Auckland, New Zealand has been nicknamed the City of Sails for good reason. With the Tasman Sea to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east, the city is nearly surrounded by water – and Aucklanders are famous for taking advantage of their geographical good fortune. It has been said that Aucklanders own more boats per capita than the residents of any other major city. Boat owners or no, most Greater Auckland residents are a 15 minute drive or less from the beach, with only nine kilometers – or about six miles! – separating the Pacific Ocean from the Tasman Sea at the city’s narrowest point.

Auckland was purchased from its original owners, the Ngati-Whatua tribe of Maori warriors, by the British in 1840. It served as New Zealand’s capital until 1865. It is located in the Southern Hemisphere – meaning wherever you are in the world, the seasons are very likely opposite yours. So Christmas comes in the summer, and July is cold and rainy. The climate is temperate, with temperatures in the summer averaging about 25 degrees C (75 degrees Fahrenheit) and average winter temperatures of 9 degrees C (48 degrees Fahrenheit). These temperatures are average – so it can get much warmer, and much colder (down close to freezing on the chilliest winter nights). It also rains frequently in all seasons of the year.

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