Auckland region

The natural environment of Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland has a diverse range of ecosystems and landforms spanning harbours and estuaries, lakes and streams, productive soils, indigenous forest, maunga, ranges and motu. Auckland also includes Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest city, home to over a third of New Zealand’s population at nearly 1.8 million. Urban areas account for 12% of the region. Exotic grassland and pasture remain the dominant land cover class in Tāmaki Makaurau reflecting the extensive historical modification of the landscape. 

Current and future choices about where and how Tāmaki Makaurau grows, influences how we address environmental degradation, and the opportunities to use growth to restore our natural environment.