"Auckland" Top 5 Page for this destination Auckland by fachd

The Maori name for the Auckland is Tamaki Makaurau and they arrived in the region around 1350. The Maori word Tamaki meaning is battle. The region had fertile soils and many high grounds that the Maori used for (pas) fortified settlement. Auckland population is about 1.4 million and has the largest Polynesian population in New Zealand.

After the British explorer James Cook land in New Zealand in 1769. European settlement can be traced to 1840. The European mainly British stock arrived to the island during the discovery of gold in 1861. The Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the British and the Maori in February 1840 but unfortunately the Treaty has lost in the translation.

We arrived in cosmopolitan Auckland in October 2010 and stayed at Rydges Harbourview Hotel not far from Queen Street. Our first battle was with the receptionist who tried to lure us to a cheaper room. Luckily we brought our paper and won.

The three days we stayed the weather were kind. From what I saw of Auckland mainly in the central area I thought it was a nice clean city, not too congested and not too much rat race going on and yet it is a vibrant city with multicultural influence. Queen Street is probably one of the busiest. Maybe the Aucklenders were visiting Queensland the three days we were there.

I thought the surrounding water of Auckland made the city. You can almost see water in every corner which makes it a maritime playground. The Auckland Viaduct Harbour is a walking distance from our hotel. It housed many boats. The harbor also host many events including the famous America cup. They say Auckland own more boats per head of population than in any other city in the world. That is why the city Auckland is dubbed as City of Sails.

There are many things to do for tourist in Auckland ranging from Sky Jump at Sky City, Harbour Cruise, visits Devenport or explore Rangitoto islands or strolling around Parnell Village or hop on Explorer Bus to see many interesting sights of Auckland like Bastion Point and Mt Eden or relax and have ice cream, beer, coffee at Viaduct Harbour. There are many restaurants and food court in downtown Auckland.

Some part of Auckland it reminds me of Tasmania and Melbourne. In Auckland downtown especially Queen Street and Albert Park you’ll see many overseas student as Auckland University is not far from downtown Auckland.

The surprised of our visit to Auckland was when we went to the Auckland War Memorial. Kim saw her great uncle name ‘Clulee’ on the halls of memory. She paid 50cents to find out what happened. He was killed in Belgium.

In the three days in Auckland we saw quite a lot but as usual it’s not enough. Yes we do like Auckland. For sure we will be back to see more of Auckland and New Zealand.

According to the research by Economist World’s Most Livable Cities index of 2010, ranked Auckland in 10th place. Source: Wikipedia.

• Pros:Beautiful city with surrounding water
• Cons:How come the kiwi's wine is dearer than Canberra
• In a nutshell:Charming city not too big not too small