Introducing Auckland
Auckland’s a city of volcanoes, with the ridges of lava flows forming its main thoroughfares and its many cones providing islands of green within the sea of suburbs. As well as being by far the largest, it’s the most multicultural of NZ’s cities. A sizable Asian community rubs shoulders with the biggest Polynesian population of any city in the world.
The traditional Kiwi aspiration for a freestanding house on a quarter-acre section has resulted in a vast, sprawling city. The CBD was long ago abandoned to commerce, and inner-city apartment living has only just started to catch on. While geography has been kind, city planning has been less so. Unbridled and ill-conceived development has left the centre of the city with some architectural embarrassments. To get under Auckland’s skin you’re best to head for the rows of Victorian and Edwardian villas in its hip inner-city suburbs.
Last updated: Sep 22, 2008
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People relaxing at Parnell Baths.
- Martin Robinson
- Lonely Planet photographer
