History of Auckland

Auckland is known as the 'City of Sails' because of its inhabitants' passion for boats. On fine summer days the Hauraki Gulf is covered with sailing boats. Statistics show that one household in four owns a boat. In 1995 a New Zealand team won the America's Cup, so when it came to preparing for the Louis Vuitton and America's Cup in Waitemata Harbour in the year 2000 enthusiasm was high.

Tourist Attractions in Auckland

Auckland – Davonport
Northeast of the city center, beyond Waitemata Harbour, is the exclusive residential suburb of Devonport with its elegant villas and carefully tended gardens. This is very much a holiday place, with an active beach life, a yacht marina and expensive boutiques. Devonport also affords the finest view of the Auckland skyline.

Auckland - Ferry Building
The imposing Ferry Building, with its fine restaurant, forms a striking landmark on the harbor front. Built in English Baroque style of brick and sandstone on a base of Coromandel granite, it was completed in 1912 to the design of Alexander Wiseman.

Auckland - Kinder House
Kinder House is the house of John Kinder, a clergyman who came to Auckland in 1855 and who also made a name for himself as a painter and photographer. The building was built for Kinder in 1856-7 by Frederick Thatcher, the architect who did much work for Bishop Selwyn. It now houses a collection of views of Auckland by Kinder.

Auckland - New Zealand Maritime Museum
On Hobson Wharf, at the northwest end of Quay Street, is the New Zealand Maritime Museum, offering a comprehensive survey of the history of seafaring in New Zealand. The exhibits include Maori canoes and outrigger boats, whaling equipment and old instruments and implements. A section is devoted to New Zealand yachts that have distinguished themselves in international regattas. The exhibition includes the yacht in which a New Zealand crew skippered by Sir Peter Blake won the America's Cup in 1995.

Auckland - Queen Street
The city's busy main artery and show street is Queen Street, along which numerous high-rise office blocks occupied by banks, insurance companies and commercial firms have mushroomed. Between the Ferry Building and K' Road are department stores, shops and restaurants. There is a variety architecture in this area, with imposing colonial-period buildings rubbing shoulders with art-nouveau, art-deco and modern buildings.

Auckland - Sky Tower
West of Queen Street is the 328m Sky Tower, which is the new symbol of the city. From the viewing platform and revolving restaurant there is a magnificent panorama. Around the tower are grouped the buildings of Sky City, a postmodern complex with a luxury hotel and several restaurants.

Auckland - St Mary's Pro-Cathedral
Adjoining Selwyn Court, is St Mary's Pro-Cathedral (1888 by BW Mountfort; Anglican), in neo-Gothic style. This wooden building, one of the largest of its kind in the world, was originally on the other side of the street but was moved in 1982 to its present site beside the new Holy Trinity Cathedral.