With 1.65 million people living in Auckland, it's certainly not the biggest city in the world by international standards, but it's definitely New Zealand's big smoke. Meeting people can be daunting anywhere in the world, but New Zealanders do tend to be active people, so finding community groups or sports clubs that appeal to you can be an excellent place to start.
When you're ready to meet new people, the first thing you will want to do is think about what it is that you enjoy. Auckland is a hugely diverse city with people of every culture and subculture imaginable. Outside of family and maybe work, people tend to develop social ties with others based on interest. Below, we've broken down some of the easiest ways to go about finding your new friends in Auckland.
Popular networking websites and apps in Auckland
The old classic. Auckland has no shortage of groups that are dedicated to specific interests. Perhaps you are a dog owner or an enthusiastic salsa dancer, a mushroom hunter, or a fisherman – whatever it is, it's likely there's already a Facebook group catering to your hobby. Joining one of these groups and finding out about meet-ups (or even just bravely introducing yourself) is a great place to start.
Meetup
Although this is an international website, the section dedicated to Auckland sees a fair amount of use. Search by interest or browse the calendar to see which groups are gathering and how well-attended they are.
Eventfinda
A website for events of all kinds, Eventfinda is a great resource if you are looking for something to do. Filter by cost, time and location for what suits you. Eventfinda will list music events, workshops, markets, and more, some of which will be more social than others.
Other apps
Dating apps are a great way to meet non-platonic friends, but many of them also have a friends search option as well. If you're clear in your profile that you are just seeking friendships, then you should be able to avoid any confusion and be able to connect with like-minded people using Bumble BFF or even Tinder.
Other ways of socializing in Auckland
Places of worship
With residents from across the globe, Auckland is home to places of worship for people of any faith. Check Google to find a church, mosque, synagogue, temple, or wherever else people gather to share their faith.
Hobby shops
If you are into the world of collectible card games, board games, or tabletop role-playing games, your nearest hobby shop will almost certainly have people gathering to challenge each other or share in a fantasy-driven adventure
Sports club
Auckland is no exception to New Zealand's love for sports. Find a local club and get involved in whatever game you prefer. See our Sports in Auckland article for more.
Volunteering
There are charities all across Auckland looking for volunteers. If you are passionate about helping animals or people, your time and attention would be valued greatly. Volunteering New Zealand is a great place to start. The Department of Conservation also has a number of volunteering options, and you can always enquire at local churches and charity shops.
Amateur theatre
If you have ever wanted to have a go on the stage, find your closest amateur dramatics company and see if they've got any auditions coming up. There are theatres all across Auckland looking for people of any age, experience and background to give it a go.
Garden clubs
If you've got a green thumb or just want to learn more about gardening, joining a gardening club can be a great place to start. These clubs tend to skew a little older and cater to retirees or those over 50, but they can be very social places. Auckland has a number of garden clubs and an active chapter of the Herb Federation. Moving to a new climate with different species and pests can be confusing for expats, and a garden club can be a great place to find guidance.
Libraries
Auckland's libraries are absolutely incredible. Gone are the days of stuffy people shushing you. Today, the libraries offer amazing free events and services that bring communities together for fun and new experiences.
RSA
The Returned Soldiers Association has locations all across Auckland for veterans and their families to meet and chat. Find one near you and pop in for a meal, a drink and some great conversation.
New Zealand Tramping and Alpine Clubs
New Zealand has a strong hiking and mountaineering heritage, and there are active and mountaineering clubs all over New Zealand. For beginners and old hands, there are club outings, meetups, and adventures that range from rambles to full-on alpine expeditions. Auckland has a range of tramping clubs depending on what area you are in, but the most active is the Auckland Tramping Club. The New Zealand Alpine Club is a country-wide organization with local chapters.
These are just a smattering of ideas. Auckland is full of friendly like-minded people just looking for new people to get to know.
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
