Manukau Travel Guide, New Zealand

Manukau Travel Guide – Location

Manukau, New Zealand’s third largest city, is located in the northern part of the country, only 5 minutes drive from Auckland. Manukau’s 382 kilometers of coastline offer all types of attractions, from shopping centers to picturesque countryside. State highways 1 and 20 connect Manukau with the rest of the country.

Manukau Travel Guide – Geography and Climate

Manukau is connected to Auckland by a narrow strip of land, called the Otahuhu isthmus. The Tamaki River flows into the Hauraki Gulf, forming and estuary. The Hunua Ranges, with their mild slopes, forests, lakes and vast wilderness are the perfect weekend destinations for all outdoor lovers.

Manukau enjoys the same temperate climate as the rest of the country, with warm summers and mild winters. The average temperature in summer is 23˚C, while in winter thermometers maintain around 14˚C. Most days are sunny, and precipitations rarely exceed 1157 mm annually.

Manukau Travel Guide – Economy

Its favorable location has helped Manukau become the biggest transportation hub in the country. Auckland port has commercial relations with 73 countries and the Auckland International Airport, which is in fact located in Manukau, serves as a major gateway for both tourists and goods. Apart from shipping and commerce, Manukau diverse relief has facilitated the development of economic sectors as food processing, or timber exploitation and manufacturing. Also, the city is attracting more and more foreign investors, not to mention its important role as a retail centre.

Manukau Travel Guide – Transportation

As specified before in this Manukau travel guide, the city is served by Auckland International Airport, the biggest in the country. Taking the ferry is a good way to avoid traffic and admire the nice landscape. Within the city, the most affordable means of transportation are the municipal buses. Other transportation options include car renting, tour buses or bicycle renting (Manukau and its surroundings are very cyclist-friendly).

Manukau Travel Guide – Interesting Facts about Manukau

Manukau has a rich cultural heritage, being home to 165 ethnic groups. Although English is the official language of the country, less than half of the Manukau population is of European descent, so most residents are bilingual. Most Manukau travel guides attribute the origins of the name Manukau to the Maaori people. When they migrated to the island during the 9th and 14th centuries, they thought there were people calling them from the harbor. Later, they discovered the sound was made by birds, hence the name Manukau, ‘wading birds’. For more information about the area around Manukau, see Auckland Travel Guide and Auckland Sights.