Manukau

Auckland

Rainbow\'s End featuring a water park, rides and a pool
Rainbow\'s End featuring rides
Rainbow\'s End featuring rides
Rainbow\'s End featuring rides as well as a large group of people
Rainbow\'s End which includes rides as well as a couple

Find colourful markets, stunning gardens and New Zealand’s biggest theme park when you visit Auckland’s most multi-cultural district.

Come to Manukau to get a taste of Polynesian culture at the bustling markets and lively festivals. Smell the fragrance of thousands of flowers at Auckland’s botanical gardens and walk the paths around the expansive Manukau Harbour. Take a thrilling ride on the roller coasters and dodgem cars at Rainbow’s End theme park. Finish your day with a meal in one of the area’s superb restaurants serving cuisine from around the world.

Sometimes referred to as South Auckland, Manukau is actually a city in its own right. This city has the largest population of Polynesians anywhere in the world and is also New Zealand’s most ethnically diverse city. Discover the colourful Polynesian culture when you visit Otara Market. Buy some native Polynesian vegetables or try local specialties cooked with a hāngi, or earth oven. Browse stalls selling arts and crafts or stop to listen to a local band playing live music.

Children won’t want to miss Rainbow’s End, New Zealand’s largest theme park. Come here for a fun-packed day riding the roller coasters, Go Karts and more. The park also features the high-tech 3D Motion Master, an interactive cinema experience.

Make sure you visit the Botanical Gardens, where over 10,000 species of native and introduced plants are beautifully arranged. Explore the area’s surroundings and walk along the paths that wind around the large harbour. Enjoy stunning views across the water and see the Awhitu Peninsula in the distance.

Being the most ethnically diverse area of Auckland, Manukau has some superb food on offer. Take your pick from a number of Asian or Polynesian restaurants and enjoy a meal, often for great value.

Manukau is located 15 miles (23 kilometres) south of central Auckland. There is a local bus service but it is most convenient to explore the area by car. Accommodation here can be cheaper than in the city centre and the area is a good base for exploring the region south of the city.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Manukau

The Sebel Auckland Manukau
The Sebel Auckland Manukau
4.5 out of 5
16 Lakewood Court, Manukau, Auckland
The price is S$129 per night from 25 Jul to 26 Jul
S$129
25 Jul - 26 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (466 reviews)
"Nice hotel, good area that was close to a lot of things. Bit of a shame you had to pay for parking though. Room was nice and clean, there was a bit of mould in the shower and I thought there could have been a couple more utensils, 2 plates and cups and cutlery between 3 people was a pain. Overall ..."

Reviewed on 23 Jun, 2025

The Sebel Auckland Manukau
Cordis, Auckland by Langham Hospitality Group
Cordis, Auckland by Langham Hospitality Group
5 out of 5
83 Symonds Street, Box 2771, Auckland
The price is S$155 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
S$155
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star spa hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,325 reviews)
"The hotel was gorgeous, the room was comfy and had a nice view, and the staff were lovely!"

Reviewed on 24 Jun, 2025

Cordis, Auckland by Langham Hospitality Group
Novotel Auckland Airport
Novotel Auckland Airport
4.5 out of 5
35 Tom Pearce Dr, Auckland International Airport, Auckland
The price is S$225 per night from 1 Aug to 2 Aug
S$225
1 Aug - 2 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Auckland. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), 24-hour room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,827 reviews)
"It’s an airport hotel. Priced too high but convenient in the extreme."

Reviewed on 25 Jun, 2025

Novotel Auckland Airport
Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre by IHG
Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre by IHG
4 out of 5
Corner Wyndham & Albert Streets, Auckland
Fully refundable
The price is S$144 per night from 31 Jul to 1 Aug
S$144
31 Jul - 1 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (847 reviews)
"The room was clean and comfortable. My only complaint is that at breakfast, the only meat options they have are pork and that usually makes me ill. Other hotels usually have options like turkey, chicken, beef, or plant based meat at breakfast."

Reviewed on 27 Jun, 2025

Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre by IHG
Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland
Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland
3 out of 5
80 Wellesley Street West, Auckland, Auckland
The price is S$106 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
S$106
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Popular attractions Sky Tower and SkyCity Casino are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (497 reviews)
"Very Central location - walkable to ferry and restaurants"

Reviewed on 30 Jun, 2025

Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland
JetPark Hotel Auckland Airport
JetPark Hotel Auckland Airport
4.5 out of 5
63 Westney Road, Auckland
The price is S$169 per night from 3 Jul to 4 Jul
S$169
3 Jul - 4 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the restaurant and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,276 reviews)
"Great food and loved the room. This is our go to hotel when travelling"

Reviewed on 26 Jun, 2025

JetPark Hotel Auckland Airport
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Manukau

Default Image

Papatoetoe

You'll enjoy the gardens and live music in Papatoetoe. You might want to make time for a stop at Papatoetoe Old Railway Station Building or Hunters Plaza.

Papatoetoe
Default Image

Manurewa

You'll enjoy the parks and theme parks in Manurewa. You might want to make time for a stop at Auckland Botanical Gardens or Southmall Manurewa.

Manurewa
Default Image

Mangere

Mangere is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Villa Maria Auckland Winery or JKs Driving Range.

Mangere
Butterfly Creek which includes marine life

Auckland Airport

If you're spending some time in Auckland Airport, Butterfly Creek and Treasure Island Adventure Golf are top sights worth seeing.

Auckland Airport
Default Image

Mount Wellington

Shopping, restaurants and lake views are just a few things travellers enjoy about Mount Wellington. Check out Sylvia Park Shopping Center or Flat Rock Reserve while you're exploring the area.

Mount Wellington
Default Image

Ellerslie

Restaurants, shopping and spas highlight some of the notable features of Ellerslie. Make a stop by Ellerslie Racecourse while you're exploring.

Ellerslie

Manukau