by over a thousand mostly amateur competitors. It is New Zealand's largest ocean swim.<ref>[http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/whatson/events/harbour/default.asp Harbour Crossing] (from the [[Auckland City Council]] website. Retrieved 2007-10-24.)</ref>
* The 'Round the Bays' [[road running|fun-run]], starting in the city and going 8.4 kilometres (5.2 miles) along the waterfront to the suburb of [[Saint Heliers, New Zealand|St Heliers]]. It attracts many tens of thousands of people and has been an annual March event since [[Timeline of New Zealand history#1970s|1972]].
* The [[Auckland Marathon]] (and half-marathon), an annual competition for thousands of enthusiasts.

Auckland also hosted the [[1950 British Empire Games]] and the 14th [[1990 Commonwealth Games|Commonwealth Games in 1990]],<ref name="DOING"/> and will host a number of matches (including the semi-final and the final) of the [[2011 Rugby World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzrugbyworldcup.com/RugbyWorldCup.aspx|title=Eden Park to host Final and Semi-Finals|date=[[22 February]][[2008]]}}</ref>

==Economy==
[[Image:Auckland tower.jpg|thumbnail|270px|right|The [[Sky Tower]] is the tallest free-standing structure in the [[Southern Hemisphere]] at 328 m.]]

Most major international corporations have an Auckland office, as the city is seen as the economic capital of the nation. The most expensive office space is around lower [[Queen Street, Auckland|Queen Street]] and the [[Viaduct Basin]] in the [[Auckland CBD]], where many financial and business services are located, which make up a large percentage of the CBD economy.<ref name="GLANCE">[http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/auckland/economy/cbd/glance.asp Auckland's CBD at a glance] (CBD website of the [[Auckland City Council]])</ref> A large proportion of the technical and trades workforce is based in the industrial zones of [[South Auckland]].

The largest commercial and industrial areas of Greater Auckland are in the southeast of Auckland City as well as in the western parts of Manukau City, mostly in the areas bordering the [[Manukau Harbour]] and the [[Tamaki River]] estuary.

Auckland's status as the largest commercial centre of the country reflects in the high median personal income (per working person, per year) which was [[NZ$]]44,304 (approx. [[US$]]33,000) for the region in 2005, with jobs in the Auckland CBD often earning more.<ref name="income1">[http://www.labourmarket.co.nz/regionalprofile_ak.htm Auckland Regional Profile] (from labourmarket.co.nz, composed from various sources)</ref> The median personal income (for all persons older than 15 years of age, per year) was NZ$22,300 (2001),<ref name="income2">[http://www.emigratenz.org/nz-cities-compared.html Comparison of New Zealand's cities] (from ENZ emigration consulting)</ref> behind only [[North Shore City]] (also part of the Greater Auckland area) and [[Wellington]]. While office workers still account for a large part of Auckland's commuters, large office developments in other parts of the city, for example in [[Takapuna]] or [[Albany, New Zealand|Albany]], both [[North Shore City]], are slowly becoming more common, reducing concentration on the Auckland CBD somewhat.

==Education==
Auckland has a number of important educational institutions, including some of the largest universities in the country. Auckland is also known to be a major centre of overseas language education, with large numbers of foreign students (particularly East Asians) coming to the city for several months or years to learn English or study at universities - although numbers New Zealand-wide have dropped substantially since peaking in 2003.<ref>[http://www2.stats.govt.nz/domino/external/pasfull/pasfull.nsf/4c2567ef00247c6a4c2567be0008d2f8/4c2567ef00247c6acc2571b900127ca3?OpenDocument Survey of English Language Providers - Year ended March 2006] (from [[Statistics New Zealand]]. Auckland is assumed to follow national pattern)</ref> As of 2007, there are around 50 [[NZQA]] certified schools and institutes teaching English in the Auckland area.<ref>[http://www.englishnewzealand.ac.nz/All%20Schools/AUCKLAND.html English Language Schools in New Zealand - Auckland] (list linked from the [[Immigration New Zealand]] website)</ref>

<!-- please do not add your favorite school to these lists without discussion on talk page-->
Auckland has a multitude of primary and secondary schools, with the [[Auckland Grammar School]] (for boys), [[Mount Roskill Grammar School]], [[Mount Albert Grammar School]], [[Auckland Girls' Grammar School]] and the [[Epsom Girls' Grammar School]] being amongst the most famous. The city also has several private schools such as [[King's College, Auckland|King's College]], [[Auckland International College]], and [[Diocesan School for Girls (Auckland)|Diocesan School for Girls]]. Auckland contains New Zealand's three largest (by full-time student numbers) high schools: [[Rangitoto College]], [[Avondale College, Auckland|Avondale College]] and [[Massey High School]] respectively. It also contains New Zealand's largest Catholic school, [[St Peter's College, Auckland|St Peter's College]].

Amongst the most important tertiary educational institutes are the [[University of Auckland]] (city and Tamaki Campus), [[Auckland University of Technology]] (city campus), [[Massey University]] (Albany campus) and the [[Manukau Institute of Technology]] (Otara campus), with [[Unitec New Zealand]] (Mt Albert campus) being the largest technical institute in Auckland.

==Housing==
Housing varies considerably between some suburbs having [[state housing|state owned housing]] in the lower income neighbourhoods, to palatial waterfront estates, especially on the Waitemata. Traditionally, the most common residence of Aucklanders was a bungalow on a '[[quarter acre]]' (1,000 m²),<ref name="ARCGRO"/> however subdividing such properties with 'infill housing', has long been the norm. Aucklanders' housing preferences resulting from a lack of apartments and poor public transport has resulted in a large [[urban sprawl]] and reliance on motor vehicles. This will likely continue, as the vast majority of Aucklanders live in low-density housing, which is expected to remain at up to 70% of the total share even in 2050.<ref name="ARCGRO"/>

In some areas, the Victorian [[villas]] are being increasingly torn down to make way for large plaster mansions with tennis courts and swimming pools. The rampant demolition of the older properties is being combated by the Auckland City Council passing laws that cover heritage suburbs or streets. Auckland has been described as having 'the most extensive range of timbered housing with its classical details and mouldings in the world', many of them Victorian-Edwardian style houses.<ref>[http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/documents/district/Part07a.pdf Section 7.6.1.2 - Strategy] ([[PDF]]) (from the [[Auckland City Council]] District Plan - Isthmus Section)</ref>

==Transport==
[[Image:Devonport Wharf Kea Ferry.jpg|thumb|right|270px|[[Ferry]] travel is a popular type of public transport for some Auckland destinations.]]
{{mainarticle|Transport in Auckland|Public transport in Auckland}}

===Travel modes===
;Road and rail
Auckland is highly dependent on private vehicles as the main form of transportation, with only around 5% of all journeys in the Auckland region being undertaken by bus (1998 data),<ref>[http://www.transport.govt.nz/mode-of-transport/ Mode of Transport, Figure for New Zealand Regions] (from the Travel Survey Highlights 1997-98, New Zealand Ministry of Transport)</ref> though these numbers have since improved somewhat. This results in substantial [[traffic congestion]] during peak times.<ref name="NIGHT">''[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10454503 Welcome to our traffic nightmare]'' - ''[[The New Zealand Herald]]'', Sunday 29 July 2007</ref>

Bus services in Auckland are mostly radial rather than [[Beltway|ring]]-routes, due to Auckland being on an [[isthmus]]. Late-night services (i.e. past midnight) are limited, even on weekends. Train services are mainly limited to some commuter services routes to the west and southeast of Auckland, with longer-distance options scarce. Currently (2007) approximately NZ$ 5.3 billion worth of large-scale projects are underway or planned (and budgeted for) in the Auckland area to improve rail and public transport patronage over the next decade, a share of 31% of the whole transport budget.<ref name="WIKI"/><ref>[http://www.arta.co.nz/xxarta/news/media_releasexx.cfm?entryID=B202280C-BCD4-1A24-99B5-C64E69961830 Auckland Transport Plan landmark for transport sector] (from the [[Auckland Regional Transport Authority]] website, 11 August 2007)</ref>

;Other modes
[[Ports of Auckland|Auckland's ports]] are the largest of the country, and a large part of both inbound and outbound New Zealand commerce travels through them, mostly via the facilities located to the northeast of the Auckland City CBD. Freight usually arrives / is distributed from the port via road, though the port facilities also have rail access. Auckland is also a major cruise ship stopover point, with the ships usually tying up at [[Princes Wharf]]. Auckland CBD is also connected to various outlying coastal suburbs, to [[North Shore City]] and to outlying islands by ferry.

Auckland has various small regional airports as well as [[Auckland Airport]], the busiest of the country.

;Policies
Research at [[Griffith University]] has indicated that in the last 50 years, Auckland has engaged in some of the most pro-automobile transport policies anywhere in the world.<ref name="GRIFF">''[http://www.griffith.edu.au/centre/urp/urp_publications/Issues_Papers/URP_IP5_MeesDodsonAucklandTransport_April2006.pdf Backtracking Auckland: Bureaucratic rationality and public preferences in transport planning]'' - Mees, Paul; Dodson, Jago; Urban Research Program Issues Paper 5, [[Griffith University]], April 2006</ref> With public transport declining heavily during the second half of the 20th century (a trend mirrored in most Western countries such as the US),<ref>[http://www.publicpurpose.com/ut-usptshare45.htm US Urban Personal Vehicle & Public Transport Market Share from 1900] (from publicpurpose.com, a website of the [[Wendell Cox]] Consultancy)</ref> and increased spending on roads and cars, New Zealand (and specifically Auckland) now has the second-highest vehicle ownership rate in the world, with around 578 vehicles per 1000 people.<ref name=vehicle_ownership>[http://www.northshorecity.govt.nz/ Sustainable Transport] North Shore City Council website</ref> Auckland has also been called a very pedestrian- and cyclist-unfriendly city, though efforts are underway to improve this aspect.<ref>''[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10539171 Big steps to change City of Cars]'' - ''[[The New Zealand Herald]]'', Friday Oct 24, 2008</ref>
[[Image:Auckland Harbour Bridge With Flag.jpg|right|thumb|270px|The harbour bridge from [[North Shore City]].]]

===Infrastructure===
The [[New Zealand State Highway network|State Highway network]] connects the cities located in the Auckland urban area, the most frequently travelled being the Northern, Southern, Northwestern and Southwestern Motorways.

The [[Auckland Harbour Bridge]] (Northern Motorway) is the main connection to [[North Shore City]], and also a major road bottleneck. The Harbour Bridge does not provide general access to pedestrians or cyclists, a fact which has recently (2008) led to calls for and investigations into retrofitting the structure.

The [[Central Motorway Junction]], also called 'Spaghetti Junction' for its complexity, forms the intersection between the two major motorways of Auckland (State Highway 1 and State Highway 16) as well as connecting them to the surrounding parts of the city.

Two of the longest arterial roads within Greater Auckland are [[Great North Road, New Zealand|Great North Road]] and [[Great South Road, New Zealand|Great South Road]] - the main connections in those directions before the construction of the State Highway network.

Auckland has three main railway lines, serving the general western, southern, and central eastern directions from the [[Britomart Transport Centre]]. Located in downtown Auckland, it is the terminal station for all lines, and connects them to ferry and bus services.

==Famous sites==
[[Image:AucklandMuseum edit gobeirne.jpg|thumb|270px|The [[Auckland War Memorial Museum]].]]
The following is a list of tourist attractions and landmarks in the Auckland metropolitan area:

;Attractions and Buildings
* [[Auckland Civic Theatre]] - a famous heritage [[atmospheric theatre]] in downtown Auckland. It is still operating as a theatre and was renovated in 2000 to its original condition.
* [[Auckland Harbour Bridge|Harbour Bridge]] - connecting Auckland and the [[North Shore, New Zealand|North Shore]], an iconic symbol of Auckland.
* [[Auckland Town Hall]] - with its concert hall considered to have some of the finest acoustics in the world, this 1911 building serves both Council and entertainment functions.
* [[Auckland War Memorial Museum]] - a large multi-exhibition museum in the [[Auckland Domain]], known for its impressive [[neoclassical architecture|neo-classicist]] style.
* [[Aotea Square]] - the hub of downtown Auckland besides Queen Street, it is often the site of crafts markets, rallies or arts festivals.
* [[Britomart Transport Centre]] - the main downtown public transport centre located in a historic [[Edwardian]] building.
* [[Eden Park]] - the city's primary [[stadium]] and a frequent home for [[All Blacks]] [[rugby union]] and [[New Zealand cricket team|Black Caps]] [[cricket]] matches. It will be the location of the 2011 Rugby World Cup grand final.<ref>http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/destinationnewzealand/news/newsid=2026277.html</ref>
* [[Karangahape Road]] - known as "K' Road", a street in upper central Auckland famous for its bars, clubs and smaller shops.
* [[Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World|Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World]] - a well-known [[aquarium]] and Antarctic environment in the eastern suburb of [[Mission Bay, New Zealand|Mission Bay]], built in a set of former sewage storage tanks, showcasing penguins, turtles, sharks, tropical fish, sting rays and other marine creatures.
* [[Museum of Transport and Technology|MOTAT]] - Auckland's Museum for Transport and Technology, at [[Western Springs]].
* [[Mt Smart Stadium]] - a stadium used mainly for [[rugby league]] and [[Association football|soccer]] matches. Also the site of many concerts.
* [[Ponsonby, New Zealand|Ponsonby]] - a suburb and main street west of central Auckland known for arts, cafes and culture.
* [[Queen Street, Auckland|Queen Street]] - the main street of the city, from Karangahape Road down to the harbour.
* [[Sky Tower]] - the tallest free-standing structure in the [[Southern Hemisphere]], it is {{convert|328|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} tall and has excellent panoramic views.
* [[Vector Arena]] - events centre in downtown Auckland completed in 2007. Holding 12,000 people, it can be used for sports and concert events.
* [[Viaduct Basin]] - a marina and residential development in downtown Auckland, the venue for the America's Cup regattas in 2000 and 2003.
* [[Western Springs Stadium]] - a natural [[amphitheatre]] used mainly for [[Race track|speedway]] races, [[rock (music)|rock]] and [[pop (music)|pop]] [[concert]]s.

;Landmarks and Nature
* [[Auckland Domain]] - one of the largest parks of the city, close to the [[Auckland CBD|CBD]] and having a good view of the harbour and of [[Rangitoto]] Island.
* [[Mount Eden]] - a [[volcanic cone]] with a grassy [[Volcanic crater|crater]]. As the highest natural point in Auckland City, it offers 360-degree views of Auckland and is thus a favorite tourist outlook.
* [[Mount Victoria, Auckland|Mount Victoria]] - a volcanic cone in [[North Shore City]] offering a spectacular view of Auckland. A brisk walk from the Devonport ferry terminal, the cone is steeped in history, as is nearby [[North Head, New Zealand|North Head]].
* [[One Tree Hill, New Zealand|One Tree Hill]] (Maungakiekie) - a volcanic cone that dominates the skyline in the southern, inner suburbs. It no longer has a tree on the summit (after a politically motivated attack on the old tree) but is still crowned by an [[obelisk]].
* [[Rangitoto Island]] - guards the entrance to [[Waitemata Harbour]], and forms a prominent feature on the eastern horizon.
* [[Waiheke Island]] - the second largest island in the [[Hauraki Gulf]] and is well known for its beaches, forests, vineyards and olive groves.
[[Image:View from Sky Tower Akl.jpg|thumb|600px|center|360-degree view from [[Sky Tower]], showing many landmarks in the [[Auckland CBD|CBD]].]]

==See also==
* [[1998 Auckland power crisis]]
* [[Auckland City]]
* [[Auckland (region)]]
* [[Auckland Regional Council#Local Government Structure|Auckland Regional Council]] (ARC)
* [[East Auckland]]
* [[Jafa]] (slang term for Aucklander, article also contains a range of Aucklander stereotypes)
* [[South Auckland]]
* [[Suburbs of Auckland, New Zealand|Suburbs of Auckland]]

==References==
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* {{cite book | author= Gordon McLauchlan| title= The Illustrated Encyclopedia of New Zealand | publisher = David Bateman Ltd, Glenfield, NZ | year= 1992| isbn=1-86953-007-1}}

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==External links==
{{commons|Auckland}}
* [http://www.aucklandnz.com/ Auckland] - Visitor-oriented official website
* [http://www.teara.govt.nz/Places/Auckland/en Auckland] in Te Ara the Encyclopedia of New Zealand
* [http://auckland.wiki.org.nz/ Auckland.Wiki] - [[Wiki]] about Auckland not affiliated with Wikipedia

* Maps and aerial photos
** [http://www.wises.co.nz/#c/2rlk8/70834/5/ Auckland Street Map] (from Wises.co.nz)
** [http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/auckland/ Auckland Street Map] (from Zoomin.co.nz)
** [http://maps.arc.govt.nz/website/maps/default.htm Maps & Aerial Photos] (from the [[Auckland Regional Council|ARC]] map website - go to 'General Regional Information' (opens interactive map with aerial layer)

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Revision as of 08:31, 11 March 2009

Auckland
Tāmaki-makau-rau (Māori)
Nickname(s): 
City of Sails,
Queen City (now rarely used)
File:Auckland.PNG
Country New Zealand
IslandNorth Island
RegionAuckland
Territorial authoritiesAuckland City
Manukau City
Waitakere City
North Shore City
Papakura District
Rodney District (part)
Franklin District (part)
Settled by Māoric. 1350
Settled by Europeansc. 1840
Electorates
List
  • Auckland Central
  • Botany
  • East Coast Bays
  • Epsom electorate
  • Helensville
  • Hunua
  • Māngere
  • Manukau East
  • Manurewa
  • Maungakiekie
  • Mt Albert
  • Mt Roskill
  • New Lynn
  • North Shore
  • Northcote
  • Pakuranga
  • Papakura
  • Tāmaki
  • Te Atatū
  • Waitakere
Government
 • Mayor(s)
Area
 • Urban
1,086 km2 (419 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2018)[1]
 • Urban
1,570,100
 • Urban density1,400/km2 (3,700/sq mi)
 • Demonym
Aucklander
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Area code09
Local iwiNgāti Ākarana
Websitehttp://www.aucklandnz.com/

The Auckland metropolitan area or Greater Auckland, in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with over 1.3 million residents, 32 percent of the country's population.[1] Demographic trends indicate that it will continue to grow faster than the rest of the country. Increasingly cosmopolitan, Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world,[3] and has seen many people of Asian ethnicity move there in the last two decades.

It is a metropolitan region made up of Auckland City (excluding the Hauraki Gulf islands), North Shore City, and the urban parts of Waitakere and Manukau cities, along with Papakura District and some nearby urban parts of Rodney and Franklin Districts. In Māori its name is Tāmaki-makau-rau, or the transliterated version of Auckland, Ākarana.

Auckland lies between the Hauraki Gulf of the Pacific Ocean to the east, the low Hunua Ranges to the south-east, the Manukau Harbour to the south-west, and the Waitakere Ranges and smaller ranges to the west and north-west. The central part of the urban area occupies a narrow isthmus between the Manukau Harbour on the Tasman Sea and the Waitemata Harbour on the Pacific Ocean. It is one of the few cities in the world to have harbours on two separate major bodies of water.

History

Main article History of Auckland

Early Māori and Europeans

The isthmus was first settled around 1350 and was valued for its rich and fertile land. Many (fortified villages) were created, mainly on the volcanic peaks. Māori population in the area is estimated at about 20,000 people before the arrival of Europeans.[4][5] The subsequent introduction of firearms, which began in Northland, upset the balance of power and led to devastating inter-tribal warfare, causing iwi who lacked the new weapons to seek refuge in areas less exposed to coastal raids. As a result, the region had relatively low numbers of Māori when European settlement of New Zealand began. There is, however, nothing to suggest that this was the result of a deliberate European policy.[6][7] On 27 January 1832, Joseph Brooks Weller, eldest of the Weller brothers of Otago and Sydney 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".[8]

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 the George Eden, Earl of Auckland, then Viceroy of India.[9] However, even in 1840 Port Nicholson (later Wellington) was seen as a better choice for an administrative capital because of its proximity to the South Island, which was being settled much more rapidly. At the same time, Auckland was the capital and principal city of the Auckland Province, remaining so until the provincial system was abolished in 1876. Immigration to the new city remained strong, however, even after it lost its status as national capital in 1865.

Growth up to today

In the early 1860s, Auckland became a base against the Māori King Movement. This, and continued road building towards the south into the Waikato, enabled Pākehā (European New Zealanders) influence to spread from Auckland. Its population also grew fairly rapidly, from 1,500 in 1841 to 12,423 by 1864. The growth occurred similarly to other mercantile-dominated cities, mainly around the port and with problems of overcrowding and pollution.

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; arterial roads and motorways have become both defining and geographically dividing features of the urban landscape. They also allowed further massive expansion that resulted in the growth of associated urban areas like the North Shore (especially after the construction of the Auckland Harbour Bridge), and Manukau City in the south.

A large percentage of Auckland is still dominated by a very suburban style of building, giving the city a very low population density. Although it has no more than a sixth of the population of London, it sprawls over an area almost as large (over 1,000 km2), making some services like public transport costlier than in other, high-density, cities,[10] but also allowing most Aucklanders to live in similar residential houses as the rest of New Zealand, though the section sizes are much smaller than in most of the rest of the country.

Future growth

The urbanised extents of Auckland shown in grey.

Auckland is expecting substantial population growth via immigration and natural population increases (which contribute to growth at about one-third and two-thirds, respectively)[11], and is set to grow to an estimated 2 million inhabitants by 2050.[12] This substantial increase in population will have a major impact on transport, housing and other infrastructure that is in many cases already considered under pressure. It is also feared by some organisations, such as the Auckland Regional Council, that urban sprawl will result from the growth and, as a result, that it is necessary to address this proactively in planning policy.

A 'Regional Growth Strategy' has been adopted that sees limits on further subdivision and intensification of existing use as its main sustainability measures.[13] This policy is contentious, as it naturally limits the uses of private land, especially the subdivision of urban fringe properties,[14] by setting 'Metropolitan Urban Limits' in planning documents like the District Plan.[15]

A related issue is the current discussion about local government, with widely differing views. Some Aucklanders blame limited progress on Auckland's issues on poor governance and the fragmentation of the city into various councils (currently seven "City/District" authorities, plus one "Regional" authority). Others point to the fact that a previous integration of the many much smaller Borough Councils did not bring the promised advantages either, and reduced local participation in politics.[16] In 2007, the government set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry which will report back on what restructuring should be done.[17][18]

Geography and climate

Rangitoto island as seen from North Head.

Volcanoes

Auckland straddles the volcanoes of the Auckland Volcanic Field. The approximately 50 volcanic vents in the field take the form of cones, lakes, lagoons, islands and depressions, and several have produced extensive lava flows. Most of the cones have been partly or completely quarried away. The individual volcanoes are all considered 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, and its eruptions destroyed the Māori settlements on neighbouring Motutapu Island some 700 years ago. Rangitoto's 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. Few birds and insects inhabit the island because of the rich acidic soil and the type of flora growing out of the rocky soil.

Auckland and the inner Hauraki Gulf from space.

Harbours and Gulf

Auckland lies on and around an isthmus, less than 2 kilometres wide at its narrowest point, between Mangere Inlet and the 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 parts of both harbours, notably the Auckland Harbour Bridge crossing the Waitemata Harbour west of the Auckland Central Business District (CBD). The Mangere Bridge and the Upper Harbour Bridge span the upper reaches of the Manukau and Waitemata Harbours, respectively. In earlier times, portage paths crossed the narrowest sections of the isthmus.

Several islands of the Hauraki Gulf are administered as part of Auckland City, though they are not officially part of the Auckland metropolitan area. Parts of Waiheke Island effectively function as Auckland suburbs, while various smaller islands near Auckland are mostly zoned 'recreational open space' or are nature sanctuaries.

Climate

View of the Auckland Central Business District.

Auckland has a warm-temperate climate, with warm, humid summers and mild, damp winters. It is the warmest main centre of New Zealand and is also one of the sunniest, with an average of 2060 sunshine hours per annum[19] The average daily maximum temperature is 23.7 °C in February, and 14.5 °C in July, the absolute maximum recorded temperature is 32.4 °C[20], while the absolute minimum is -2.5.[19] High levels of rainfall occur almost year-round with an average of 1240 mm per year spread over 137 'rain days'. [19] Climatic conditions vary in different parts of the city owing to geography such as hills, land cover and distance from the sea, hence unofficial temperature records exist, such as a maximum of 34 °C in west Auckland.[20] On 27 July 1939 Auckland received its only recorded snowfall.[21]

The early morning calm on the isthmus during settled weather, before the sea breeze rises, was described as early as 1853: "In all seasons, the beauty of the day is in the early morning. At that time, generally, a solemn stillness holds, and a perfect calm prevails..." Many Aucklanders used this time of day to walk and run in parks.[22]

As car ownership rates are very high and emissions controls relatively weak, Auckland suffers from some air pollution, especially in regards to fine particles emissions. There are also regular breaches of guideline levels of carbon monoxide.[23] While maritime winds normally disperse the pollution relatively quickly it can sometimes become visible as smog, especially on calm winter days.

Climate data for Auckland
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Source: NIWA Science climate data[24]

People

Cultures

Prime Minister Helen Clark being welcomed onto an Auckland marae.

Auckland is home to many cultures. The majority of inhabitants claim European - predominantly British - descent, but substantial Māori, Pacific Islander and Asian communities exist as well. Auckland has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world and a higher proportion of people of Asian origin than the rest of New Zealand. Ethnic groups from all corners of the world have a presence in Auckland, making it by far the country's most cosmopolitan city.

Demographics

The proportion of Asians and other Non-European immigrants has increased during the last decades due to immigration,[25] and the removal of restrictions directly or indirectly based on race. Immigration to New Zealand is heavily concentrated towards Auckland (partly for job market reasons). This strong focus on Auckland has led the immigration services to award extra points towards immigration visa requirements for people intending to move to other parts of New Zealand.[26]

The following table shows the ethnic profile of Auckland's population, as recorded in the 2001 and 2006 New Zealand Census. The percentages add up to more than 100%, as some people counted themselves as belonging to more than one ethnic group. Figures for 2006 refer to the whole Auckland Region, not just the urban area. The substantial percentage drop of 'Europeans' was mainly caused by the increasing numbers of people from this group choosing to define themselves as 'New Zealanders' - even though this was not one of the groups listed on the census form.

Ethnic Group 2001 (%)[27] 2001 (people) 2006 (%)[28] 2006 (people)
New Zealand European 66.9 684,237 56.5 698,622
Pacific Island 14.9 152,508 14.4 177,936
Asian 14.6 149,121 18.9 234,222
Māori 11.5 117,513 11.1 137,133
Middle Easterners/Latin Americans/Africans n/a n/a 1.5 18,555
Others 1.3 13,455 0.1 648
'New Zealanders' n/a n/a 8.0 99,258
Total giving their ethnicity 1,022,616 (individuals) 1,237,239 (individuals)

The 2006 Census also provides information about the multilinguality of the region. Accordingly, 867,825 people in the Auckland Region spoke one language only, while 274,863 spoke two, and 57,051 could converse in three or more languages.[28]

File:20041216 auckland skyline night.jpg
Sky Tower illuminated in Christmas colours during December.

Religion

Similar to the rest of the country, over half of Aucklanders profess Christianity, but fewer than 10% regularly attend church and almost 40% profess no religious affiliation (2001 census figures). The main denominations are Roman Catholic, Anglican and Presbyterian. Pentecostal and charismatic churches are the fastest growing. A small community of Coptic Orthodox Christians is also present.[29]

Recent immigration from Asia has added to the religious diversity of the city, so now about 10% of the population follow such beliefs as Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism, although there are no figures on religious attendance.[30] There is also a small, long-established Jewish community.[31]

Lifestyle

Positive aspects of Auckland life are its mild climate, plentiful employment and educational opportunities, as well as numerous leisure facilities. Meanwhile, traffic problems (compared to other New Zealand cities), the lack of good public transport, and increasing housing costs have been cited by many Aucklanders as among the strongest negative factors of living there,[32] together with crime.[33] Nonetheless, Auckland currently ranks 5th in a survey of the quality of life of 218 major cities of the world (2008 data, rank unchanged since 2006).[34][35] In 2006, Auckland placed 23rd on the UBS list of the world's richest cities.[36] Template:FixHTML

City Of Sails - View over the Westhaven Marina.

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File:Auckland - Skyline.jpg
Auckland - Skyline from Westhaven Marina.
Auckland - Skyline from Symonds street.

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Leisure

Auckland is popularly known as the "City of Sails" because the harbour is often dotted with hundreds of yachts and has more per capita than any other city in the world, with around 135,000 yachts and launches estimated. Around 60,500 of the country's 149,900 registered yachtsmen also come from the Auckland Region.[37][38] Viaduct Basin also hosted two America's Cup challenges (2000 Cup and 2003 Cup), and its cafes, restaurants, and clubs add to Auckland's vibrant nightlife. With the sheltered Waitemata Harbour at its doorstep, Auckland sees many nautical events, and there are also a large number of sailing clubs in Auckland, as well as Westhaven Marina, the largest of the Southern Hemisphere.[39][38]


High Street, Queen Street, Ponsonby Road, and Karangahape Road are also very popular with urban socialites. Newmarket and Parnell are up-market shopping areas, while Otara's and Avondale's famous fleamarkets offer a colourful alternative shopping experience. Newer shopping centre-type developments in the Auckland area tend to be outside of the older city centres, with Sylvia Park (Sylvia Park, Auckland City), Botany Town Centre (Howick, Manukau City) and Westfield Albany (Albany, North Shore City) being the three largest.

The Auckland Town Hall and Aotea Centre host conferences and cultural events such as theatre, kapa haka, and opera. Auckland also boasts a full-time professional symphonic ensemble in the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

Many national treasures are displayed at the Auckland Art Gallery, such as the work of Colin McCahon, while many other significant cultural artefacts reside at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, the National Maritime Museum, or 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.

File:View of Aukland from outside city.JPG
Auckland CBD from the top of Mt Eden.

Parks and nature

Auckland Domain is one of the largest parks within the city, situated close to the CBD and having a good view of the Gulf and of Rangitoto island. Smaller parks also close to the city centre are Albert Park, Myers Park, Western Park and Victoria Park.

While most volcanic cones in the Auckland Volcanic Field have been affected by quarrying, many of the remaining cones are now ensconced within parks, and retain a somewhat more natural character than the surrounding city. Prehistoric earthworks and historic fortifications feature in several of these parks, including Mount Eden, North Head and One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie).

Other parks around the city are in Western Springs, which has a large park bordering on the MOTAT museum and the Auckland Zoo. The Auckland Botanic Gardens are located further south in Manurewa.

Ferries provide transport to parks and nature reserves at Devonport, Waiheke Island, Rangitoto Island and Tiritiri Matangi. The Waitakere Ranges Regional Park to the west of Auckland offers beautiful and relatively unspoiled bush territory, as do the Hunua Ranges to the south.

Sport

Locations

The most popular sports in Auckland and New Zealand in general are cricket and rugby. Auckland has a considerable number of rugby and cricket grounds, and venues for motorsports, tennis, badminton, netball, swimming, soccer, rugby league, and many other sports.

Waitemata Harbour has popular swimming beaches at Mission Bay, Devonport, Takapuna, Long Bay and Maraetai, and the west coast has popular surf spots such as Piha and Muriwai. Many Auckland beaches are patrolled by surf lifesaving clubs, which are part of Surf Life Saving Northern Region.

Main teams

The Auckland rugby franchise The Blues, formerly known as the 'Auckland Blues' is one of the more successful of New Zealand's five Super 14 franchises. Many All Blacks have also come from Auckland.

The Northern Mystics are one of ten netball teams competing in the new Trans-Tasman ANZ Championship.

Cricket also has a strong following in Auckland. The Auckland cricket franchise, the Auckland Aces won the State Shield Trophy against the Otago Volts in February 2007. The Aces had narrowly lost against the Canterbury Wizards the previous year.

Previously known as the Auckland Warriors, the New Zealand Warriors represent New Zealand in Australia's National Rugby League competition. They play their home games at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland. Their most successful year came in 2002 when they finished Minor Premiers and qualified for the Grand Final.

Major events

Popular annual sporting events include:

  • The 'Harbour Crossing' swim from Devonport to the Viaduct Basin, Auckland CBD, is a yearly summer event, covering 2.8 km (often with some considerable counter-currents) and attended by over a thousand mostly amateur competitors. It is New Zealand's largest ocean swim.[40]
  • The 'Round the Bays' fun-run, starting in the city and going 8.4 kilometres (5.2 miles) along the waterfront to the suburb of St Heliers. It attracts many tens of thousands of people and has been an annual March event since 1972.
  • The Auckland Marathon (and half-marathon), an annual competition for thousands of enthusiasts.

Auckland also hosted the 1950 British Empire Games and the 14th Commonwealth Games in 1990,[9] and will host a number of matches (including the semi-final and the final) of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.[41]

Economy

File:Auckland tower.jpg
The Sky Tower is the tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere at 328 m.

Most major international corporations have an Auckland office, as the city is seen as the economic capital of the nation. The most expensive office space is around lower Queen Street and the Viaduct Basin in the Auckland CBD, where many financial and business services are located, which make up a large percentage of the CBD economy.[42] A large proportion of the technical and trades workforce is based in the industrial zones of South Auckland.

The largest commercial and industrial areas of Greater Auckland are in the southeast of Auckland City as well as in the western parts of Manukau City, mostly in the areas bordering the Manukau Harbour and the Tamaki River estuary.

Auckland's status as the largest commercial centre of the country reflects in the high median personal income (per working person, per year) which was NZ$44,304 (approx. US$33,000) for the region in 2005, with jobs in the Auckland CBD often earning more.[43] The median personal income (for all persons older than 15 years of age, per year) was NZ$22,300 (2001),[44] behind only North Shore City (also part of the Greater Auckland area) and Wellington. While office workers still account for a large part of Auckland's commuters, large office developments in other parts of the city, for example in Takapuna or Albany, both North Shore City, are slowly becoming more common, reducing concentration on the Auckland CBD somewhat.

Education

Auckland has a number of important educational institutions, including some of the largest universities in the country. Auckland is also known to be a major centre of overseas language education, with large numbers of foreign students (particularly East Asians) coming to the city for several months or years to learn English or study at universities - although numbers New Zealand-wide have dropped substantially since peaking in 2003.[45] As of 2007, there are around 50 NZQA certified schools and institutes teaching English in the Auckland area.[46]

Auckland has a multitude of primary and secondary schools, with the Auckland Grammar School (for boys), Mount Roskill Grammar School, Mount Albert Grammar School, Auckland Girls' Grammar School and the Epsom Girls' Grammar School being amongst the most famous. The city also has several private schools such as King's College, Auckland International College, and Diocesan School for Girls. Auckland contains New Zealand's three largest (by full-time student numbers) high schools: Rangitoto College, Avondale College and Massey High School respectively. It also contains New Zealand's largest Catholic school, St Peter's College.

Amongst the most important tertiary educational institutes are the University of Auckland (city and Tamaki Campus), Auckland University of Technology (city campus), Massey University (Albany campus) and the Manukau Institute of Technology (Otara campus), with Unitec New Zealand (Mt Albert campus) being the largest technical institute in Auckland.

Housing

Housing varies considerably between some suburbs having state owned housing in the lower income neighbourhoods, to palatial waterfront estates, especially on the Waitemata. Traditionally, the most common residence of Aucklanders was a bungalow on a 'quarter acre' (1,000 m²),[12] however subdividing such properties with 'infill housing', has long been the norm. Aucklanders' housing preferences resulting from a lack of apartments and poor public transport has resulted in a large urban sprawl and reliance on motor vehicles. This will likely continue, as the vast majority of Aucklanders live in low-density housing, which is expected to remain at up to 70% of the total share even in 2050.[12]

In some areas, the Victorian villas are being increasingly torn down to make way for large plaster mansions with tennis courts and swimming pools. The rampant demolition of the older properties is being combated by the Auckland City Council passing laws that cover heritage suburbs or streets. Auckland has been described as having 'the most extensive range of timbered housing with its classical details and mouldings in the world', many of them Victorian-Edwardian style houses.[47]

Transport

Ferry travel is a popular type of public transport for some Auckland destinations.

Travel modes

Road and rail

Auckland is highly dependent on private vehicles as the main form of transportation, with only around 5% of all journeys in the Auckland region being undertaken by bus (1998 data),[48] though these numbers have since improved somewhat. This results in substantial traffic congestion during peak times.[49]

Bus services in Auckland are mostly radial rather than ring-routes, due to Auckland being on an isthmus. Late-night services (i.e. past midnight) are limited, even on weekends. Train services are mainly limited to some commuter services routes to the west and southeast of Auckland, with longer-distance options scarce. Currently (2007) approximately NZ$ 5.3 billion worth of large-scale projects are underway or planned (and budgeted for) in the Auckland area to improve rail and public transport patronage over the next decade, a share of 31% of the whole transport budget.[10][50]

Other modes

Auckland's ports are the largest of the country, and a large part of both inbound and outbound New Zealand commerce travels through them, mostly via the facilities located to the northeast of the Auckland City CBD. Freight usually arrives / is distributed from the port via road, though the port facilities also have rail access. Auckland is also a major cruise ship stopover point, with the ships usually tying up at Princes Wharf. Auckland CBD is also connected to various outlying coastal suburbs, to North Shore City and to outlying islands by ferry.

Auckland has various small regional airports as well as Auckland Airport, the busiest of the country.

Policies

Research at Griffith University has indicated that in the last 50 years, Auckland has engaged in some of the most pro-automobile transport policies anywhere in the world.[51] With public transport declining heavily during the second half of the 20th century (a trend mirrored in most Western countries such as the US),[52] and increased spending on roads and cars, New Zealand (and specifically Auckland) now has the second-highest vehicle ownership rate in the world, with around 578 vehicles per 1000 people.[53] Auckland has also been called a very pedestrian- and cyclist-unfriendly city, though efforts are underway to improve this aspect.[54]

The harbour bridge from North Shore City.

Infrastructure

The State Highway network connects the cities located in the Auckland urban area, the most frequently travelled being the Northern, Southern, Northwestern and Southwestern Motorways.

The Auckland Harbour Bridge (Northern Motorway) is the main connection to North Shore City, and also a major road bottleneck. The Harbour Bridge does not provide general access to pedestrians or cyclists, a fact which has recently (2008) led to calls for and investigations into retrofitting the structure.

The Central Motorway Junction, also called 'Spaghetti Junction' for its complexity, forms the intersection between the two major motorways of Auckland (State Highway 1 and State Highway 16) as well as connecting them to the surrounding parts of the city.

Two of the longest arterial roads within Greater Auckland are Great North Road and Great South Road - the main connections in those directions before the construction of the State Highway network.

Auckland has three main railway lines, serving the general western, southern, and central eastern directions from the Britomart Transport Centre. Located in downtown Auckland, it is the terminal station for all lines, and connects them to ferry and bus services.

Famous sites

The Auckland War Memorial Museum.

The following is a list of tourist attractions and landmarks in the Auckland metropolitan area:

Attractions and Buildings
Landmarks and Nature
  • Auckland Domain - one of the largest parks of the city, close to the CBD and having a good view of the harbour and of Rangitoto Island.
  • Mount Eden - a volcanic cone with a grassy crater. As the highest natural point in Auckland City, it offers 360-degree views of Auckland and is thus a favorite tourist outlook.
  • Mount Victoria - a volcanic cone in North Shore City offering a spectacular view of Auckland. A brisk walk from the Devonport ferry terminal, the cone is steeped in history, as is nearby North Head.
  • One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie) - a volcanic cone that dominates the skyline in the southern, inner suburbs. It no longer has a tree on the summit (after a politically motivated attack on the old tree) but is still crowned by an obelisk.
  • Rangitoto Island - guards the entrance to Waitemata Harbour, and forms a prominent feature on the eastern horizon.
  • Waiheke Island - the second largest island in the Hauraki Gulf and is well known for its beaches, forests, vineyards and olive groves.
360-degree view from Sky Tower, showing many landmarks in the CBD.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Subnational Population Estimates: At 30 June 2019". Statistics New Zealand. 22 October 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2020. For urban areas, "Subnational population estimates (UA, AU), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996, 2001, 2006–18 (2017 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. 23 October 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  2. ^ "GEOnet Names Server (GNS)". Retrieved August 2006. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help)
  3. ^ Auckland and around (from the Rough Guide website)
  4. ^ Ferdinand von Hochstetter (1867). New Zealand. p. 243.
  5. ^ Sarah Bulmer. "City without a state? Urbanisation in pre-European Taamaki-makau-rau (Auckland, New Zealand)" (PDF). Retrieved 2007-10-03.
  6. ^ "Ngāti Whātua - European contact". Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 2007-10-03.
  7. ^ Michael King (2003). The Penguin History of New Zealand. Auckland, N.Z.: Penguin Books. p. 135. ISBN 0-14-301867-1.
  8. ^ George Weller’s Claim to lands in the Hauraki Gulf - transcript of original in National Archives, ms-0439/03 (A-H) HC.
  9. ^ a b What's Doing In; Auckland - The New York Times, 25 November 1990
  10. ^ a b References provided in Transport in Auckland and Public transport in Auckland
  11. ^ Can We Stop growth? (from the ARC website)
  12. ^ a b c Executive Summary (PDF) (from the Auckland Regional Growth Strategy document, ARC, November 1999. Retrieved 2007-10-14.)
  13. ^ From Urban Sprawl to Compact City: an analysis of Auckland's Urban Growth Management Strategies - Arbury, Joshua - MA Thesis, University of Auckland
  14. ^ Green belt under siege - The New Zealand Herald, Saturday 28 April 2007
  15. ^ Growth Strategy: Glossary and References (PDF) (from the Auckland City Council)
  16. ^ Lessons from the history of local body amalgamation - The New Zealand Herald, Wednesday 06 September 2006
  17. ^ Auckland governance inquiry welcomed - NZPA, via 'stuff.co.nz', Tuesday 31 July 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-29.
  18. ^ Royal commission of inquiry for Auckland welcomed - NZPA, via 'infonews.co.nz', Tuesday 31 July 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-29
  19. ^ a b c "Climate Summary for 1971-2000". National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research.
  20. ^ a b "Auckland enjoys hottest day ever".
  21. ^ "Snowstorms ([[PDF]])" (PDF). Retrieved August 2006. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); URL–wikilink conflict (help); Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help)
  22. ^ Auckland, the Capital of New Zealand - Swainson, William, Smith Elder, 1853
  23. ^ How Polluted is Auckland's Air (from the Auckland Regional Council website)
  24. ^ "Climate Data and Activities". NIWA Science. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |accessyear= and |accessmonthday= (help)
  25. ^ "New Zealand - A Regional Profile - Auckland" (PDF). Statistics New Zealand. 1999. pp. 19–20. Retrieved 2007-10-03.
  26. ^ Residence in New Zealand (PDF) (Page 08, from the Immigration New Zealand website. Accessed 2008-01-18.)
  27. ^ 2001 Regional Summary (from the Statistics New Zealand website)
  28. ^ a b 2006 Regional Summary Tables by Regional Council (from the Statistics New Zealand website)
  29. ^ Pope Shenouda III visits New Zealand (from Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Accessed 2008-05-25.)
  30. ^ "What we look like locally" (PDF). Statistics New Zealand. p. 7.
  31. ^ "Auckland Hebrew Community ~ Introduction page". Retrieved 2008-09-18.
  32. ^ Central Transit Corridor Project (Auckland City website, includes mention of effects of transport on public satisfaction)
  33. ^ "Crime and safety profile - 2003". Auckland City Council. Retrieved 2007-06-08.
  34. ^ City Mayors: Best cities in the world (Mercer)
  35. ^ Quality of Living global city rankings (Mercer Management Consulting, Accessed 10 June 2008).
  36. ^ City Mayors: World's richest cities (UBS via www.citymajors.com website, August 2006)
  37. ^ Punters love City of Sails - The New Zealand Herald, Saturday 14 October 2006
  38. ^ a b Passion for boating runs deep in Auckland - The New Zealand Herald, Thursday January 26, 2006
  39. ^ [Sailing Club] directory (from the yachtingnz.org website)
  40. ^ Harbour Crossing (from the Auckland City Council website. Retrieved 2007-10-24.)
  41. ^ "Eden Park to host Final and Semi-Finals". 22 February2008. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  42. ^ Auckland's CBD at a glance (CBD website of the Auckland City Council)
  43. ^ Auckland Regional Profile (from labourmarket.co.nz, composed from various sources)
  44. ^ Comparison of New Zealand's cities (from ENZ emigration consulting)
  45. ^ Survey of English Language Providers - Year ended March 2006 (from Statistics New Zealand. Auckland is assumed to follow national pattern)
  46. ^ English Language Schools in New Zealand - Auckland (list linked from the Immigration New Zealand website)
  47. ^ Section 7.6.1.2 - Strategy (PDF) (from the Auckland City Council District Plan - Isthmus Section)
  48. ^ Mode of Transport, Figure for New Zealand Regions (from the Travel Survey Highlights 1997-98, New Zealand Ministry of Transport)
  49. ^ Welcome to our traffic nightmare - The New Zealand Herald, Sunday 29 July 2007
  50. ^ Auckland Transport Plan landmark for transport sector (from the Auckland Regional Transport Authority website, 11 August 2007)
  51. ^ Backtracking Auckland: Bureaucratic rationality and public preferences in transport planning - Mees, Paul; Dodson, Jago; Urban Research Program Issues Paper 5, Griffith University, April 2006
  52. ^ US Urban Personal Vehicle & Public Transport Market Share from 1900 (from publicpurpose.com, a website of the Wendell Cox Consultancy)
  53. ^ Sustainable Transport North Shore City Council website
  54. ^ Big steps to change City of Cars - The New Zealand Herald, Friday Oct 24, 2008
  55. ^ http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/destinationnewzealand/news/newsid=2026277.html
  • Gordon McLauchlan (1992). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of New Zealand. David Bateman Ltd, Glenfield, NZ. ISBN 1-86953-007-1.

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