Auckland

Auckland, city in northern New Zealand, situated on an isthmus joining northwestern North Island and the North Auckland Peninsula. It borders on Manukau Harbour (an arm of the Tasman Sea) and Waitemata Harbour (an arm of the Pacific Ocean). The city, which has several extinct volcanoes within its boundaries, is a seaport, a naval base, and a fishing, commercial, and manufacturing center. Among the points of interest in Auckland are the Auckland Art Gallery, with a collection of paintings by European and New Zealand artists; the Auckland Museum, featuring exhibits on natural history and ethnology; the Museum of Transport and Technology; and Parnell Rose Garden. The University of Auckland (1882) and the Auckland University of Technology (1964) are here. Auckland Harbour Bridge is the longest of several bridges linking the central city with its fast-growing suburban areas. New Zealand's main international airport is in Auckland.

Many Pacific Islanders moved to Auckland after World War II ended in 1945, and the urban area also contains a large number of Maori, descendants of the pre-European inhabitants of the country. Auckland was founded in 1840 as the capital of colonial New Zealand. In 1865 the capital was transferred from Auckland to Wellington. Auckland achieved city status in 1871. Population (2006) 404,658.