Reuters Business Traveller

Auckland – Overview

Regularly voted one of the world’s best places to live, cosmopolitan Auckland lies to the north of New Zealand’s astoundingly beautiful north island. With the world’s largest boat ownership per capita and two harbours — Manukau on the west coast and Waitemata on the east — half an hour after touching down at the airport, you can be heading at speeds approaching 60 knots around the many surrounding isles and volcanic cones of the Hauraki Gulf.

There are a lot of Aucklanders — 1.4 million, about one-third of the country’s entire population — and they live in the retail and commercial centre of New Zealand. The central business district rolls up the hills from the Viaduct Harbour with its trendy bars, to Karangahape Road, known for its club scene and art galleries. At 328m, the Sky Tower is the tallest structure in the southern hemisphere and is an iconic feature of the Auckand skyline. Another unmissable symbol is Auckland Harbour Bridge, which connects Auckland to the North Shore.

From the inner-city suburbs packed with expensive housing, designer boutiques, restaurants and cafés, to the giant regional parks, beaches and vineyards all within easy driving distance, there’s always somewhere new to explore here.

-Money: New Zealand Dollars (NZ$)

All major credit cards are recognised and New Zealand has an almost universal EFTPOS system and an extensive 24-hour cash machine network.