In my post ‘A–Z of Place Names: Akaroa and Arrowtown (and a little about Auckland)‘, I promised I would dedicate a separate post to Auckland, so here it is.
This post is not a list of ‘Top 10 things to do in Auckland’, or something like that. There are plenty of sites that discuss the Sky Tower and Waiheke Island, and all there is to know about New Zealand’s biggest city.
Here are a few suggestions:
I’m not always a fan of Wikipedia, but its description of Auckland is comprehensive. It is also frequently updated. At the time of writing this post, the last update was made on 3 July.
This website focuses on what to see and do, where to eat, where to stay, public transportation and where to shop.
100% Pure New Zealand: Auckland
My Personal Experience
This post is more personal, offering a glimpse into what it’s really like to live in Auckland, which I hope you will find useful.
I’ve been here for a while now, so I’ve had plenty of time to reflect.
Over the years, I’ve developed a love–hate relationship with the city. And yet, I’m still here and likely to stay.
My feelings about Auckland often depend on the day. When I’m stuck in traffic, I swear I’ll never retire here; when I’m walking around the estuary and grab a coffee by the beachfront, I can’t imagine living anywhere else.
I’ll start with a bit of a rant before I touch on the good stuff.
Traffic: The Never-Ending Crawl
If you’ve ever driven anywhere in Auckland during peak hours (which, in the last few years, seems to be any time between 6 am and 7 pm), you’ll know what I mean.
You might think, “Well, that’s just rush hour,” but in Auckland, it’s always rush hour.
For example, a drive from Ōrewa to the city centre, according to Google Maps, should take no more than 30 minutes, in theory. But in peak-hour traffic, you can easily triple that time.
Public Transport
Since my move from Hawke’s Bay to Auckland 12 years ago, public transport has improved a lot.
The double-decker Northern Express buses, for example, are genuinely great. They get you from the North Shore as far as Hibiscus Coast (where I live) to the CBD quickly and reliably. They have their own lane, totally separate from the motorway, so while the cars are crawling at a snail’s pace, the buses zoom past. They’re especially convenient if you live near one of the stops.
What I don’t understand is that there is no convenient public transport from anywhere in Auckland to the airport. For a city of this size, it’s bizarre that we still don’t have a proper train line or even a reliable bus service to the airport. Taxis and shuttles are expensive, and driving means braving traffic (and risking missing your flight) and paying for parking.
Housing: Expensive and Subpar
Buying a house in Auckland is out of reach for many New Zealanders. The average house price is well over $1 million.
Renting isn’t much easier. Rents are high, but the quality of rentals is often poor. Many older homes are cold, damp and draughty. Heating a leaky home is costly, so many people live in three layers of clothing indoors and pretend it’s character-building.
On a positive note, a new law, the Healthy Homes Standards, came into effect on 1 July 2025, setting minimum standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture control and draught stopping in rental properties. All rental properties must now comply with these standards.
So Why Am I Still Here?
Once you look past the frustrations, Auckland is amazing.
First of all, I should say that I rarely make trips to the city because I work from home, so the traffic woes don’t affect me.
I’m also lucky enough to live in a beautiful beach town north of Auckland. It doesn’t feel like I’m living in a city. My rental is not cheap, but it’s comfortable and warm, so that’s a bonus.
A City That Disappears When You Need It To
One of my favourite things about Auckland is how quickly it stops feeling like a city.
I live north of the CBD, and within minutes of leaving home, I’m surrounded by greenery, birdsong, ocean views and walking trails. On a good day, it feels like paradise.
I took this photo on a walk just outside Long Bay Regional Park, which is a 20-minute drive from my home.
I can bike through native bush or wander down to the beach for a coffee, all without technically leaving Auckland.
There are many coffee shops in Ōrewa, and they all serve a great cup of coffee.
Beaches Everywhere
There’s a saying that in New Zealand, you’re never far from a beach. It’s true. No point in New Zealand is more than 120 km from the sea. In Auckland, it’s a lot less. The famous West Coast beaches of Piha, Muriwai, Karekare and Bethells, for example, are a 30–60 minute drive from the city centre.
The city is surrounded by water, making it easy to forget you’re in the country’s largest urban area.
Opportunities
Being the biggest city, Auckland is a magnet for job opportunities.
Whether you’re in tech, education, healthcare, the arts or construction, this is where the action is.
While the smaller provinces offer a better work–life balance, Auckland can be a huge draw if you’re trying to build a career or start something new.
Auckland is also a metropolitan city, and it’s a great place to meet people from all over the world.
Food and Coffee
Auckland has so many eateries that you could try something new every week and never run out of options.
Aucklanders love their coffee, and it shows. Every place in Auckland or the suburbs, big or small, has plenty of coffee shops to choose from, and they all serve very good coffee. We are truly spoilt for choice.
In my neighbourhood, which is a small suburb, there are five coffee shops within walking distance. Here is one of my favourites: Noire.
A Great Base for Bigger Adventures
Another reason to stick around is the location.
Auckland makes a great base for exploring the rest of New Zealand or beyond.
A couple of hours in the car gets you to the Coromandel, the Bay of Islands or the Waitomo glowworm caves.
Raglan, with its beautiful black beaches, is popular among surfers and is only a 2-hour drive from Auckland.
A short flight takes you to Queenstown, Wellington or Christchurch.
The Pacific Islands are also popular destinations, especially in the wet Auckland winters.
Auckland: Not Perfect, But It’s Home
Auckland can be frustrating. The traffic will test your patience, the housing market might make you cry, and sometimes, in winter, the rain feels never-ending.
But Auckland is also a place of beauty and opportunity, and that’s why I haven’t left.
When I wake up to the sound of tūī in the trees, I remember why I fell in love with it in the first place.
It’s not perfect, but it’s home.