By the 1890s, it had a cosmopolitan flavour, with dozens of languages heard in the bustling streets and new inhabitants from Europe, China and India. This theme continued throughout the 20th century, particularly in the 1950s when the population was boosted by the post World War Two 'baby boom'.

Many European immigrants were attracted from countries such as Hungary, Holland and Yugoslavia; bringing Auckland more cosmopolitan tastes and its first proper restaurants. Many rural people relocated to seek work in the 'bright lights' of the city, and large numbers of rural Maori migrated to Auckland. They were followed by migrant workers from the Pacific Islands, peaking in the 1960s.

Today, Auckland is the world's largest Polynesian city. Around 63% of its residents are of European descent, 11% are Maori, 13% are of Pacific Island descent and there is a growing Asian population of around 12%. In the city centre, Auckland's growing popularity as an international education destination has seen an explosion of ethnic restaurants and shops.