Super ranking for Auckland

BY ADRIAN CHANG
Last updated 08:15 28/04/2009
Fairfax Media
SUPER CITY: Auckland ranked fourth equal out of 215 cities across the world in Mercer's list of the best cities in the world to live in.

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Super city or not, Auckland is one of the best cities in the world to live in, according to Mercer's 2009 Worldwide Quality of Living Survey.

In the international consultancy and investment service provider's survey of 215 cities, Auckland was ranked fourth-equal with Vancouver, rising from fifth last year.

Wellington was also highly rated, coming in at number 12, the same as last year.  No other New Zealand cities were judged.

Mercer determines rankings by comparing each city against New York City which is used as a benchmark.  New York is given an index score of 100 and ranked at number 49.  Cities are rated on 39 criteria, including political, social, economic and environmental factors, plus health, education, transport and other public services. The data was collected between September and November last year.

Mercer spokesman Rob Knox said that despite the financial crisis New Zealand remained a very attractive market for expats, and supported a strong case for multi-national firms to continue sending staff in need of career development opportunities here.

"Both New Zealand and Australia boast some of the most liveable cities in the world - which means we remain very attractive for 'expat' workers and this is good news for our economy," said Knox.

The big Australian cities also fared well but came in behind Auckland. Sydney was ranked 10, Melbourne 18, Perth 21, Adelaide 30 and Brisbane 34.

The Austrian capital Vienna tipped Switzerland's Zurich out of top place while Geneva, also in Switzerland, took third place.

A German trio of Dusseldorf, Munich and Frankfurt and Switzerland's Bern rounded out the top 10.

Baghdad came last out of all 215 cities due to a lack of security and stability, with Bangui in the Central African Republic 214 and Chad's Ndjamena 213.

London ranked 38, Singapore 26, Tokyo 35 and Paris 33.

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- © Fairfax NZ News

49 comments
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lachlan   #49   10:29 pm May 27 2009

leo: i live in south auckland. it isnt all bad like the media portrays. Many amazing NZlanders come from south auckland but you dont hear about them. the media in nz is turning manukau city into this "ghetto" when it just isnt that bad.

nick   #48   05:19 pm May 07 2009

Heh great journalism from stuff… how about a link to the survey?

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Craig   #47   04:28 am Apr 30 2009

Vienna may have a U Bahn (metro), S Bahn (commuter rail), trams, integrated buses, world class museums and galleries, minimal crime and top draw restaurants/bars but it does not have everything. Decent pies were clearly absent on a recent visit....

Seriously though how did Auckland manage a placing of fourth equal? Clearly not down to public transport - this is supported by other surveys where the city was not even present.....

http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/copenhagen-probably-the-best-city-in-the-world-842782.html

Have the report writers actually seen Auckland's transport "system"?

Leah   #46   10:01 pm Apr 28 2009

While Auckland does have it's frustrating moments, it's a reasonably good place to live. I've met a lot of arses, but also an equal amount of great people. Auckland is really what you make it... and I'm not exactly a jafa.

What annoys me is Wellingtonians who move here and think they should be treated like royalty as their city is apparently better. Yes, it might be, so what are you doing here? Go away.

Tinakori   #45   09:54 pm Apr 28 2009

Was it an Auckland Super City mayoral candidate who just announced his intention to outbid Wellington for the 2011 World Poker Championship in time for the Rugby World Cup. Cant believe that after the dollars lost on promoting the LA Galaxy/Beckham football match plus the recent 'My Fair Lady' debacle that Auckland intends to put up $30 million to bring the World Poker Championship to Sky City, a company which is not publicly owned. The debt though will be passed onto the ratepayers fair and square. Still it could well bring Auckland up a notch in the most desirable city stakes.

Notawel   #44   09:25 pm Apr 28 2009

to #26 why are you still in Auckland anyway? I prefer Auckland than Wellington. I feel way safer in Auckland than Wellington. Auks is definitely No 4, can't wait to go back.

Redge   #43   04:15 pm Apr 28 2009

If the lady hates NZ then she should f.....f home! I am not a kiwi and very pleased to be here. It is not very nice for people living here coming from other countries to criticise NZ. I came to NZ at the end of 2000 and although there are a few things that worry and/or irritates me that is my problem. There is no such thing as a perfect place on earth although the poms, Americans and Aussies might believe that!

NZ rocks, just do a OE to feel good   #42   04:11 pm Apr 28 2009

As a friendly Jafa it can only get better when the super city roles around next year, only so we can concentrate on regional issues like transport, infrustructure, waterfront, arts, concerts, business ect, and thats when we can be comparable to Vancouver or hopefully better. As kiwis we just take our nature for granted sometimes no matter which city we are in. Many around the world would drop their scenery and nature for ours even in Auckland (beleive it or not). No wonder the Tuatara decided to stick around after more than 200 million years (obviously theres other reasons as well but whos counting). And most people only complain about our country because theres nothing to do compared to other large countries and cities. Well I beleive thats true when it dosnt have anything to do with nature or concerts, but thats when Auckland should step up further for once instead of the bickering between 8 current leaders, to give NZ more variety at NZ's doorstep. It wont be New York, Paris or London, but Aucklands more greener than all them put together, or pulled apart. And thats what many around the world is seeking. Its only the isolation thats the barrier for these people to get to (money) but thats a bonus for us to keep preserving ourselves. So who cares what others say about our little country, their childrens children will be stuck more and more in concrete while ours will be stuck in nature. At least we can travel to their concrete slabs and return to our bush clad. You do the math. For the world to grow, give me the bush anytime!!! just ask those Tuatara

Reg   #41   03:39 pm Apr 28 2009

#33 Mr Cross - I would guess from the US actually. I once asked a californian lady who I was helping at the store I used to work at how she found new zealand. I was quite upset when I heard "I actually hate New Zealand. It's a horrible place". How could she say that? And when I asked her to elaborate on why is was so horrible, she rudely declined. To this day I still wonder what her reasons were!

Wig   #40   03:15 pm Apr 28 2009

Aucklands great, it's the locals who haven't left the place that ruin it. Some I see have commented below me.


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