Auckland Holiday

The city of Auckland in New Zealand is cosmopolitan, laid back, clean, inviting and excellent as a holiday destination.

Perched on a long stretch of the North Island, Auckland is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and is home to around 1.1 million people, the world's largest single population of Pacific Islanders.

A mixed population of Polynesians, Asians, and Europeans make Auckland a vibrant and welcoming place to visit. The city is pleasant, well designed and beautifully situated, with a great deal to offer the majority of visitors.

According to Maori history, the islands of New Zealand were peopled by Maoris arriving from other parts of Polynesia in waka, or canoes, and archaeological evidence exists around the coasts dating back 800 years.

In the 17th century, tensions arose when tribes from the north and south challenged those peopling the area that is now Auckland and European settlers arrived in 1839 to find a depleted Maori population. The Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand's founding document, was signed in 1840 between the Maori population and the British government.

In the 20th century, both Auckland and New Zealand have flourished, with the country developing into a democratic and liberal state. Race relations remain an issue, but Maori culture has been given greater prominence and tensions have dissipated in recent decades.

Favourite places to visit during a trip to Auckland include Auckland Museum, Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland Zoo, Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World and the Stardome Observatory.

The 1,082-ft Sky Tower dominates the Auckland skyline and has an observation deck. The tower is at the heart of the huge Sky City entertainment complex, with hotels and a casino.

Albert Park covers 15 acres in the centre of the city, with formal gardens, fountains and an abundance of flowers, while the 340 acre Auckland Domain houses the tropical domed Wintergardens, summer concerts and wide lawns.

The impressive Waitemata Harbour has undergone major redevelopment in recent years and now houses some of the mast fashionable restaurants, cafes and bars in the city. Nightlife in Auckland is lively and the city has numerous venues to suit all tastes, with a strong arts scene and some excellent nightclubs.

Auckland covers a large area and is surrounding by beautiful scenery, so it is advisable to hire a car during a long holiday to the city, while boat trips around the bay and pretty islands are also available.

Surrounded by 46 volcanic hills and on the edge of the sea, Auckland is also an ideal base for outdoor pursuits. With an array of spectacular beaches nearby, sailors, swimmers and watersports enthusiasts will be in their element, while nature lovers and walkers should head for the dense subtropical forests.

Auckland is warmest and busiest between November and April. Most international flights to New Zealand go through Auckland, with direct services available from London.

Accommodation in the city ranges from large chain hotels to cosy B&Bs and hostels. Auckland has a rich mix of bars, cafes, restaurants and brasseries serving excellent dishes with a heavy emphasis on seafood and shoppers will enjoy browsing in the upscale Ponsonby neighbourhood or wandering into the shops along bustling Queen Street.