Devonport, town in New Zealand on the northern part of North Island. Devonport lies across from Auckland at the neck of Waitemata Harbour, at the entrance to Hauraki Gulf and the Pacific Ocean. Devonport's pleasant environment, spectacular harbor views, and nearby sandy beaches have led to its development as a residential suburb of Auckland and a recreational area. The town is joined to Auckland across the harbor by the Auckland Harbour Bridge (completed in 1959) and a commuter ferry. The annual Auckland Anniversary Regatta, the world's biggest one-day regatta, is held in the harbor, and crowds flock to Devonport for the best views. Devonport is situated on volcanic rock, which is riddled with tunnels. The original Maori inhabitants built the tunnels and lived in them for 700 years until they were evicted in 1863. The tunnels were fortified against a feared Russian invasion in the 1870s. Population (1995) 17,100.
