vast riches, including its forested hills, productive volcanic soils and harbours full of seafood.

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1 Welcome

2 Our beautiful city With an irresistible combination of magnificent natural scenery and a vibrant city lifestyle, Auckland is a place of exciting contrasts and endless adventures. New Zealand s indigenous people, the Māori, called this land Tāmaki Makaurau, a maiden desired by a hundred lovers. It was a place fought over for its vast riches, including its forested hills, productive volcanic soils and harbours full of seafood. Auckland is a region full of incredible diversity. Beautiful scenery, world-class shopping, fine food and wine, rich culture, a buzzing cosmopolitan lifestyle and plenty of action and adventure it s all here waiting to be discovered.

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4 Don t miss Muriwai s vast gannet colony Walk among rare native wildlife on Tiritiri Matangi Whale and dolphin spotting on the Hauraki Gulf Walking in the bush-clad Waitakere Ranges Snorkelling at Goat Island Marine Reserve

5 aucklandnz.com/conventions 4 A stunning natural playground Auckland s diverse landscapes provide countless opportunities to get immersed in nature. In the west, lush native rainforest plunges down the hills to meet the sea on dramatic black sand beaches, while the east s sheltered golden sand beaches are fringed with red-flowering pohutukawa trees. To the north, the rolling hills of wine country meet stunning coastlines and to the south are picturesque country gardens, unspoilt forest and tranquil bays to explore. Animal lovers can get up close to the world s friendliest fish at Goat Island Marine Reserve or walk among rare native birds on Tiritiri Matangi Island s open wildlife sanctuary. Visit the famous gannet colony at Muriwai or venture out on the Hauraki Gulf to see whales, dolphins and little blue penguins at play.

6 5 aucklandnz.com/conventions Island adventures Auckland s Hauraki Gulf Marine Park encompasses an incredible 1.2 million hectares of coast, sea and islands and there are so many ways to explore it. The gulf is dotted with hundreds of emerald isles, and many of the most popular are easily accessible by ferry, light plane or helicopter.

7 aucklandnz.com/conventions 6 Don t miss Waiheke Island s boutique wineries Panoramic views from the top of Rangitoto Island The remote beauty of Great Barrier Island Tiritiri Matangi Island s wildlife sanctuary Rotoroa Island s fascinating history The jewel of the Hauraki Gulf is Waiheke Island, a haven of beautiful vineyards, olive groves, farm land and beaches. Sample award-winning wines at some of the 30 boutique vineyards and wineries, enjoy fine dining and pick up superb local artwork. Auckland s most iconic island is the volcanic cone of Rangitoto explore by foot or take the 4WD road train to the summit for breathtaking 360-degree views. Tiritiri Matangi Island wildlife sanctuary is one of the most successful conservation projects in the world and a great destination for nature lovers. Discover the rugged beauty of Great Barrier Island, visit Kawau Island s historic mansion house or take a day trip to Rotoroa Island, open to the public for the first time in 100 years. Every island is unique, but they all share beautiful beaches, walking trails and breathtaking views. Simply relax and take in the glorious scenery or get active with a spot of fishing, swimming, hiking or kayaking.

8 Don t miss Personal pampering at a luxurious day spa Designer fashion in the High Street and Britomart precincts Newmarket a shopper s paradise Ponsonby s popular boutiques Handcrafted jewellery, upmarket homeware, art and fashion in Parnell

9 aucklandnz.com/conventions 8 Retail and relaxation It s easy to indulge in a little pampering or some top-notch retail therapy when you re in Auckland. The city has a number of thriving shopping precincts for visitors to explore. The beautifully restored historical buildings in the downtown Britomart precinct, are home to the flagship stores of New Zealand s most internationally successful designers, alongside top international labels. The retail landscape extends beyond the central business district (CBD) and into the bustling city fringes of Ponsonby, Parnell and Newmarket. Auckland also has a number of world-class day spas offering luxurious health and beauty treatments the perfect way to unwind on a busy trip. Try a greenstone massage for a uniquely New Zealand experience that will leave you walking on air. For serious shoppers, take a customised shopping tour to find that perfect designer dress or a oneof-a-kind piece of art or jewellery to take home.

10 9 aucklandnz.com/conventions The flavours of the pacific World-class chefs, divine flavours and award-winning wines created right here. Auckland boasts a vast range of restaurants, bars and cafés to suit every age, taste and budget, from fresh fish and chips at the Auckland Fish Market to fine cuisine at one of the many harbourside eateries. The city fringe suburbs of Ponsonby, Mission Bay and Parnell all offer great food, wine and people watching, or pick up fresh local goodies at one of the many weekend farmers markets across the region. Sample some of Auckland s internationally acclaimed wines, from the gorgeous countryside of Matakana in the north and Kumeu in the west to Waiheke Island, known as the island of wine. On top of all this, there is a multitude of superb food and wine events to please palates all year round. There s no going hungry in Auckland.

11 Don t miss Fine dining at North Wharf, Viaduct Harbour and Britomart Wine trails and vineyard restaurants The Auckland Fish Market Fresh produce at local farmers markets Food and wine festivals

12 Don t miss A cultural performance at Auckland Museum Auckland Art Gallery s world-class collection Cultural guided walking tour International shows at the Civic Theatre A spectacular cultural, arts or sporting event

13 aucklandnz.com/conventions 12 Vibrant art, culture and events Auckland is not only the world s largest Polynesian city, it is a melting pot of cultures from across the globe. It s no wonder then that Auckland has such an abundance of enriching experiences on offer. Immerse yourself in Māori culture see the amazing collection of Māori taonga (treasures) at the Auckland Museum and catch one of the daily cultural performances. Take a walking tour of Auckland s volcanoes with a guide from the local iwi (tribe), visit Te Hana Te Ao Marama, an incredible fortified pa and 17th century Māori village replica, or sail the harbour on a traditional sailing waka. Be sure to visit the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, housing more than 15,000 artworks from the old masters to some of New Zealand s best contemporary artists. History buffs can unravel the region s stories at fascinating heritage sites across the region. Auckland attracts many large scale international events, including smash hit Broadway shows, global sporting events, theatre, ballet and concerts by some of the world s biggest music acts. The calendar is also full of exciting festivals that draw huge crowds the Pasifika Festival celebrates Auckland s Pacific heritage; the Auckland Diwali Festival is a riot of Indian music, dance and food, and the Auckland Lantern Festival marks the Chinese New Year with hundreds of handcrafted lanterns illuminating Albert Park. There s always something happening in Auckland no matter what time of year you visit.

14 13 aucklandnz.com/conventions Make your own adventure Many travellers come to New Zealand in search of adrenaline pumping adventure and Auckland has more than enough to go around. Whether it s something wild or something mild, Auckland is a place where you can make your own adventure. Head up the Sky Tower, the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere, for incredible 360- degree views across the city the brave can even SkyJump off it (New Zealand s highest base jump) or SkyWalk around its exterior on a narrow walkway 192 metres above the ground. Climb under, up and over the Auckland Harbour Bridge or bungy jump off it. Take a spin on the harbour on a thrilling jet boat ride, go mountain biking or quad biking, or rumble around Auckland on the back of a mighty Harley Davidson. There are lots of great activities that run all year round, from the relaxing to the adventurous. Become part of the crew on an America s Cup racing yacht, enjoy a harbour dinner cruise, go dolphin and whale spotting, or visit New Zealand s only indoor snow resort, where you can hit the slopes whatever the season.

15 Don t miss Bungy jumping from the Auckland Harbour Bridge Sailing on the beautiful Waitemata Harbour Blokarting along the beach High speed sightseeing on a thrilling jet boat ride Get competitive with clay bird shooting and archery Climb a volcano for incredible views

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17 aucklandnz.com/conventions 16 A thriving business and innovation hub With a population of 1.5 million and growing, Auckland is the financial and economic powerhouse of New Zealand, contributing 35 per cent of the national gross domestic product. It is the head office for many of New Zealand s leading companies, covering sectors including food and beverage, information and communications technology (ICT), life sciences, banking, accounting, insurance, hospitality, retail and transport and logistics. Forbes magazine ranked New Zealand first on its 2012 list of the Best Countries for Business, up from number two in 2011, due to a transparent and stable business climate that encourages entrepreneurship.'' Auckland is a city on the move. It is the heart of the food and beverage industry in New Zealand, both in processing and wholesaling. It has a worldwide reputation for boatbuilding and precision engineering, and there is a wide range of smart, innovative companies producing leading edge products from digital media to medical devices. Business innovation starts with new ideas, new research and an ever-growing pool of talent. Auckland is home to New Zealand s leading university, The University of Auckland, which is ranked among the world s top 200 universities and is New Zealand s pre-eminent research-led institution.

18 17 aucklandnz.com/conventions Quality infrastructure Auckland has an excellent infrastructure network to support world-class meetings and conventions. With its compact CBD, everything is in close proximity generally within a 15 minute walk or less. Auckland s CBD offers over 6,000 rooms that range in style from 2-star to 5-star accommodation. With internationally recognised hotel brands through to gorgeous boutique options, there is something to suit every accommodation requirement. Auckland also boasts premium meeting and convention facilities, including two large purpose built convention centres and a number of hotels and venues that cater for large scale conferencing. Auckland Airport is one of the easiest international airports you ll travel through and new public transport and road infrastructure makes Auckland easy to get around. New Zealand has an official quality assurance organisation, Qualmark, that provides a trusted guide to quality travel experiences. Qualmark makes it easy for travellers to select high quality places to stay, things to do and ways to get around. When you see a business displaying the Qualmark symbol you can be assured that the business has met stringent quality standards and environmental criteria.

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20 19 aucklandnz.com/conventions Accessible Auckland Kaitaia Whangarei Kerikeri Auckland AKL Tauranga Whakatane Auckland is the best-connected city in It s easy to get around Auckland, with a wide range Hamilton Rotorua New Zealand, easily accessible to visitors from of transport options including buses, trains and New Plymouth Taupo Gisborne overseas and around the country. Over 70 per cent of visitors to New Zealand fly in to and out of Auckland Airport. So it s reassuring ferries, tours, private chauffeur and limousine services, as well as rental cars and motorhomes for those who want to explore further. Restaurants, bars, shopping precincts and major attractions Wanganui Wellington Nelson Napier Palmerston North Masterton to know that Auckland has been voted one of the are also within walking distance of numerous Blenheim top 10 airports in the world for two years in a row event venues and accommodation options. and number one in the entire Australasian region. Christchurch Auckland Airport handles over 13 million passengers a year and is served by 21 international airlines, making it Australasia s second busiest international airport after Sydney. It is also by far the best connected airport domestically. Queenstown Dunedin 300+ Daily domestic flights to 27 cities in New Zealand

21 TO/FROM LOS ANGELES TO/FROM LONDON International airlines at Auckland Airport Code share airlines at Auckland Airport *Route and airline information correct at time of printing. Connecting Auckland to the world 33 cities 21 international airlines

22 21 aucklandnz.com/conventions HAURAKI GULF & ISLANDS Wildlife sanctuaries. Volcanic islands. Secluded bays. Adventure on, in or by the water. Fishing and sailing. GOAT ISLAND MATAKANA KAWAU ISLAND GREAT BARRIER ISLAND Adventures in every direction From the city centre, there s a huge range of things to see and do, under an hour away. Explore the sparkling waters and emerald islands of the Hauraki Gulf or the shopping and café culture of the fringe suburbs. Take in the rugged black sand beaches of the wild west coast or the golden sandy bays of the east. Discover the boutique vineyards in the north or the vibrant Polynesian culture of the south. And if you have time do it all. WEST AUCKLAND Big surf. Black sand beaches. The Waitakere Ranges. Kumeu wines. Artists colonies. MURIWAI BEACH TE HENGA BEACH PIHA BEACH KUMEU OREWA WAITAKERE RANGES NORTH AUCKLAND Pristine seas, white sand. Vineyards. Sculpture parks. Farmers markets. North Shore lifestyle. Bays and beaches. Gulf views. AUCKLAND CENTRAL WHANGAPARAOA TAKAPUNA BEACH RANGITOTO ISLAND DEVONPORT MANUKAU HOWICK TIRITIRI MATANGI ISLAND CENTRAL CITY & SURROUNDS Harbourside restaurants. Shopping and nightlife. The café scene. Ferries to everywhere. Mission Bay, Newmarket and Parnell. CLEVEDON WAIHEKE ISLAND Whether you re seeking rest and relaxation AWHITU PENINSULA HUNUA RANGES or action and adventure, there are memories to be made in every direction. SOUTH AUCKLAND Pacific food and culture. Otuatua Stonefields. Manukau Harbour. Rolling pastures. PUKEKOHE EAST AUCKLAND Beachside suburbs. City meets country. Clevedon markets. Seabird Coast. Golden beaches.

23 aucklandnz.com/conventions 22 Useful information i-sites New Zealand s official visitor information network has centres right across the country. The friendly staff can advise on and book a range of activities, attractions, transport and accommodation throughout Auckland and beyond. Climate and seasonality Auckland enjoys a sub-tropical climate without extremes of temperature. Summer is from December to February, autumn (fall) is March to May, winter is June to August and spring is September to November. The average daily temperature during January and February is 23 degrees Celsius (74 Fahrenheit) and 14 degrees Celsius (57 Fahrenheit) during July and August. Electricity 230 Volts, 50 Hertz. Australian/New Zealand three pin socket: Driving In New Zealand, drive on the left hand side. Rental companies will usually ask for an international driver s licence, with a minimum age of 21. Health and vaccinations No vaccination certificates are required and hospitals provide a high standard of treatment. Medical services are not free to visitors so health insurance is recommended. Visas Travellers from over 50 countries do not require a visitor s visa for stays of less than three months. For further information visit immigration.govt.nz. Goods and Services Tax (GST) GST of 15% is included in most purchases and cannot be claimed back by overseas visitors. Shopping Normal shopping hours from Monday to Saturday are 9am-5pm; some stores and malls have longer hours and late nights. Malls and major shopping areas are usually open normal hours on Sundays; shops in some smaller retail areas may be closed. Tipping Tipping is not expected but you may wish to reward special service or kindness. Languages spoken English is the common and everyday language in New Zealand, with Māori also an official language. Mobile telephones New Zealand operates on a 900 or 1800 MHz network, as do most countries except Canada and USA. Mobile telephones from these countries will not operate in New Zealand. You can buy or rent a New Zealand compatible phone or SIM card upon arrival. Smoke free policies It is illegal to smoke in many indoor spaces, including most workplaces, function and hospitality venues, cinemas, pubs and restaurants, as well as public transport. Cigarettes cannot be sold to anyone under 18. Safety and security New Zealand is generally a very safe place to travel, with a relatively low crime rate. The country is rated second on the Global Peace Index for 2012, with a high respect for human rights, friendliness toward foreigners, and an extremely low risk of political instability or internal conflict. However it is advisable to observe the same safety precautions as you would in any other country or at home.

24 Auckland Convention Bureau aucklandnz.com/conventions