NEW ZEALAND - CITIES PROFILE

Profiles of New Zealand Cities

For specific information about New Zealand's cities, click on the cities you are interested in:

AUCKLAND

Located in the North-West of the North Island, Auckland is surrounded by water and covered with panoramic hills. Greater Auckland is, in fact, made up of four cities: North Shore, Waitakere, Auckland, and Manakau. Its spectacular harbour and the popularity of its yachting have earned Auckland the sobriquet "City of Sails".

Auckland Harbour - situated in the north-west of North Island

Auckland - Skyline.

Population

With a population of 1.2 million people, Auckland is the largest metropolitan region in New Zealand. Auckland is the most cosmopolitan city in New Zealand, with the highest percentage of immigrants among the cities of New Zealand.

Climate

Auckland has a subtropical climate, receiving approximately 2015 hours of sunshine annually, and an average annual rainfall of approximately 1500mm. In the summer months of January and February, the average summer temperature is 20 degrees Celsius, and the maximum high daily temperature is close to 25 degrees. In the winter, the average temperature is 11 degrees Celsius.

Business and Economy

Auckland is New Zealand's manufacturing centre, effectively manufacturing 40% of the country's products. Some such manufacturing industries include petroleum and chemicals, metals, machinery & equipment, construction, boat building, plastics, electronics, printing & publishing, and food processing.
Furthermore, Auckland is the hub of distribution throughout New Zealand and the world, with nearly 45% of NZ 's wholesalers being based in this city.
The city also has a large and burgeoning service industry, comprised of finance & banking, media & film, advertising, education, health care, engineering, telecommunications, consulting, real estate, entertainment & hospitality, etc.

Auckland - Sky Tower, the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere.

Attractions

Auckland's Sky Tower is the highest building in the southern hemisphere of the globe and its height provides a spectacular 360° view of the city. The city offers food lovers an amazing variety of restaurants, and it is equally generous with entertainment seekers, allowing them the opportunity to sample a multitude of entertainment options including casinos, theatres, and clubs to satisfy all tastes, whether on the conservative or wild side of the spectrum. The Aotea Centre is a fabulous performing arts complex that hosts numerous conferences, banquets and concerts. Auckland's many distinctive large and small art galleries and museums add memorable glitter to the cultural life, guaranteed to more than satisfy even the most astute connoisseur of world art and culture. Three of the best known venues include the Auckland City Art Gallery, the New Auckland Art Gallery, and Auckland Museum.

Auckland Marina - The "City of Sails"

Auckland's outdoor activities are abundantly available to pursue and participate in. The "City of Sails" claims that it has the most boats per capita in the world; indeed, yachting a la Auckland style is an experience that should never be missed by any visitor or resident. There is a good deal of parkland in the city; take advantage of the unique and beautiful scenery of gardens, volcanic craters and beaches. The oldest of Auckland's parks is the Auckland Domain which also hosts the Auckland Museum. Golf and running enthusiasts abound in the city, and there are numerous trails and golf courses to prove it.

Cost of Living

Average House Sale Prices (Dec. 1997)

House sales in the area range from NZ $217,000-343,000.

WELLINGTON

Wellington City - Located on southern tip of North Island.

Located on a splendid harbour at the southern tip of the North Island, Wellington is New Zealand's capital city and geographical centre of the country. Although less populated than Auckland, Wellington is considered the cultural centre of New Zealand, a lively city of culture and arts, with festivals almost every month. Great ethnic food outlets, trendy cafes, and internationally-renowned restaurants add to the mystique and glamour of this unique city, a true jewel of the South Pacific. Mount Victoria offers stunning views of the city and the harbour, and Wellington's location also makes it a gateway to the South Island. The city bears a strong resemblance to San Francisco (U.S.A.) and Vancouver (Canada).

Population

Wellington's population is approximately 430,000 people. This figure includes the population of the Greater Wellington region, including the suburbs of Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, Porirua, and Wairarapa.

Climate

Wellington's weather is mostly moderate, although it does have the nickname "Windy Wellington" on account of its often blustery and changeable weather. The average summer temperature is 17 degrees Celsius, while the average winter temperature is 8 degrees Celsius. Wellington receives an average of 2050 hours of sunshine annually, and 1270 mm of rain annually.

Business and Economy

Wellington is the governmental hub of New Zealand; government operations constitute much of the activity in the city. In addition to having many administrative offices for government agencies, it is also the country's banking and financial centre.

The executive wing of the Parliament Buildings, known as "The Beehive" (above), is a distinctive landmark in Wellington

Other major industries in Wellington include education, film & television production, and tourism. Information technology and telecommunications, together constituting some of the fastest growing sectors of New Zealand's economy, enjoy a notably strong base in Wellington. Niche manufacturing and secondary processing activities related to agriculture, horticulture, viticulture, and forestry are flourishing in Wellington as well.

Attractions

Wellington has more than its fair share of restaurants and cultural offerings, including art galleries and theatres. The city also hosts the highly-acclaimed New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Royal New Zealand Ballet. Additionally, in the spring and summer seasons, the city comes alive with numerous festivals and artistic performances. It is these events that attract millions of international tourists seeking pleasure and recreation. The amazing hospitality and intoxicating beauty of this most-southerly capital of the globe are a real draw.

Wellington Harbour

Being a harbour city, Wellington welcomes you with plenty of sea-side markets and shops: these include Thorndon Quay and Lambton Quay. Lovely beaches are also nearby, perfect for sun and water recreation.

Cost of Living

Wellington is endowed with many beautiful outlying areas and suburbs.The cost of a house in the area ranges from NZ $127,000-$232,000.

Wellington - Affordable life-style and accomodation.

 

 

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