Auckland

Our largest city, Auckland is New Zealand’s commercial hub.

Map showing Auckland region

  1. Auckland
Auckland

It’s also the largest Polynesian city in the world and the most multi-cultural, with over 180 different ethnic groups. All of which adds up to one big, bustling, cosmopolitan and vibrant place.

Auckland is considered one of the world’s most liveable cities, ranking third in the 2019 Quality of Living survey conducted annually by the global HR consultants Mercer. It’s held that slot since 2012.

Tiffany: Transportation Planner from USA
02:24
Woman from the USA talks moving to Auckland, New Zealand

Statistics

Population (2018 Census)

1,571,718

% born outside NZ:

39%

Average house price Dec 2019:

$1,077,237

Median Wage:

$48,230

Auckland is considered one of the world’s most liveable cities, ranking third in the 2019 Quality of Living survey conducted annually by the global HR consultants Mercer. It’s held that slot since 2012.

The region is a food-lovers’ paradise, bustling with trendy cafes, ethnic eateries and award-winning restaurants. Being located between two harbours, fresh seafood is an Auckland speciality, and the region also features a range of vineyards and olive groves.

Aucklanders can choose between a sophisticated urban lifestyle, living in the suburbs or moving a short distance to the countryside to live on a lifestyle block surrounded by farmland and native bush.

Over 1.7 million people live in Auckland - over a third of New Zealand’s population. It’s the region of choice for over half of new migrants. They’re drawn here by Auckland’s job opportunities, good climate, stunning natural environment with beautiful harbours, beaches, and parks and its vibrant, cosmopolitan centre. 

Auckland NZ

Geography

Auckland City features two fine harbours. The larger, to the east, is a boaties’ paradise sheltered by islands, hence Auckland’s title ‘City of Sails’. It has the most recreational boats per capita on the planet.

The city covers 5,000 square kilometres (1,900 square miles) and from just about anywhere within that area you can see the Sky Tower, the southern hemisphere’s tallest free-standing structure. Auckland is also known for the 15-plus extinct volcanic cones it is built around.

Economy and industry

Auckland is the nation’s economic powerhouse, accounting for 38% of New Zealand’s economic output (GDP) and 36% of New Zealand’s paid employment.

The industries that employ the most people In the Auckland region are business services (such as legal and accounting, marketing and management services), food and beverage manufacturing, health, hospitality, telecommunication services, building construction, machinery, and motor vehicle wholesaling.

Auckland's labour market has a high skills base, with more than 36% of employment in knowledge-intensive industries and 47.4% employed in high-skilled and medium-to-high skilled jobs. Auckland also accounts for half of New Zealand's technology workforce.

Climate

Auckland is warm, humid and changeable without extremes of temperature.

Summer temperatures: 14-24°C. Winter temperatures 7-15°C.

Average annual sunshine, 2,060 hours.

Top five migrant populations (2018 Census)

Many migrants have already made Auckland home. The table below shows where these migrants are moving from and demonstrates the diverse population you can expect to find in Auckland.

It can be comforting to know there are others, similar to you, who have experienced the move.

Country of origin and no. of migrants for each country 

Country of origin

No. of migrants

Asia

300,198 (19.1%)

Pacific Islands

122,594 (7.8%)

UK and Ireland 89,588 (5.7%)
Middle East and Africa 61,297 (3.9%)
Europe (excl. UK and Ireland) 34,578 (2.2%)

Now that you know about what Auckland has to offer, have a read about everyday life in the region, and services and support you can access.

In this section

Upcoming events in your region

Events for new migrants are regularly held throughout the country. Gain local insight into finding a job and getting setup and settled in New Zealand.

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