Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, is governed by the Auckland Council, the local authority responsible for managing the city alongside its surrounding rural areas, parks, and islands in the Hauraki Gulf. This governance structure emerged from a need for a more cohesive approach to regional management.

Prior to 2010, Auckland was governed by a patchwork of city and district councils, overseen by the Auckland Regional Council. This fragmented system led to frustrations among local residents and government officials alike, as it was seen as a barrier to effective governance and development. In response to these challenges, the New Zealand central government initiated a Royal Commission on Auckland Governance in 2007. The commission's 2009 recommendations called for a unified local governance framework, leading to the establishment of a "super city" with a single mayor for Auckland.

In October 2010, Len Brown, the mayor of Manukau City, was elected as the first mayor of the newly amalgamated Auckland Council. Brown was re-elected for a second term in 2013, but did not seek re-election in 2016. He was succeeded by Phil Goff, who currently serves as the mayor. The governing body of the Auckland Council includes twenty councillors, elected from thirteen electoral wards, ensuring representation across the diverse regions of the city.

On the national level, Auckland has a significant political presence, with its large population divided into 23 general electorates and three Māori electorates. Each electorate elects one member to the New Zealand House of Representatives. As of the latest election, the National Party holds 14 general electorates, the Labour Party has six, the ACT Party claims two, and the Green Party holds one. The three Māori electorates are represented by Te Pāti Māori, emphasizing the importance of Māori representation in the political landscape.

Historically, Auckland served as New Zealand’s capital from 1842 to 1865, hosting Parliament in what is now known as Old Government House on the University of Auckland's City campus. The capital was moved to Wellington in 1865, but Auckland remains a key city in the country’s governance and administration, housing the administrative offices for the Government of the Pitcairn Islands.

As Auckland continues to grow, the ongoing evolution of its governance structures reflects both the complexities of urban management and the need for effective representation in the face of demographic and economic changes.