What is the population of Auckland?
Auckland has a city population of 1,547,200. That is the population within the city's own boundary, not its wider metropolitan area. City population, GeoNames.
City profile · New Zealand · Oceania
Auckland
City population
1,547,200
#1
in New Zealand
#1
in Auckland
#301
worldwide
-36.849, 174.763 · 493 km from Wellington
About Auckland
Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, home to about 1.7 million people—roughly one-third of the country's population. Built on a volcanic field with 53 volcanoes, Auckland is the only city in the world to have harbors on two separate bodies of water (Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea). Known as the 'City of Sails,' Auckland has more boats per capita than any other city and offers an exceptional outdoor lifestyle.
Metro population
1,695,000
0.020% of world population
Archive estimateAnnual growth
+1.35%
Archive estimateDensity
1,538/km²
1,102 km² metro area
Key Facts
Country
Region
Rank in region
#1of 14
Founded
1840
Leadership
Wayne Brown
Coordinates
-36.849, 174.763
Record updated
2 May 2026
Entry edited, not measured
City population, GeoNames. GeoNames publishes no year for its population figures, so “record updated” is when the entry was last edited — not the date the population was measured. Elevation is modelled from a digital elevation model rather than surveyed, so it is approximate.
Nearby Cities
All 47 in New ZealandClosest listed cities by great-circle distance from the city centre.
Compared with the World's Largest Cities
City-proper population against the fifteen largest cities in the dataset.
| Name | City population |
|---|---|
| Shanghai | 24.9M |
| Beijing | 19M |
| Shenzhen | 17.5M |
| Guangzhou | 16.1M |
| Kinshasa | 16M |
| Istanbul | 15.7M |
| Lagos | 15.4M |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 14M |
| Chengdu | 13.6M |
| Lahore | 13M |
| Mumbai | 12.7M |
| São Paulo | 12.4M |
| Mexico City | 12.3M |
| Karachi | 11.6M |
| Tianjin | 11.1M |
| Auckland | 1.55M |
Airports
Scheduled-service airports within 100 km, nearest first.
- Auckland International AirportAKL
18 km from the city centre
Source: OurAirports, matched by distance.
History
Auckland was founded in 1840 as New Zealand's capital, built on Māori land (Tāmaki Makaurau). It was New Zealand's capital until 1865 when the seat moved to Wellington. The city developed as New Zealand's commercial center and port. Post-war immigration diversified Auckland, particularly with Pacific Island and Asian migration. Auckland now hosts the world's largest Polynesian population.
Economy
Auckland generates about 37% of New Zealand's GDP. Key sectors include finance, technology, tourism, education, and professional services. The port is New Zealand's largest, handling most imports. The city is a growing tech hub (sometimes called 'Silicon Welly's' rival). Film industry infrastructure supports major productions. Auckland is a gateway for tourists exploring New Zealand.
Culture
Auckland is highly multicultural, with significant Māori, Pacific Islander, and Asian communities. Māori culture is visible in art, language, and cultural practices. The city has excellent museums, galleries, and performing arts venues. Food reflects diversity—Pacific fusion, Asian cuisines, and local seafood feature prominently. Coffee culture rivals Melbourne. The outdoor lifestyle is central to Auckland identity.
Transportation
Auckland is car-dependent compared to other developed cities, though improving. Trains and buses serve the metropolitan area with AT HOP card integration. Ferries connect harbor suburbs and islands. Auckland Airport is New Zealand's busiest international gateway. The City Rail Link (tunnel project) will transform downtown accessibility. Cycling infrastructure is expanding but limited.
Current Challenges
Auckland faces severe housing affordability crisis—among the world's most unaffordable cities relative to income. Traffic congestion is significant for a city its size. Infrastructure investment lags population growth. Water supply relies on dams vulnerable to drought. The city must retrofit for earthquake resilience. Urban sprawl challenges sustainability goals.
Highlights
Landmarks & Attractions
- Sky Tower (328m, Southern Hemisphere's tallest structure)
- Harbour Bridge
- Viaduct Harbour
- Auckland War Memorial Museum
- Rangitoto Island (volcanic island)
- Mount Eden (volcanic cone)
- Waitemata Harbour
- Ponsonby Road
What Auckland Is Known For
- Sailing
- Volcanoes
- Harbors
- Polynesian culture
- Outdoor lifestyle
- Sky Tower
Universities
- University of Auckland
- Auckland University of Technology
- Massey University Auckland
Sports Teams
- Blues (rugby)
- Auckland FC (football)
- New Zealand Breakers (basketball)
Interesting Facts
- Auckland is built on a volcanic field with 53 volcanoes (mostly dormant)
- The city has more boats per capita than any other—earning 'City of Sails'
- Rangitoto Island emerged from the sea just 600 years ago—very young geologically
- Auckland has the world's largest Polynesian population
- Sky Tower is the Southern Hemisphere's tallest freestanding structure
- New Zealand hosted the America's Cup in Auckland (2000, 2003, 2021)
Population Trend in New Zealand
No free source publishes city population back to 1950, so the parent country's series is shown instead.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 1,911,263 |
| 1960 | 2,379,481 |
| 1970 | 2,822,177 |
| 1980 | 3,146,327 |
| 1990 | 3,396,979 |
| 2000 | 3,857,574 |
| 2010 | 4,347,770 |
| 2020 | 5,069,895 |
| 2030 | 5,407,349 |
| 2040 | 5,617,291 |
| 2050 | 5,755,288 |
| 2060 | 5,833,202 |
| 2070 | 5,859,042 |
| 2080 | 5,864,587 |
| 2090 | 5,836,503 |
| 2100 | 5,812,293 |
Auckland Population FAQ
Where is Auckland?
Auckland is in Auckland, New Zealand, 493 km from the capital, Wellington. Its coordinates are -36.849, 174.763.
How big is Auckland compared with other cities in New Zealand?
It is the 1st largest of the 47 cities listed in New Zealand, holding 29.1% of the national population.