Dynamic Auckland tops city survey

From City Scene, published on 2 December, 2007

Quality city: The 2007 Quality of Life report highlights some of the reasons to love living in Auckland - strong economic and population growth and a good work/life balance.

Auckland city experienced strong economic and population growth between 2001 and 2006, and offers a high quality of life.

These findings are part of the 2007 Quality of Life report by the Metropolitan Sector Group, a multi-council initiative assessing the quality of life in 12 New Zealand cities.

The Mayor, Hon John Banks, says the report highlights the many positive features of life in Auckland city.

"Auckland offers its residents a wealth of opportunities and residents clearly recognise this," he says, "with 91 per cent of them rating their quality of life as good or very good. That's a ringing endorsement for the city."

Auckland continues to experience strong population growth, with nearly two-thirds of residents surveyed feeling positive about the impact of our region's increasing cultural diversity. Strong economic growth has seen Auckland city attract the highest number of new jobs and businesses of any of the 12 cities surveyed, and just over 77 per cent of residents here are happy with their work/life balance.

The report also points out some challenges for our city including low rates of home ownership and increasing pressure on infrastructure. Environmental issues, in particular air quality and significant increases in the demand for energy, also concern some people. The report aims to give councils and local government information to help them improve the quality of life for their residents.