Known as the “City of Sails”, Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland city extends over a narrow isthmus between the Waitemata Harbour on the Pacific Ocean, and the Manukau Harbour on the Tasman Sea. Auckland has spectacular nature features, including 49 dormant volcanoes. This cosmopolitan city has a population of around 1.5 million people and the city’s warm temperate climate, lush vegetation and easy access to the coast and harbour activities consistently earns it a place in the top ten ranking in international lifestyle surveys. A melting pot of different ethnicities, Auckland is the world’s biggest Polynesian city. This diversity is reflected in the lively arts and culture scene, a wide range of food and craft markets, vineyards, a hip café culture and outstanding restaurants. The dozens of islands of the Hauraki Gulf form a distinctive aspect of the Auckland landscape and provide a magnet for boaties, fishing enthusiasts, hikers & nature lovers.

The Te Reo name for Auckland is Tāmaki Makaurau, meaning “Tāmaki desired by many“, in reference to the desirability of its natural resources and geography, with its rich volcanic soil bountiful harbours. As was often the tradition of the colonists from the United Kingdom, cities & town in Aotearoa/New Zealand where often named after important people or regions.

As a result, the first Governor of New Zealand, named the area after George Eden, who was the Earl of Auckland and a British First Lord of the Admiralty. Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland is popularly nicknamed the “City of Sails” or the “Queen City”