Auckland highlights
Rangitoto at sunset
The Auckland region reaches from the Kaipara Harbour entrance and Mangawhai in the north, to the Waikato River and Miranda in the south.
Two thirds of this land is on islands in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park and on the remote Kermadec Islands, with the remaining third including some 300 protected areas scattered across on the mainland. There are more than 2000 places of Māori or early European cultural heritage value in the Auckland region.
The Hauraki Gulf Marine Park was established by special legislation in 2000. The park protects in perpetuity the natural and historic features of the Hauraki Gulf, which are of national and international importance. The park covers 1.2 million hectares, including the Waitemata Harbour, Firth of Thames and east coast of the Coromandel.
There are five marine reserves in the region, including New Zealand's oldest, the Cape Rodney-Okakari Marine Reserve (also known as Goat Island), and largest, the Kermadec Islands Marine Reserve.
Hauraki Gulf islands such as Little Barrier (Hauturu) are sanctuaries for rare and endangered native animals and plants. Others like Tiritiri Matangi are showcases for community-led restoration projects where native species now thrive. Major community conservation projects are also in train on Motutapu, Motuihe and Motuora islands.