Auckland is not only the metropolis of New Zealand but of the entire South Pacific, which is otherwise hardly populated and therefore has no other places of this size. The city’s sphere of influence is correspondingly extensive. There are usually more Pacific Islanders – like Samoans, Niuanians, Tongans and others – living in Auckland than on their home islands themselves. The flair of the South Pacific, however, is limited to South Auckland, with one exception: the fantastic South Sea collection of the Auckland Museum in the Domain. Recently, the influx of Asians has been immense, and their presence can be seen everywhere in the city center.
Short for AKLD by Abbreviationfinder, Auckland calls itself the City of Sails. Water sports are an integral part of leisure activities in the city. The city is surrounded by water and, statistically, almost one in four Aucklanders is believed to have their own boat. However, if you leave the areas around the water and the inner city with its large coherent Wilhelminian style quarters, which consist of wooden houses in Colonial and American bungalow style, you lose yourself in an accumulation of monotonous suburban settlements that can almost only be reached by car. Auckland is one of the few cities in the world that has virtually no public transport system. And where it is available, it is only rudimentary.
The city was founded by the British in the mid-19th century and is therefore a typical colonial city based on land speculation. That’s still like that. The topography and the indigenous population opposed the merciless investors of the colonialists. Those who visit the city will notice the high, natural hills. These are volcanoes or volcanic cones. In total there are around 40 volcanoes in the Auckland city area, which were cultivated and settled by the Maoris before the Pakeha, the whites, arrived. A large part of the volcanoes is considered to be tapu (taboo) due to their historical and spiritual development. The volcanoes are therefore protected and with them the lines of sight to them that run through the city. They offer fantastic views over the city.
On July 10, 1985, French secret agents carried out a bomb attack on the ship “Rainbow Warrier”, which was moored in the port of the city.
The Greenpeace ship was supposed to disrupt the French atomic bomb tests on the Mururoa Atoll or to help prostrate them. As a result of the attack, the ship sank, killing the photographer Fernando Pereira.
At the time, Francois Mitterand (1916-1996) was President of the Republic.
Note
Information that applies to the entire country, e.g. currency, entry requirements, health issues, etc., can be found under New Zealand.
| Name of the city | Auckland |
| Name in German | Auckland |
| Further names | City of Sails |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Location | In the north of the North Island of New Zealand on the isthmus of the Tasman Sea and the Pacific. At the ports of Waitemata, Tamaki and Tamaki. The city is surrounded by water and numerous islands. It was built on a large number of volcanoes. |
| Landmark of the city | Harbourbridge radio tower, which is believed to be the tallest building in the southern hemisphere |
| Function of the city | Largest city in New Zealand’s economic center in the country |
| Surface | 637 km² |
| Population | approx. 1.25 million in the greater Auckland area approx. 401,500 in the center of the city |
| Ethnicities | 56% New Zealand Europeans 8% Chinese 8% Maoris 6% Samoans 5% Indians 4% Tongans 2% British and Irish 2% Cook Island Maoris 2% Niuans 1% other Europeans |
| Languages | English and Te Reo Maori are the official languages of New Zealand and therefore also of Auckland. However, since 39% of the foreigners were not born in New Zealand, the following languages are also spoken: 87% English 4% Samoan 3% Yue / Cantonese 2% Maori 2% Northern Chinese / Mandarin 2% Tongan 2% French 2% Other (Sino -Tibeto-Burman) 2% Hindu 1% Indo-Aryan group |
| Religions | 50% Christianity 26% no religion 2% Buddhism 2% Islam 1% Hinduism 1% Judaism 1% Maori Christians 1% other religions 15% not listed in the statistics |
| National currency | New Zealand dollar (1 NZD = 100 cents) |
| Rivers | The Waikato is New Zealand’s largest river. It flows into the Tasman Sea south of Auckland. |
| Elevations or mountains | Mt. Eden, Mt. Albert, One Tree Hill, and Auckland Domain. The Rangitoto Mountain is also an island in the Gulf of Hauraki. |
| Lakes | Lake Pupuke in Takapuna on the North Shore |
| Islands | Rangitoto, Waiheke, Great Barrier Island, Little Barrier Island, Browns Island, Kawau Island, Motuhie, Motutapu, Pakatoa Island, Tiritiri Matangi Island, Motou Kaikura and other smaller islands. |
| Tourist center | Tourism Auckland Head Office at the corner of Quay & Hobson Streets, Viaduct HarborAuckland, 1001PO Box 5561, Wellesley Street Tel: +64 9 9797070 Email: [email protected] Web: www.aucklandnz.comOpening times: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Telephone code with country code | 0064 – (0) 9 – subscriber number |
| Time compared to CET | +12 h in New Zealand summer +10 h in New Zealand winter |
| Line voltage, line frequency | 220 V and 50 Hz |
Auckland: features and events
City peculiarities
Terrorist attack
On July 10, 1985, French secret agents carried out a bomb attack on the ship “Rainbow Warrier”, which was moored in the port of the city.
Greenpeace’s ship was supposed to disrupt French nuclear tests on Mururoa Atoll. As a result of the attack, the ship sank and the photographer Fernando Pereira was killed.
At that time Francois Mitterand (1916-1996) was President of the Republic.
Barrier Machine on the Harbor Bridge
The lanes of the Harbor Bridge are separated from each other by concrete elements. These are moved four times a day by means of a special machine, depending on the time of day, in order to regulate the traffic flowing into and out of the city. This machine is really unique because all over the world traffic is controlled using light signals and not physical barriers. These physically necessary concrete elements allow conclusions to be drawn about the driving behavior and discipline of New Zealand drivers.
Geographical location
Auckland differs from other cities in its geographical location. Located on the isthmus between the Pacific and Tasmanian Sea and surrounded by three natural harbors and countless islands, the location on the water determines the cityscape. For example, many Auckland residents commute daily by ferry to work in the Central Business District. The journey from the islands of Waiheke takes e.g. only 30 minutes. This is also shaped by the approx. 50 volcanoes that are located in the urban area. Be it through large green mountains, which are located as parks in the middle of the city, or through the undulating city topography, which is characterized by numerous valleys and hills.
Marae of Orakei
A marae, a Maori village, has been preserved in the St. Helens district. The marae was also fiercely contested in this century. So they wanted to grind this to the visit of the English Queen in the 50s. As with every visit to the mara, you have to ask for permission before entering it.
Residential
Areas Auckland also has one of the largest contiguous residential areas, consisting of historic wooden houses in American bungalow style, colonial style and Edwardian style.
Celebrations and events
Chinese Lantern Festival
The festival is held in Albert Park on the Chinese New Year. The park is decorated with colorful, artistic lantern arrangements. There are also music events, food stalls and stalls selling Chinese goods.
Ellerslie Garden Show
Largest garden show in the southern hemisphere
Pacifika
At the beginning of March, the Pacifica Festival takes place in Auckland. Almost all nations and island states of the South Seas can be experienced at the festival. They present themselves with dance and performance events, chants, arts and crafts and food stalls. The festival is definitely not to be missed when in Auckland.