Sky Tower
A tall tower in the city centre with observation decks, a revolving restaurant and a glass floor section. It gives wide views across the harbour, volcanic cones and islands of the Hauraki Gulf.
Auckland
Ferries to the islands, volcanic hills and the Sky Tower are all here, in the biggest city and main gateway, which lies between two harbours.
Attractive locations
Rangitoto Island
A young volcanic island in the Hauraki Gulf, formed in eruptions only a few hundred years ago. A short ferry ride leads to lava fields, forest and a walk to the summit.
Maungawhau / Mount Eden
A volcanic cone close to the city centre with a deep, grassy crater. A short climb to the rim gives some of the best all-round views of Auckland and its harbours.
Waitākere Ranges
Forested hills west of the city, with waterfalls, rainforest walking tracks and wild black-sand beaches such as Piha along the coast. A popular escape for walks and swimming.
Auckland Art Gallery
The city's main art museum, in a heritage building joined to a modern wing with a canopy of timber. It shows New Zealand, Māori and international art, along with changing exhibitions.
Waiheke Island
An island in the Hauraki Gulf reached by ferry from downtown Auckland. Visitors go for vineyards, olive groves, beaches and coastal walks.
Auckland War Memorial Museum
A museum on a hill in Auckland Domain, with Māori and Pacific collections, natural history galleries and war memorial halls. The building also gives views over the harbour.
Airports
Auckland International Airport AKL
It is about 18 km in a straight line from Auckland.
Great Barrier Aerodrome GBZ
It is about 92 km in a straight line from Auckland.
Hamilton International Airport HLZ
It is about 124 km in a straight line from Auckland.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the New Zealand page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan19.8 °C58 mm
- Feb20.4 °C64 mm
- Mar19.1 °C72 mm
- Apr17.0 °C83 mm
- May14.7 °C118 mm
- Jun12.6 °C106 mm
- Jul11.4 °C115 mm
- Aug11.8 °C100 mm
- Sep12.9 °C86 mm
- Oct14.2 °C80 mm
- Nov16.0 °C52 mm
- Dec18.2 °C81 mm
Driest months: Jan, Feb, Nov. Wettest months: May, Jun, Jul.
Costs
Prices here are about 86% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
festival
New Year's Eve at the Sky Tower
Among the first major new-year fireworks anywhere on the planet.
festival
New Year's Eve at the Sky Tower
Among the first major new-year fireworks anywhere on the planet.
Who can help
Emergency
111 for police, fire and ambulance.
local government
New Zealand Police (111 and 105)
Helps with: National police. Call 111 when you need an emergency response from Police, Fire or Ambulance. Call 105 to report things that do not need urgent police help.
Who qualifies: Anyone in New Zealand, including visitors.
Phone: 111
ngo
New Zealand Red Cross
Helps with: New Zealand's national Red Cross society. Contact its national office in Wellington by phone or post for its humanitarian services.
Who qualifies: People in New Zealand who need its services.
Phone: 0800 733 27677
Address: 69 Molesworth Street, Thorndon, Wellington
embassy
Diplomatic missions in New Zealand (MFAT order of precedence)
Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy. The foreign ministry page lists heads of mission in New Zealand and the city each is based in.
Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own embassy or high commission.