Auckland, New Zealand
Auckland is the most populous city of New Zealand, and it is situated between two harbors: Waitemata to the east and Manukau to the west. The city was established by Governor William Hobson in 1840 and named after George Eden, the Earl of Auckland. Auckland is a highly-diverse city, comprising of the country's largest percentage of Maori and Polynesians.
In 1853, the Auckland province was established with around 10,000 European settlers, and the city of Auckland became a trading center concentrated on the dairy industry. Just as the province was founded, another city in New Zealand was rapidly growing with population. Auckland was the capital of New Zealand until 1865, when the city of Wellington was then named the nation's capital. Not long after, in 1876, Auckland had grown to a large enough city that the province was abolished.
Today, Auckland continues to be renowned for its dairy farms and agricultural practices. It is well-known for exporting products including steel, iron, meat, and dairy items. The primary language is English, and Maori Sign Language is also popular. The nation's currency is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD); 1 NZD equals $0.68 USD.
Location
Job Opportunities
Auckland is well-known for its tourism, construction, and agriculture industries. Common jobs in the tourism industry include transportation, hospitality, and operating many entertainment venues. Auckland's construction industry has only increased. From rebuilding architecture (including Christchurch) following the 2010 earthquake to working as a carpenter, bricklayer, or any other construction profession, this industry has seen a large increase in demand. As for the agriculture industry, New Zealand is known for its dairy farms and exporting products worldwide. Serving as New Zealand's largest industry, agriculture involves exporting meat and dairy products. Agricultural jobs include animal farming, logging, animal science and research, in addition to fruit picking and other farm assistance. From tourism to the agriculture industry, Auckland is a booming job market both in downtown and rural areas.
Cost of Living
Living in the city center is comparably more expensive than living in suburbs of Auckland. Apartments are most common for in-city living, and range in price from NZD $1,900 to $3,500 ($1,350 to $2,500 USD), depending on the number of bedrooms and location. Living in suburbs is also plausible; however, prices are not much more inexpensive than living in the city center. A one-bedroom apartment in the outskirts may average NZD $1,700 ($1,225 USD), while a larger unit may run around NZD $2,700 ($1,900 USD).
Typical utilities, including electricity, water, heating and cooling, average around NZD $200 ($140 USD) per month. For typical internet usage and unlimited data, prices average around NZD $75 ($54 USD). Although there are plenty of public transit options, including buses and ferries, owning a car is also an option. The least expensive brand-new cars may cost NZD $30,000 ($21,500 USD), and the average gas prices annually are near NZD $8.46 ($6.10 USD).
Transportation
Auckland Transport Link buses consist of the Red, Green, and Orange Lines. The Red Line travels around the city's business district; the Green Line travels around central Auckland through both business and tourist districts; and the Orange Line hits some of Auckland's closest suburbs before heading downtown. This is convenient for going to and from work, as prices for one ride are between NZD $1 ($0.68 USD) and top out around NZD $5.50 ($3.75 USD). An at hop card can be purchased to reduce fares, and the card is easily rechargeable; this can be applied to all forms of Auckland transport.
Ferries are also a great way to get around Auckland. This allows for easy access to the islands of New Zealand, including Waiheke Island. Average one-way tickets cost NZD $6.90 ($5 USD), and round-trip tickets start around NZD $12.50 ($9 USD). At hop cardholders have unlimited access to fairy service during a 24-hour time period, which is all included in the original ticket.
Recreation
Auckland boasts a great deal of hiking trails, ranging from thirty minutes to a few hours long. One notable area is the Eskdale Reserve, a scenic park with boardwalks and trees. There is also Mount Eden (Maungawhau), an extinct volcano to enjoy hiking nearby. For more historic sights, the War Memorial Museum of Auckland includes natural history, science, and archaeological displays from Auckland's history. Located near Auckland Domain Park, there is also room to go hiking, biking, and picnicking, all while visiting the museum area.
Auckland also has its share of sports activities. More popular competitions include rugby, the national sport of New Zealand; and cricket, with the national Black Caps team. Other sports include football and netball, with the Silver Ferns being the national netball team. In netball, there are two teams of 7 people and the objective is to throw a ball and score into goal rings. From rugby to netball, sports get very competitive in Auckland.
Climate
Spring is Auckland's warmest season, consisting of relatively warm temperatures. Between December and March, highs range from the low to mid 70s (19 to 24 degrees Celsius), with lows in the mid 50s to mid 60s (15 to 17 degrees Celsius). There is a steady amount of precipitation in Auckland, with the highest amounts coming in Winter (May through August). In these months, rain amounts range from four to five inches per month, whereas the other months see around three inches monthly.