Tāmaki Makaurau · North Island
Moving to
Auckland
New Zealand's biggest city, built around two harbours. Here is what living and working in Auckland is really like, including the busy bits.
- 1,797,300people (June 2024)
- $650/wkmedian rent, all homes
- 2,100sunshine hours a year (about)
- 38%of the national economy
30-second check
Is Auckland right for you?
Three quick questions about the way you like to live and work. It is a bit of fun and says nothing about visas.
0%
Auckland looks like a strong fit
You like variety and size, which is what Auckland offers most of. This is only a lifestyle check, so look at the job and visa side separately.
Worth a closer look
Auckland has parts of what you want. Read the jobs, weather and good-to-know sections, then compare it with a smaller city.
Maybe a smaller city instead
A quieter or smaller place may suit you better. Browse the other city guides, or talk it over with us.
What Auckland is known for
Swipe through what keeps Auckland busy.
Work in Auckland
Auckland has the widest spread of work in the country, from corporate and tech roles to hospitals, building sites and restaurants. Because the city is so large, employers are often looking for specialists, which can suit people with a trade or professional background.
The picture is not all upward. PwC's 2025 monitor says provisional estimates show Auckland's economy shrank in the year to March 2025, so check the job market for your field before you commit. Whether you can take a role depends on your visa, so start with the work visa guide.
The weather
Tap a season. The bars show the average daytime high for each month.
23°
average daytime high, December to February
Warm, with the hottest month on average in February. Harbours and beaches fill up at weekends.
20°
average daytime high, March to May
March still feels like summer, then it cools steadily into May.
15°
average daytime high, June to August
Mild by day, though wet spells can make it feel colder. A rain jacket matters more than a heavy coat.
18°
average daytime high, September to November
Warming slowly, with highs rising from 17° in September to 20° in November.
- 24°Jan
- 24°Feb
- 23°Mar
- 20°Apr
- 18°May
- 16°Jun
- 15°Jul
- 15°Aug
- 17°Sep
- 18°Oct
- 20°Nov
- 22°Dec
Source: NIWA climate averages 1991–2020 for Auckland (mean daily maximum, rounded; seasonal figures are the average of three months, rounded). NIWA's 1991–2020 average sunshine for Auckland is 2,121.8 hours a year.
What life is like
Auckland is a city of water and volcanic hills, with beaches on two coasts and an island a short ferry ride from the centre. It is also the most international place in New Zealand, so you will hear many languages on a normal day.
Size brings costs. The median rent across all homes is $650 a week, the highest of the three big cities on our guides, and many suburbs are spread out, so getting around takes planning. The new City Rail Link improves train trips on some routes, but it does not reach every suburb.
What locals love
- Beaches and harbour on both coasts
- Islands you can reach by ferry
- The widest choice of jobs, food and events in the country
- About 2,100 hours of sunshine a year
Good to know
- Median rent is $650 a week across all homes
- Distances are long, and getting around depends on where you live
- Auckland's economy shrank in the year to March 2025 on provisional figures
- Winter daytime highs are around 15°, so it is cooler than many people expect
Visas, study and community
Which visas fit
People come to Auckland on many kinds of visa. Common routes are a work visa with an accredited employer, a student visa for study at a university or college, and partner or family visas. Which one fits depends on your own situation, and the rules change, so always check with Immigration New Zealand.
Work visas → · Study visas → · Partner and family → · Residence →
Costing a move to Auckland? Work out the INZ fee for your visa with the visa fee calculator.
Immigration New Zealand runs a free information service for new migrants. Its contact centre is on 0508 558 855 (New Zealand landlines only) or +64 9 914 4100 from mobiles and overseas. Most people apply online.
Study
The University of Auckland has its City Campus at 34 Princes Street, plus campuses at Newmarket and Grafton, and describes itself as New Zealand's largest university. AUT has North, City and South campuses, with its City Campus at 55 Wellesley Street East.
Check each institution's own site for courses, fees and entry rules.
Community
Auckland Council's Welcoming Communities programme connects newcomers with locals through events and community groups. Five local boards (Albert-Eden, Pūketapapa, Kaipātiki, Whau and Ōtara-Papatoetoe) have been accredited as Committed Welcoming Communities.
The council also keeps a list of 19 organisations that help new migrants settle, including The Asian Network Incorporated (TANI), CNSST Foundation, Belong Aotearoa, the NZ Ethnic Women's Trust, the Pan-African Community Centre and Pacific Settlement Support Services. Belong Aotearoa is also listed in the government's ethnic communities directory.
You can also ask questions in our community forum →
Get help, wherever you are
You do not have to live in Auckland to talk to us. Book a free 20-minute chat by phone or video from anywhere in New Zealand or overseas. We share general information, not personal immigration advice.
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