Auckland Auckland lies between the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The Auckland metropolitan area is the largest and most populous in NZ with a population approaching 1.5 million residents. Increasingly cosmopolitan, Auckland also has the largest Pacific Islander population of any city in the world, and has seen many people of Asian ethnicity move here over recent decades. As with all major cities the residents of Auckland like to escape the big city pressures. Auckland is a rather flat city with the exception of some 50 or so extinct volcanoes. Most attractions are walking distance from the downtown precinct. St Mathews in the City The Bishop Selwyn acquired land from the Crown in 1843 at the corner of Hobson and Wellesley Street. On it, St Matthew's one-room school was built as a mission and over time the present church was developed. St Matthew-in-the-City is a diverse church and Aucklanders love St Mathews and all it stands for. The church is a formidable building and many go to this church to experience the diversity it offers. A quote from the web "...some choose to come regularly to our church, many followers see themselves as friends of St Matthew's. This may be because they love the building, appreciate its presence in the city or want to support the ministry of St Matthew's. " Shakespeare Hotel and Brewery Thomas Foley the owner was in the unique position of being an established publican when he built the Shakespeare Hotel in 1898. It is today one of Auckland’s few ‘old’ buildings in use for its original purpose. Thomas Foley spared no expense in creating what became an icon in central Auckland. And the original building work was delayed so more of the distinctive red bricks could be imported from Melbourne. His efforts certainly won recognition at the time. The New Zealand paper at the time stated in 1898: "The most carping critic would find it difficult matter to place his finger on fault of the omission or commission." The current hotel has a distinctive choice of beers of which the light pilsner is a delight. A must visit when in Auckland. Auckland War Memorial Auckland War Memorial Museum is both a museum and a site of commemoration for New Zealanders lost at war. The Museum houses two halls of memory, which the names of all those killed in major conflicts of the 20th Century are recorded and remembered. The Cenotaph and consecrated ground in front of the Museum are a touchstone of remembrance every Anzac Day. The Museum tells the story of ‘ordinary’ New Zealanders who faithfully served their country during the Great War. Their wartime experiences are told through a combination of letters sent to loved ones, photos from the Museum’s archive, rare film footage and original recordings of songs from the era. Allow a day to enjoy the Museum and the War Memorial.   Place Statistics: Coordinates: 36°51′S 174°47′E Population: 1.4 Million