"Last. Loneliest. Loveliest. Exquisite. Apart."

Rudyard Kipling's immaculate description of Auckland - on the last habitable landmass to be discovered - encapsulates perfectly still its special character. In the 1000 years since discovery by the Polynesian voyagers who first set foot on these islands, a rich history of human activity has imposed itself upon a remarkable natural environment.
 

The place now called Auckland lies between 2 oceans, on a narrow isthmus dominated by the multiple cones of an active volcanic field. It was first settled by Maori c.1100 whose hill-top fortresses are visible on almost every horizon. Auckland's islands and estuaries provided food in abundance, and by the mid-eighteenth century tens of thousands lived here - before internal strife and colonisation by Britain changed society and transformed the landscape. When the first settlers sailed into Auckland harbour in 1841 they did so past a landscape desolated by tribal warfare.

The city was founded in 1840 by William Hobson RN whose life we are told was the inspiration for author C S Forrester to create the character of Horatio Hornblower. It grew rapidly. A colourful array of Utopians and Idealists drifted here, encouraged by the prospect of a new start, whose presence was balanced by that of a staunch Administration. Initially it was a frontier town where hangings were carried out in the main street and gentlemen duelled in defence of their honour. Protected by the Albert barracks, Auckland grew by the 1880s into a busy port, through which most of the colony's trade passed. For a further 50 years the city dutifully functioned as a remote outpost of Empire, trading and contributing manpower through the Depression and 2 World Wars, in defence of God, King and Country.

Going it alone after the Second World War, New Zealand had to discover new ways to do things, and nowhere is Kiwi pragmatism, energy and independence of spirit more apparent than in Auckland. Post-war growth of immigration and trade greatly benefited the city. It is New Zealand's largest city and its largest market place. Now a bustling world metropolis, it is a vibrant multi-cultural place with a wide choice of quality dining, entertainment and shopping opportunities.

Typical Aucklanders, your Guides are a disparate bunch of refugees from real work bound simply and single mindedly by their passion for place. They love Auckland and would like to share it with you. They will take you where you would like to go, and places you didn't imagine existed.

May we introduce you to some of them -