About Auckland
Auckland, New Zealand, is one of the great multicultural cities of the Pacific Rim, in a setting that is a natural paradise. The central city offers world–class restaurant, night life, and shopping experiences, yet vineyards, native forests, dormant volcanoes, and adventure outings are within easy reach.
Approximately 401,500 people reside within the Auckland city limits, making it New Zealand's largest city. About 1.25 million people—or about one–third of the nation's entire population—live in the Greater Auckland area.
English is the primary spoken and written language. Ethnic communities speak Maori, Polynesian, and Asian languages.
Auckland is built on a narrow isthmus between two harbours. It is surrounded by extinct volcanoes and picturesque islands. Hauraki Gulf and its islands are right on the doorstep of the central city, a playground for boating, fishing, marine life, and beautiful beaches. The city is known as the City of Sails because of a great number of yachts that sail in the harbours and the adjoining gulf.
For surfing and a more rugged beach experience, Auckland's west coast is an untouched native paradise. Auckland is one of the few cities in the world to have harbours on two separate major bodies of water.
The city, suburbs, and gulf islands cover an area of 637 square kilometres.
Auckland has a temperate climate, featuring warm, humid summers and mild, damp winters and westerly prevailing winds. It is the warmest municipal centre of New Zealand and also one of the sunniest. The summer months are between December and March. In August, the temperature ranges between 12°C and 16°C.
Travel Information
Time Zone: New Zealand is 12 hours ahead of GMT. Daylight savings (+1 hour) in November applies.
Tipping: This is not expected but is appreciated for good service.
Shopping Hours: Normal shopping hours are 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m, including Saturdays and Sundays for malls.
Electricity: 240 volts, 50 hertz, with Australian/New Zealand three-pin sockets.
Currency: NZ dollars