"Auckland - City of Sails" a Auckland Travel Page by Dodo22

Welcome to my home town, Auckland, otherwise known as the City of Sails". Its a picturesque harbour and the water is never very far away. This shot was taken at the beginning of The Coastal Classic yacht race.

The Maori people are first thought to have settled in the Auckland region approximately 650 years ago. Due to its rich and fertile land Auckland was highly sought after as a place to settle. The Maori named it 'Tamaki', meaning 'battle'.
There are volcanic cones dotted all over the Auckland area and these became natural sites for pas, or fortified Maori settlements. Several of the best known lookout areas in Auckland, such as Mount Eden and One Tree Hill, bear the traces of these pas.
Fierce inter-tribal conflict in the 1820s is believed to have led to there being little organized Maori resistance to European settlement, and by 1840 the British were well entrenched.
The onset of European settlement can be traced to 1840 when NZ's first governor, Captain William Hobson, chose Auckland as the capital. Auckland remained NZ’s capital until 1865, when Wellington took over as capital. 1840 began with the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, which is viewed as New Zealand's founding document. In Auckland, local Maori chiefs gathered at Karaka Bay, Awhitu and Mangere to sign or put their marks to the document that promised protection of Maori land if the Maori recognised British sovereignty.
Hobson decided upon the name Auckland, in honour of his patron and former commander, Lord Auckland who was at that time, the viceroy of India. Many of the other place names in Auckland bear the influence of Hobson's patron. Lord Auckland's family name was Eden, and a great many parts of the city bear this name.

If you get a chance you must go sailing on the Auckland Harbour.

The Pride of Auckland Company operates its fleet of large purpose-built sailboats on Auckland Harbour and its trade mark Blue and White sails are a frequent site.

A must do activity whilst in the City of Sails - for international, national, and locals visitors alike. They will take you out for an hour for a "sailing experience" or you can do a 7 hour day cruise, a half day cruise or they even have options for a breakfast, lunch, coffee or dinner cruises. Take your pick.

They can be found at the NZ National Maritime Museum, Cnr Quay and Hobson Streets and their Website is: www.prideofauckland.com

Or if you have a need for speed - experience sailing in Auckland on one of two ex America's Cup boats. SailNZ purchased 2 ex America's Cup Boats and offer 2 hour sailing experiences on these 24 M (80 ft) grand prix racing boats. No experience is necessary

http://www.sailnz.co.nz/