Auckland, city in northern New Zealand, situated on an isthmus joining northwestern North Island and the North Auckland Peninsula. It borders on Manukau Harbour (an arm of the Tasman Sea) and Waitemata Harbour (an arm of the Pacific Ocean). The city, which has several extinct volcanoes within its boundaries, is a seaport and a naval base and a fishing, commercial, and manufacturing center. Products of the metropolitan area include iron and steel, processed food, machinery, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, forest products, and fertilizer. Among the points of interest in Auckland are the Auckland City Art Gallery, with a collection of paintings by European and New Zealand artists; the Auckland Institute and Museum, featuring exhibits on natural history and ethnology; the Melanesian Mission Museum; the Museum of Transport and Technology; and Parnell Rose Garden. The University of Auckland (1882) and the Auckland Institute of Technology (1964) are here. Auckland Harbour Bridge is the longest of several bridges linking the central city with its fast-growing suburban areas. New Zealand's main international airport is in Auckland.
Many Pacific Islanders moved to Auckland after World War II ended in 1945, and the urban area also contains a large number of Maori, descendants of the pre-European inhabitants of the country. Auckland was founded in 1840 as the capital of colonial New Zealand. In 1865 the capital was transferred from Auckland to Wellington. Auckland achieved city status in 1871. Population (1998 estimate) 1,076,100.
