Figure 1.--. |
|
Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, with a population of just under 346,000 within the city boundary and 1.1 million in the greater Auckland area. This is nearly one-third of the population of the whole country. The city and suburbs cover an area of 60 square kilometres, with many of the suburbs having their own unique character. Many suburbs command fine views, with the most prestigious found around the eastern bays, Remuera and Parnell.
Auckland is build around several very small "mountain," actually large hill created from volcanic cones. Their names have been given to the surronding suburbs, Mount Eden, Mount Albert, Mount Wellington, Mount St. John, and so on. They were often used a fortified positions by the Maori before the Europeans arrived. Auckland is built on a narrow isthmus between two harbours, the Waitemata to the East and the Manukau to the West. The Waitemata is the main deep water shipping access, with extensive wharf facilities and New Zealand's largest container port. Water sports are a pastime enjoyed by a large number of Aucklanders
and the city is often called the "City of Sails" due the number of yachts which sail in the harbours and the adjoining Hauraki Gulf. Surrounded by extinct volcanoes and a myriad of picturesque islands in the Gulf, Auckland is presently home to the America's Cup, which will be defended at the end of next year. Auckland is "gateway" to New Zealand for most oversa visitors. The Auckland airport serves 45 airlines. The number of passenger movements through the airport numbered about 8 million in 1998. Cruise ships call each year especially during the summer period, with many of the passengers taking the opportunity
to take tours of Auckland and the other tourist attractions of the country.
The city of Auckland is the retail and commercial centre of New Zealand, with a number of head offices and businesses servicing commerce, manufacturing and tourism. Because it is the focal business centre for the region a large number of people commute daily into the city by bus, ferry, rail and private car. Auckland is not jyst a gateway, but has many tourist attractions of its own. The area has several spacious and clean beaches. The main tourist attractions within the city include: the Auckland Museum which houses one of the best Maori and Polynesian collections in the world, the Maritime Museum on the waterfront, Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World Aquarium, the Rugby Hall of Fame, the City Art Gallery and New Gallery, the Museum of Transport and Technology, the Auckland Zoo, Sky City Casino,
Cornwall Park, and the many ferry and scenic harbour cruises which operate to the North Shore and islands of the Hauraki Gulf. There are also a number of historic
places and houses open for viewing. Fine views of the city can be obtained from the Sky City Tower, Mount Eden and One Tree Hill. Auckland is also New Zealand’s undisputed immigration hub. Auckland once looked very European with a rather stayed life style, the Maori mostly living in rural areas. Modern Auckland, however, has changed. It has become a vibrant, modern multi-cultural city. The change is visible evertwhere, the faces in the street, the cafes, shops and restaurants, even the television and radio stations shouts the new multicultural city. Many of its citizens are relatively recent arrivals. The city’s melting pot status is certainly reflected in the rolls of many schools. In terms of sheer numbers Auckland has easily more Pakeha (European), Pacific Islands, Maori and Asian school students than any other region of the country. It is also the only region in which students from Pacific Islands backgrounds outnumber Maori students.
