Hauraki Gulf and the Barrier Islands

This large body of water is the Hauraki Gulf, which begins in the south at the Firth of Thames and exits into the Pacific Ocean in the north and northeast between the Coromandel Peninsula, Great Barrier Island, Little Barrier Island, and Cape Rodney. Within and along the sides of the gulf are around two dozen habitable islands as well as many more uninhabited rocky islands. Most of these can be seen on a clear day. The majority of the islands are the result of tectonic rifting that is slowly pulling the gulf and surrounding land apart, while the remaining islands such as Rangitoto and Little Barrier Island are extinct volcanic cones.

For around 550 years, Māori lived along the shores of the gulf and traded between its many islands, bays, and harbours. When the British government set out to found a capital city for New Zealand in 1841, they chose to situate it on the Hauraki Gulf because the large outer islands provided protection from rough seas and gave plenty of vantage points to observe approaching ships. Even though the capital moved, Auckland remains an important trade port in large part due to the benefits provided by the Hauraki Gulf.

Turn right and walk down the esplanade.