auckland
Pincered between two harbours , studded with volcanic cones , and within easy reach of both islands and beaches , Auckland is the perfect combination of natural beauty and urban sophistication .
In the space of a single day , visitors can hike through rainforest in the Waitakere Ranges to the west , swim in a white-sand bay on the east coast and toast sunset from a rooftop bar before dining at a world-class restaurant .
Most international travellers arrive into New Zealand via Auckland Airport , and the city is a fitting start point for any journey . While some visitors might see Auckland as merely a stopover on the way to the South Island , those who linger soon realise the city has many of the elements that make New Zealand so alluring .
Auckland is the country ’ s largest city , home to 1.6 million people ( around a third of New Zealand ’ s population ). Of this number , roughly 40 % were born overseas , giving the city huge diversity in food , festivals and art . Thanks to its close proximity to Asia , Chinese New Year and Diwali are key fixtures in Auckland ’ s calendar of events , while the city ’ s large community of people from Pacific nations means markets in the south of the city offer the chance to browse Samoan , Tongan and Niuean arts and crafts such as tapa ( cloth ), and lavalava ( a clothing item ).
With all this to explore , it ’ s easy for visitors to understand why the Indigenous Maori name for Auckland is Tamaki Makaurau , which loosely translates as ‘ Tamaki , desired by many ’.
Clockwise from above : The coastal Takapuna district ; Piha beach ; a cyclist on One Tree Hill
Previous pages : Auckland skyline
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