Rich history

The Auckland region has a rich history. Tamaki Makaurau (the traditional Maori name for the city of Auckland) was originally settled by Maori around 1350. In 1840, after European settlement has reached significant numbers, Governor William Hobson officially founded Auckland city (now the largest of the four cities and three districts in the Auckland region) after the land was purchased from a local tribe, Ngati Whatua.

Auckland was made the original capital in 1840 and remained so until 1865 when Wellington was deemed more suitable due to its central location. Auckland established itself early on as a commercial hub linking the timber millers, farmers and gum diggers with international traders, mainly Australia and England. Auckland soon became the busiest port in New Zealand and has not looked back since.

Auckland has grown steadily from a constant influx of immigrants from England, Australia, Eastern Europe and other countries to become New Zealand's largest city region by the turn of the 20th Century. Auckland region's population size and economic strength today positions the region as one of the most significant in Asia-Pacific.