{"id":75828,"date":"2020-09-16T08:42:31","date_gmt":"2020-09-16T08:42:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/staging.expatinfodesk.com\/?page_id=75828"},"modified":"2022-04-11T10:04:29","modified_gmt":"2022-04-11T10:04:29","slug":"introduction-to-auckland","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.expatinfodesk.com\/destinations\/auckland\/introduction\/","title":{"rendered":"Auckland City Introduction"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=”” el_class=”three-top-tips”][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\n

About Auckland City<\/h2>\n

Auckland, New Zealand has been nicknamed the City of Sails for good reason. With the Tasman Sea to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east, the city is nearly surrounded by water \u2013 and Aucklanders are famous for taking advantage of their geographical good fortune. It has been said that Aucklanders own more boats per capita than the residents of any other major city. Boat owners or no, most Greater Auckland residents are a 15 minute drive or less from the beach, with only nine kilometers \u2013 or about six miles! \u2013 separating the Pacific Ocean from the Tasman Sea at the city\u2019s narrowest point.<\/p>\n

Auckland was purchased from its original owners, the Ngati-Whatua tribe of Maori warriors, by the British in 1840. It served as New Zealand\u2019s capital until 1865. It is located in the Southern Hemisphere \u2013 meaning wherever you are in the world, the seasons are very likely opposite yours. So Christmas comes in the summer, and July is cold and rainy. The climate is temperate, with temperatures in the summer averaging about 25 degrees C (75 degrees Fahrenheit) and average winter temperatures of 9 degrees C (48 degrees Fahrenheit). These temperatures are average \u2013 so it can get much warmer, and much colder (down close to freezing on the chilliest winter nights). It also rains frequently in all seasons of the year.<\/p>\n

The Auckland Region stretches over 243 square miles, from the black sands and crashing waves of the Tasman Sea on the West Coast to the peaceful Harukai Gulf in the East, from the rolling Bombay Hills in the south to farmlands and wineries of the North. In between, the landscape is truly spectacular, including two major harbors, 46 volcanic hills, a gulf dotted with islands and even lush rain forests complete with tumbling waterfalls and hiking trails. No wonder when the sun is shining (and even when it isn\u2019t); it seems as if all of Auckland is outside taking advantage of their city\u2019s amazing location.<\/p>\n

Of course, Auckland isn\u2019t just about outdoor recreation. As New Zealand\u2019s largest city, it is home to over 1.3 million people \u2013 roughly a third of the country\u2019s entire population \u2013 and is the New Zealand\u2019s primary economic engine. While the national government is based in Wellington, the country\u2019s media, communications and international business center is Auckland.<\/p>\n

The population of Auckland a unique melting pot of Old World and new. The majority of Aucklanders are descended from European, primarily British, ancestry, so the city has a strong British feel and observes many British traditions. At the same time, Auckland boasts the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world, and many Maori \u2013 New Zealand\u2019s indigenous people \u2013 also make Auckland their home. Add to this large groups of Indian, Asian, South African, European and even Canadian and American immigrants, and the result is a vibrant, multi-cultural city. Because so many cultures coexist in Auckland, the city is friendly and safe for expats.<\/p>\n

Geographically, Auckland is only a few hours\u2019 flight to the West of the International Date Line, making it the first major city in the world to begin each new day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″ el_class=”city-side-bar”][vc_row_inner el_class=”sidebar-section-one”][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”Top tips” font_container=”tag:h4|font_size:24|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” el_class=”top-tips”][vc_separator color=”#ffffff” type=”full_width” thickness=”1″ up=”” down=””][vc_column_text el_class=”top-tips”]<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
01<\/td>\nWinter in Auckland is very cold. Be aware of this when house hunting. Most houses don’t have central heating and some have no heating system at all<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
02<\/td>\nThe weather in Auckland can change quickly and without warning. Always be prepared for sudden changes in temperature or a sudden downfall.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
03<\/td>\nConsider joining www.cherrytree.co.nz. An online store that offers reduced price appliances and electronics. There is a membership fee.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner el_class=”sidebar-section-two”][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”Useful Links” font_container=”tag:h4|font_size:24|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” el_class=”useful-links”][vc_separator color=”#ffffff” type=”full_width” thickness=”1″ up=”” down=””][vc_column_text el_class=”useful-links”]<\/p>\n