17 things to know before you go to Auckland

10.10.2023 - 00:43 / lonelyplanet.com

With a population of around 1.6 million, Auckland is New Zealand’s only big city. Despite its size, it is a generally safe and surprisingly easy-going place to visit.

One-third of residents were born overseas, which is why you'll find Auckland a very cosmopolitan place with strong British, Asian and Pacific Islander influences. This mix underscores the city's appreciation for different cultures, and travelers will feel welcomed in many places.

It might be New Zealand’s largest city but note: it is not the capital! Here are some other things to know before you visit.

Auckland is a relatively informal city. There are very few places you need to dress up to go to, even if you’re catching a show at the theater or going to a nice restaurant for dinner. While many people do dress up to go out, you can also wear jeans almost everywhere, so don’t feel like you need to pack your best clothes if you’re short on luggage space.

Your first introduction to Auckland will probably be at the airport. To protect the natural environment, New Zealand has very strict laws around what you can and cannot bring into the country. Read the form carefully and declare any item that could be restricted or deemed a risk to biosecurity to Customs officials. This could include food, feathers, shells, seeds, wooden items, traditional/herbal medicines, and sports or outdoor equipment that you've used overseas. It’s much quicker and easier to declare than to accidentally bring prohibited items into the country and experience longer processing times.

There are several beautiful hikes around Auckland, so good hiking shoes will come in handy. To help protect Auckland’s native bush, give them a good clean before you come; otherwise, they may have to be cleaned at the airport during customs checks (more on that below).

Auckland has several native forests with walking or hiking trails through the trees. Before you enter, you may see a shoe cleaning station with brushes and spray for your shoes. This is to stop the spread of kauri dieback, a disease that affects the huge, native kauri trees. Clean your shoes before and after walking through the bush to help prevent it from spreading further.

While you may see the occasional tip jar at a cafe, tipping isn’t common in Auckland. Tips may be appreciated, but definitely aren’t expected, and tipping is the exception to the rule, rather than the norm. In fact, if you leave change on the table, don’t be surprised if your server tries to return it, thinking you accidentally left it there.

When you eat out in Auckland, restaurants and cafes may offer table service, or you may need to order food at the counter. If you order at the counter, you usually pay immediately, before eating. If there’s table service,