It is New Zealand's oldest surviving arts organisation, and Auckland's only symphonic-scale choir, founded in 1855 and established as an incorporated society in 1914.

The choir's current music director is Professor Uwe Grodd.

In 2018, Auckland Choral will mark the milestone of 100 consecutive annual Christmas performances of Messiah.

Auckland Choral's initial run of consecutive annual performances was interrupted only in 1918, when the outbreak of the 1918 flu pandemic in New Zealand led to a prohibition on public gatherings.

In 2007, the Auckland Choral Foundation was established as a charitable trust to ensure the long-term success of Auckland Choral, by providing capital growth and income to support its operation and activities.