The first thing that strikes you about Auckland, New Zealand, if you look out to the water (not difficult since you’re surrounded by it), is the number of sailboats and yachts full-blown in the wind or at rest in a marina.
Much as Adelaide, in that big island to the northwest, is known as the City of Churches, so is Auckland known as the City of Sails.
But while Adelaide seeks to distance itself from an image of undeserved wowserism, Auckland just simply swells with pride at its City of Sails appellation.
Gateway to New Zealand
For many visiting New Zealand, Auckland is the country’s gateway. In fact, the majority of international flights originating in Europe and North America will have Auckland as its destination.
Of course, New Zealand has major international airports in Wellington and Christchurch also. Christchurch, for instance, has daily non-stop flights from a range of major European cities via Singapore, as well as a non-stop service from Los Angeles three or four times a week.
But it's Auckland that has been the major port of entry by air, although this may change in the future.
