  Aims: We characterise the properties of stars, dust, and gas and their
spatial distribution in the central region of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC1068.
Method: Our study is based on near-infrared (YJH, 0.95-1.650 um, R=350)
long-slit spectroscopy observations of the central region of NGC 1068 with a
0.4" spatial resolution. We decomposed the observed continuum emission into
three components: hot dust, stars, and scattered light from the central engine.
We measured their contributions at various distances from the nucleus. We also
measured fluxes and Doppler shifts for the emission lines in our spectrum to
probe the physical conditions of the narrow line region. Results: Dust and
stars are the main sources of continuum emission, but scattered light from the
central engine has also been detected in the very central region. Together,
these three components reproduce the observed continuum well. The dust emission
is compatible with a 830~K blackbody. It has only been detected in the very
central region and is not spatially resolved. The stellar content is
ubiquitous. It harbours a 250 pc cusp centred around the nucleus, over-imposed
on a young stellar background. The spectrum of the cusp is consistent with a
120 Myr old single stellar population. Finally, the emission lines exhibit a
significant Doppler shift that is consistent with a radial outflow from the
nucleus in a biconical structure. The $\left[Fe\ II\right]$ behaviour strongly
differs from other lines, indicating that it arises from a different structure.
