The city of Waitakere is located in the middle of the Northern Island of New Zealand. It belongs to Auckland, the largest city district in New Zealand. In 1989, the city was made by merging Waitemata, Glen Eden, Henderson & Nwelin.

Waitakere is fifteen kms away from the center of Auckland. To its east is the Port of Waitemata and the City of Auckland. To its south is the Port of Manukau. It joins the Rodney District in the north and faces the Tasman Sea in the west. 

There are four districts in Waitakere: Masi, Waitakere,Newlin and Hendrson.

History
Waitakere was first occupied by the Maolis 1000 years ago. European immigrants arrived after 1830, bringing with them industries like lumbering, sawmilling, brickmaking, rubber, linen, mining, etc. In the early 1900s horticulture, animal husbandry and vinery began to prosper and replaced the earlier industries. 

Population
Waitakere is the fifth largest city in New Zealand with a population of 160,000. The average age of the population is 29. Its 15% population growth rate is the highest in New Zealand. It is expected that by the year 2006 its population will reach 210,000. The growth of new families is also relatively stable.

The main cause of the fast growth of the population is the higher birth rate over death rate as well as the growth of new immigrants. The population is multiplied. 76% are Europeans. 11% are Maolis. 10 % are Pacific Islanders. The rest 3% are ethnic groups.

Waitakere has 52,000 full labors. 64% of the males and 37% of the females have full time jobs. The average income is 14,000 NZD per capita and 40,000 NZD per family.

Business and Economy
Waitakere has a diversified economy. Its main indutries include brewery, shipbuilding, paper making. Its brewery is very important. Many wines have won awards and are exported to Australia, North America and Europe.

Waitakere has 7,500 businesses, more than half of which are wholesalers, retailers, restaurants and constructers. Compared with other cities in the Auckland District, construction takes a higher proportion in its economy. Next to construction are commerce and finance. The West Gate Supermarket recently under construction is the biggest shopping center in New Zealand.

Public Culture
Waitakere has a lot of recreational places. The West Auckland Swimming Center, located in Henderson£¬offers all kinds of water sports and other recreational activities. The Waitemata Sports Center has a multi-purpose gymnasium, an international standard outdoors track field, an indoor training center and a body-building room. Titilangi Golf Club, the most famous golf club in New Zealand, is also located in Waitakere.

The municipal committee of Waitakere has established an art community and a cultural center in the city. The local art studio is the center for West Auckland to develop handicrafts.
The medical conditions of Waitakere are yet to be developed. So far it has only one public hospital. In recent years there has appeared some clinics. But their services are still not comparable with other New Zealand cities of similar size.
Scenic Spots and Tourism

Waitakere has many scenic spots, the most famous of which is the Waitakere Jungle. There tourists can enjoy the bush park and the beautiful West Seashore sands. Walking, on-foot travelling, hill climbing and river crossing by rope are the usual ways of recreation. The West Seashore is the ideal resort for surfing.
The brewery in West Auckland is also a touring spot for tourists and local residents not only because of the high quality award winning wines but also for the appeals of its viery and brewery process.

Waitakere is located in the center of Auckland District. Its harbors, international airport and geographical location provide it with a good opportunity to develop tourism.

Natural Environment and Resources
Waitakere covers an area of 39,134 acres (about 391 square kms), 10,003 of which are scenic resorts.
The city has very low air pollution and is the first ecological city of New Zealand. It has very rich water resources, about 30% of the country's total.

Friendly Exchanges with Ningbo
In March 1995 with the help of the China Consulate General in Auckland Ningbo and Waitakere established friendly relationship. Since then with the efforts from both sides the two cities has carried out exchanges and cooperation in mutual visiting, executive administration, environmental protection, deep-sea fishing and some other fields. In September 1997 the two cities established sister-city relationship. In December 1998 Ningbo sent a delegation to Waitakere to formerly sign the agreement for the sister-city relationship.

Exchanges between Ningbo and Waitakere
In March 1995 the two cities established friendly relationship. In December 1998 a sister-city relationship was established. Through visits by high-ranking officials and entrepreneurs, the two cities have promoted their mutual understanding and friendship. They have carried out cooperation in trade, education, environment protection, deep-sea fishing and personnel exchanges.
   
Ningbo has sent government delegation, friendship delegation, environmental protection delegation, sister-city work group to Waitakere for many times. They were warmly welcomed by people from all walks of life in Waitakere.
   
Bob Harvey, Mayor of Waitakere, twice headed a delegation to visit Ningbo in June 1994 and May 1996. During the visits, the two cities signed memos for further cooperation. Ningbo Polytechnic School signed with UNITEC an agreement to establish intercollegiate relationship.
In November 1996, accompanied by Dr. McCarthy (New Zealand Consul General in Shanghai), Ms Wilson (Vice Mayor of Waitakere) headed a delegation of four members to visit Ningbo. The two cities held discussions on issues including mutual visiting, cultural exchanges and deep-sea fishing.
   
In December Ningbo sent a friendship delegation headed by Vice Chairman of People's Congress to Waitakere to attend the ceremony for the signing of sister-city agreement. The delegation took with them a pair of stone lions as a gift to the Waitakere city government.
   
In May 1999, a Waitakere delegation headed by Congressman Assid Corban paid a return visit to Ningbo and presented Ningbo with a Maoli sculpture to celebrate the establishment of sister-city relationship.
   
Between September and December of 1998 an international exchanger sent by Ningbo stayed in Waitakere for three months to study the social and economic development and government working process. Between April and May of 1999 two international exchangers from Waitakere stayed in Ningbo for one and half a month.

more:http://www.waitakere.govt.nz/