Auckland () is one of the 16 regions of New Zealand, which takes its name from the eponymous urban area. The region encompasses the Auckland metropolitan area, smaller towns, rural areas, and the islands of the Hauraki Gulf. Containing percent of the nation's residents, it has by far the largest population and economy of any region of New Zealand, but the second-smallest land area.

On 1 November 2010, the Auckland region became a unitary authority administered by the Auckland Council, replacing the previous regional council and seven local councils. In the process, an area in its southeastern corner was transferred to the neighbouring Waikato region. Since then, the Auckland Council has introduced a system of local boards to divide the region for local government.

Geography

thumb|left|250px|True-colour image of the region showing the [[Auckland urban area as the brownish area just left of centre, with the Hauraki Gulf to the right]]

On the mainland, the region extends from the mouth of the Kaipara Harbour in the north across the southern stretches of the Northland Peninsula, through the Waitākere Ranges and the Auckland isthmus and across the low-lying land surrounding the Manukau Harbour, ending within a few kilometres of the mouth of the Waikato River. It also includes the islands of the Hauraki Gulf. It is bordered in the north by the Northland region, and in the south by the Waikato region. The Hunua Ranges and the adjacent coastline along the Firth of Thames were part of the region until the Auckland Council was formed in late 2010, when they were transferred to the Waikato region. In land area the region is smaller than all the other regions and unitary authorities except Nelson.

The region's coastline is long. It has about of rivers and streams, about 8 percent of these in urban areas.

Past administrative divisions

Prior to the merger into the Auckland Council on 1 November 2010, the Auckland region consisted of seven territorial local authorities (TLAs); four cities and three districts:

thumb|Riverhead speedwell ([[Veronica jovellanoides), a very rare plant endemic to the region]]

  • Auckland City
  • Manukau City
  • North Shore City
  • Waitakere City
  • Franklin District
  • Papakura District
  • Rodney District

Biodiversity

The Auckland region is home to at least 23 known species or subspecies exclusively found in the region. This includes plant species such as the Waitākere rock koromiko, the undescribed Mokohinau gecko, insect species such as the Little Barrier giant wētā, and bird species known to roost exclusively in the Auckland region, such as the New Zealand storm petrel. Many endemic species are found exclusively within the Waitākere Ranges, on Great Barrier Island, Little Barrier Island and the Mokohinau Islands.

Demographics

thumb|Population density map for Auckland in the 2023 census

The Auckland region covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km<sup>2</sup>.