Population: 1.2 million (greater Auckland)
Area: city boundary: 502 sq km (194 sq mi); greater Auckland: 16,140 sq km (6232 sq mi)
Country: New Zealand
Time: GMT/UTC + 12 hours
Telephone Area Code: 09

Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, with a population of just under 382,000 within the city boundary and 1.18 million in the greater Auckland area. This represents about one third of the population of the whole country. The city and suburbs cover an area of 60 square kilometres, with many of the suburbs having their own unique character.

English is the main written and spoken language, with Maori, Polynesian and Asian languages also being spoken by ethnic communities. The climate is temperate, with warm summers (averaging over 24 degrees) and cooler winters (averaging 16 degrees). The summer months are between December and March. The prevailing wind is westerly.

As the most significant city in the South Pacific, Auckland is a lively fusion of international style, local creativity and Polynesian charm. Fun is the operative word here. Auckland’s urban personality is bold, fast and fashionable. Everything you see, hear, taste or touch has a twist of originality. You’ll find it in the fashions of High Street and the bouquet of the chardonnay. You’ll see it in the quirkiness of the art and the décor of the restaurants.

The newly developed ViaductHarbour is the place to spot famous faces here for the America’s Cup. You’ll find every dining style - from spacious brasseries to intimate silver service on a romantic balcony overlooking the harbour. In the restaurant regions of Parnell and Ponsonby, the chefs have an undying passion for culinary creativity. It helps that the region produces excellent raw material. The climate is obliging - with enough sunshine and rainfall to grow everything from the daintiest tips of asparagus to the sweetest strawberries south of the equator. The city’s pubs also provide plenty of entertainment possibilities, with live bands and theme nights. And if you fancy a stage play, dance or orchestra, you’ll find it at The Edge, the Bruce Mason Centre or one of Auckland’s small professional theatres.

The city is built on a narrow isthmus between two harbours, the Waitemata to the East and the Manukau to the West. The Waitemata is the main deep water shipping access, with extensive wharf facilities and the largest container port in the country. Water sports are a pastime enjoyed by a large number of Aucklanders and the city enjoys the reputation as being known as the 'City of Sails' due the number of yachts which sail in the harbours and the adjoining Hauraki Gulf.

A Bill has passed through Parliament creating the Hauraki MarineParkand providing protection for a marine environment of national and international importance. Surrounded by extinct volcanoes and a myriad of picturesque islands in the Gulf, Auckland is presently home to the America's Cup yachting trophy.

Aucklandis also the 'gateway' to New Zealand for tourism, with the country's largest airport serving 45 airlines. Cruise ships call each year especially during the summer period, with many of the passengers taking the opportunity to take tours of Auckland and the other tourist attractions of the country. The city of Auckland is the retail and commercial centre of New Zealand, with a number of head offices and businesses servicing commerce, manufacturing and tourism. Because it is the focal business centre for the region a large number of people commute daily into the city by bus, ferry, rail and private car.

Tourist attractions abound and the area is blessed with a number of spacious and clean beaches. The main tourist attractions within the city include: the Auckland Museum which houses one of the best Maori and Polynesian collections in the world, the Maritime Museum on the waterfront, Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World Aquarium, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, the Museum of Transport and Technology, the Auckland Zoo, Cornwall Park and the many ferry and scenic harbour cruises which operate to the North Shore and islands of the Hauraki Gulf. There are also a number of historic places and houses open for viewing. Fine views of the city can be obtained from the Sky Tower, Mt Eden and One Tree Hill.

The city has two universities and a technical institute, together with a range of private and state secondary schools. There is a large number of utility services and facilities for residents including open spaces and public parks, good public transport, public libraries, an expansive range of bars, cafes and restaurants, and a modern lively night life with a casino operating at the Sky City complex. The main shopping areas are downtown Queen Street, High Street, Parnell, Newmarketand the St Lukes mall. There is also a large number of shopping malls throughout the region.

Useful Information:

Full country name: New Zealand
Area: 269,000 sq km
Population: 3.8 million
Capital city: Wellington (pop 345,000 )
People: 88% European (Pakeha), 12% Maori and Polynesian
Languages: English and Maori
Religion: Predominantly Christian (81%)
Government: Independent member of the British Commonwealth
Prime Minister: Helen Clark

GDP:US$85 billion
GDP per head: US$22,360
Annual growth: 2%
Inflation: 2%
Major industries: Food processing, wood and paper products, wool, textiles, dairy products, iron and steel
Major trading partners: Australia, Japan, the USA