New Zealand Cities and Primary Industries

Auckland

Auckland describes itself as the “gateway” to New Zealand. Named after British politician, George Eden, Earl of Auckland (25 August 1784 – 1 January 1849), the city is home to a population of 1.3 million. It is the largest Polynesian city in the world. Residents’ ethnic backgrounds include Europe (63%), Maori (11%), Pacific Island (13%) and Asian (12%). The city is located on the North Island and surrounded by three harbours. It is divided for administrative purposes into four cities (Auckland, Manukau, North Shore and Waitakere) and three districts (Franklin, Rodney and Papakura).  Auckland is gaining an international reputation as an education destination-the University of Auckland and the Auckland University of Technology are there, and is growing quickly in terms of shops, restaurants and a thoroughly modern urban environment which, city officials claim, makes for one of the best lifestyles in the world.

Christchurch

The Garden City presents a wealth of public gardens and parks. Located on the east coast of the South Island, Christchurch residents enjoy a healthy, informal lifestyle. The primary industries are agriculture and timber, and there is a growing economy from tourism, light industrial engineering, software development, electronics, and education (two universities and 16 research institutions in the city and suburbs). Christchurch is a destination for sporting events and first-class facilities.

Wellington

Wellington is the perfect location for a capital city set as it is between a harbour and rolling green hills. According to Maori legend, the city was founded by the Polynesian navigator, Maui, who ‘’caught and pulled [a fish] to the surface…the fish became the North Island”. Today the city has a population of 163,824, while the Wellington region has 423,765 residents. Over a third of the region’s population is between the age of 15 and 64. Most work in communications services, finance and insurance, property and business services. These are well-educated people whose median income is higher than that of other cities in the country. Among the world’s sunniest capitals, Wellington has a maximum average temperature in the summer (January) of 20.3C/69F and in the winter, the thermometer is around 6.2C/43F.

Primary Industries in Wellington
Creative Industries, Film/Television, Information and Communication Technology, Manufacturing, Education, Biotechnology, Consulting and Professional Services, Contact (Call) Centres