This fall, the eyes of the world are focussed on Auckland during its six-week long Rugby World Cup, the final match scheduled for October 23. Held every four years, the Rugby World Cup is the third biggest sporting event in the world, featuring 20 nations competing in 48 matches. While attending UBC in Vancouver, our daughter took advantage of an opportunity to study for a semester at the University of Auckland in New Zealand's North Island. She loved it. In fact, after Canada, she reported that New Zealand was her second choice to live given the beauty of the country and the friendliness of the population. I understand her sentiments. First, one immediately appreciates the sea, for Auckland lies on an isthmus, less than two kilometres wide at its narrowest point, between Mangere Inlet and the Tamaki River. One of the few cities in the world with harbours on two separate major bodies of water, bridges span both: Waitemata to the north, which opens east to the Hauraki Gulf, and Manukau to the south, which opens west to the Tasman Sea. Auckland also straddles a volcanic field, which has produced about 50 volcanoes. As such, Rangitoto Island, was formed within the last 1000 years, and its size and position at the entrance to Waitemata Harbour make it Auckland's most iconic natural feature. One-third of New Zealand's tiny population of 4 million people live here in Auckland with the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world. As for quality of life, it doesn't get much better, Auckland consistently ranked in the top five cities in the world in which to live. 
Known as the "City of Sails" for the large number of yachts that grace the Waitemata Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf, try a sailboat cruise on a boat from the Pride of Auckland fleet or perhaps a two-hour jaunt on an original America's Cup yacht or even an excursion on a power catamaran to watch whales and dolphins in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Another treat is to take a ferry from downtown to the volcanic island of Rangitoto. And while there, climb to the summit for fantastic views of the harbour and the city. Many indigenous Maori have emigrated from tribal villages to cities such as Auckland where they now represent about 11% of this city. New Zealand added native Maori as an official language in 1987. Auckland International Airport, New Zealand's largest, is in the southern suburb of Mangere on the shores of the Manukau Harbour. There are frequent flights to Australia and other New Zealand destinations. There are also direct connections to many locations in the South Pacific, the United States, Asia and Buenos Aires and Santiago in South America. Transport from the airport to central Auckland and suburbs includes buses, shuttles and taxis. One way fare for adults on the bus to central Auckland (Airbus) is $16. 
While in Auckland, try a few of the following:
Photo Credits New Zealand Tourism Mike Keenan writes for QMI Agency (Sun Media) Canada's largest newspaper publisher, printing 44 daily newspapers as well as a web portal, Canoe.ca. Besides regular columns for the St. Catharines Standard, Welland Tribune and Niagara Falls Review. Mike has been published in the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Buffalo Spree, Stitches, West of the City and Hamilton-Burlington's View Magazine. His work is found in QMI published dailies such as the Toronto Sun, Ottawa Sun, Vancouver Sun, London Free Press, Calgary Sun, Winnipeg Sun and Edmonton Sun.
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