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REAL New Zealand totally kicks butt!

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DazzaMc
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« on: January 30, 2009, 07:12:57 pm »

Revealed - NZ's best city to live in


All of the major centres in New Zealand are said to have a distinct flavour of their own, but a survey released today has revealed which one offers the best lifestyle of all.


And the city that came out on top is renowned for its university, medical school and historic buildings.

Dunedin has been ranked the top place to live in New Zealand.


And the news hasn't been good for the northern centres.

A survey by the ASB Bank ranked Dunedin - the country's eighth-largest city - as the best city community ahead of Rodney District, north of Auckland, and Wellington.

On the bottom of the ranking was Waitakere City although it was a close run with adjacent Auckland.

The survey looked at several aspects which made people feel comfortable and happy living in the area.

They included:

  • The sense of community in local neighbourhood;
  • Feeling of trust;
  • Availability of support;
  • Frequency of feeling lonely or isolated;
  • Contact with neighbours;
  • Culturally rich and diverse arts scene;
  • Sense of pride in the way their city looks and feels;
  • Rating of graffiti, vandalism and litter as a problem;


Stephen Hart, the author of the report, said Dunedin was a clear winner after finishing in the top four rankings in seven of the eight categories.

He said all towns and cities "have their own sense of community or a collective sense of belonging, pride, culture and co-operation that stems from the people.

"Some cities seem to have a friendly, trusting atmosphere about them that lifts their residents and makes them proud of where they live," he said.

"Others have a colder formality and distance that affects how locals mix and socialise together."

The survey did not cover every city in New Zealand but included 56 per cent of the population and used data from the current Quality of Life Survey which examined peoples' perceptions of their own wellbeing.

The rankings from one to 12 were:

  • Dunedin 650 points
  • Rodney District 555 points
  • Wellington 545 points
  • Porirua 455 points
  • Hutt City 440 points
  • Tauranga 390 points
  • Christchurch 375 points
  • Hamilton 310 points
  • North Shore 295 points
  • Manukau 195 points
  • Auckland 125 points
  • Waitakere 120 points

Most Dunedin people felt there was someone they could turn to for help or support and although the city was near the bottom of the South Island residents did not feel isolated, Mr Hart said.

Dunedin people were also "a trusting bunch". The arts made a strong contribution to community strength and identity with Dunedin's culturally rich and diverse arts scene.

A majority of Dunedin people surveyed (72 per cent) had a sense of pride about how their city looked.

They also experienced positive contact with neighbours and more than half felt a sense of community spirit but also felt graffiti was a problem.

Dunedin achieved 650 out of a possible 800 points.

- NZPA



Sorce: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10554372



I'm just not sure about this splitting Auckland up into North Shore, Manukau, Auckland and Waitakere. Never Once after leaving any of these places have I ever felt like I left somewhere and had just arrived somewhere else. It's all the fucken same AND it's all bloody connected and intertwined - what the hell defines or seperates any one area?!!

What a crock of bull.
Auckland is Auckland - it starts at the Bombays and ends at Warkworth up the east coast and Helensville on the west. Simple - and end of story.
And anything within 4 hours driving is badly contaminated with the 'Auckland' as well.....
 

(please note: Auckland has now breached the Bombays with a motorway reaching almost halfway to Hamilton. It wont be long before Hamilton get's consumed and becomes another Manukau.)



All the above shows in regard to Auckland is which is the best/worst part to live.



Auckland, by a country mile - is clearly the absolute ass-end of New Zealand.

 


And I agree!
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Lovelee
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« Reply #1 on: January 30, 2009, 07:41:49 pm »

Hey Daz - heres something to keep you awake ...........

whaddaya think Auckland will be like when they make it a mega-city?


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DazzaMc
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« Reply #2 on: January 30, 2009, 07:48:46 pm »

No different than it is now...  it will just take longer to get out of!

The title Mega-City is just that - just a title, the individual areas will still need self governance to function.

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« Reply #3 on: January 30, 2009, 08:00:02 pm »

will still need self governance to function.



YUP - and therein lies the serious problems they will face, sewerage, power, water all in dire need of replacement yesterday.
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« Reply #4 on: January 30, 2009, 09:02:50 pm »

What the hell is Rodney doing near the top of the list? Angry
When they have a problem the come south to solve it. e.g. The Albany park'n'ride filled to capacity and then some shortly after completion much to the NSCCs bewilderment. A quick survey discovered that most of the cars were from Rodney.

How the heck did Hamilton beat North Shore? Angry
North Shore is heaps better than Hamilton even if they have just turned the formally nice Esmond and Glenfeild Rds into motorway size eyesores. You can't even drive through Hamilton with any speed, it takes half an hour outside of rush hour. You can drive through North Shore in about 15 minutes outside of rush hour and North Shore is bigger.

I would like to dispute your point, Dazza, about North Shore, Waitakere, Auckland and Manukau being the same if that is the case Rodney, Papakura and Franklin should be included in that generalisation. They are not all the same and they do have clear bounderies. The Waitamata Harbour is a pretty clear boundery as is the Albany Hill. Even in different parts of the North Shore it is still easy to spot formally separate cities and boroughs. Birkenhead has very few roads connecting it to the rest of the 'Shore and has many more parks and bush covered reserves. Even a blind man can tell the difference between Devonport and Takapuna.

That survey is more than a bit inaccurate.
For starters Where is New Plymouth?
That city has won international recognition as a great place to be.

I am looking forward to the Jafa thread migrating
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« Reply #5 on: January 30, 2009, 09:31:22 pm »

I'm just looking forward to the Jafas migrating
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« Reply #6 on: January 31, 2009, 05:50:09 am »

LOL
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« Reply #7 on: January 31, 2009, 08:29:17 am »

Re Dazza's orig mess on this thread, I was sort of dragged to this area of Dunedin's enviroment 'cos my Dear Departed had been brought up in Dunners and wanted to retire there, while I was happy with the Southland province but willing to try something new.

We had explored possibilities of Takaka-Nelson-Marlborough after totally rejecting all, plus what we had seen of Auckland and the North Island during our seven years gypsy lifestyle....  

He wanted to see the sea, I liked rivers, and we found our part of heaven in the township where I am now, 30-odd kms from Dunedin, in touch with both the sea and the river.

We had been here a month or so when one day as I drove in to Town, at the top of Lookout Point I saw the town and experienced the feeling of  "This is MY town"

That was in 1986.

There have been massive changes in my neck of the woods, 2 relocations in the same area for myself, and an influx of Aucklanders and Hawaiian americans in the property boomers lifestyle blocks and subdivisions. That has come to a halt with many new subs sinking into their forest of FOR SALE signs. TGF
  
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Kiwithrottlejockey
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« Reply #8 on: January 31, 2009, 12:45:32 pm »

I've always been a East Coaster (as in living east of the main dividing ranges of the North Island) for most of my life.

I was born in Hastings and grew up there and apart from a couple of short periods away from Hawke's Bay, remained there until I was 24, when I moved further north up the East Coast to Gisborne. I stayed there for 20½ years, before moving down to the bottom-end of the East Coast in Wairarapa where I've been for just over 10 years.

I do however get around quite a bit and have visited every region of NZ except for Northland. I also haven't made it to New Plymouth, although I have visited Taranaki. I've even been to the Chatham Islands!
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« Reply #9 on: January 31, 2009, 02:08:34 pm »

Hah! I am almost the opposite.

Family from the Waikato, lived in New Plymouth and the west side of the North Shore.

As for travelling - very little of the South Island (fish and chips in Picton, 20 minutes in Chch airport and 4 days in Invercargill and that is it) but I have travelled the North Island extensively with the exception of Gisbourne/East Cape and Wairarapa (only been there on day trips).

I am a reluctant Jafa. Realistically my next chance of moving out isn't going to come until the kids are done with school.
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Kiwithrottlejockey
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« Reply #10 on: January 31, 2009, 03:17:50 pm »

Hah! I am almost the opposite.


The opposite of the East Coast of the North Island is actually the West Coast of the South Island....
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« Reply #11 on: February 01, 2009, 02:09:41 pm »

I've always been a East Coaster (as in living east of the main dividing ranges of the North Island) for most of my life.

I was born in Hastings and grew up there and apart from a couple of short periods away from Hawke's Bay, remained there until I was 24, when I moved further north up the East Coast to Gisborne. I stayed there for 20½ years, before moving down to the bottom-end of the East Coast in Wairarapa where I've been for just over 10 years.

I do however get around quite a bit and have visited every region of NZ except for Northland. I also haven't made it to New Plymouth, although I have visited Taranaki. I've even been to the Chatham Islands!

 Shocked WHAT ..... you have never been to Northland.  What a deprived life you must have had.

I am a born and breed Northland gal.  Did my nursing training there.  And have been a Jafa by choice for some years now.  In fact I have never lived south of Auckland in NZ and don't plan to anytime soon.  

I think that living overseas so much in the past has immersed me into the hustle and bustle of city life.

Auckland suits us just fine and now that the drive to Martins Bay is just over 60 minutes from Botany (thanks to the new tunnel) our weekends at the beach are very pleasant.

Probably end up further north when we retire.

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Kiwithrottlejockey
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« Reply #12 on: February 01, 2009, 02:43:50 pm »

So you've been to Northland and I've been to the Chatham Islands. I guess we must be even, aye?  Grin

Anyway....the biggest problem with visiting Northland is that to get there you have to go through Ork-Lund and that means putting up with JAFAs. You can't even fly to Northland without having to land in Ork-Lund. If you could get there without passing through JAFAville, I have no doubt it would be worth visiting, but the JAFAs in the way are a good enough reason to stay away!

Fair enough



Probably end up further north when we retire.

Is that where they have all those regular tropical storms, floods, roads washed out, houses inundated, rain, rain, rain and yet more rain?

           
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« Reply #13 on: February 01, 2009, 03:30:14 pm »

TJ - I wouldn't be too worried about getting through Auckland on your way north.

Time it right and you can do it just about quicker than getting through Hamilton. Motorways do have some uses.

Just think, after years of saying Auckland should be cut off at the Bombays you could experience the range at the other end - the Brenderwyns, unless you follow the rail line and go around both Wink
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« Reply #14 on: February 01, 2009, 03:32:19 pm »

As for the Chatham Islands, I may not have been there but I have talked to a Chatham Islander (known her since I was knee high) and seen photos.

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Kiwithrottlejockey
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« Reply #15 on: February 01, 2009, 03:45:13 pm »

I actually don't remember a hell of a lot about my visit to the Chathams.

I went over there on the spur of the moment with one of those mad Sparks brothers from Mahia. He was driving earth-moving machines cleaning up the huge mess on the Napier-Gisborne railway line following Cyclone Bola in 1988 and was staying in the Waikare Pub at Putorino where we were also staying (running work trains). Early the following year, he was skippering a fishing boat on a delivery trip from Gisborne to the Chathams and asked me if I wanted to go along for a ride. I had a few days off, so took a few more off and went along. There was one crewman on the boat as well. About a day out from Gisborne I suddenly realised that the skipper didn't have any charts, which put the wind up me a bit. However, the crewman assured me that the skipper knew his way to the Chathams like the back of his hand (navigating using the sun, moon and stars) and not to worry. Eventually the Chathams appeared over the horizon and after arriving, we headed for the Waitangi Hotel for what turned into a three-day drinking session, before flying back to Napier with East Air (an airline that hasn't existed for many years now). It took me several days to recover from that trip....way too much alcohol was consumed. My memory of a lot of it is rather hazy because of that!

But I can say I have been to the Chatham Islands, though....Grin
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« Reply #16 on: February 04, 2009, 06:16:55 pm »

So you've been to Northland and I've been to the Chatham Islands. I guess we must be even, aye?  Grin

Anyway....the biggest problem with visiting Northland is that to get there you have to go through Ork-Lund and that means putting up with JAFAs. You can't even fly to Northland without having to land in Ork-Lund. If you could get there without passing through JAFAville, I have no doubt it would be worth visiting, but the JAFAs in the way are a good enough reason to stay away!

Fair enough



Probably end up further north when we retire.

Is that where they have all those regular tropical storms, floods, roads washed out, houses inundated, rain, rain, rain and yet more rain?


 Tongue lies, lies all darn lies KTJ.

You can fly to Northland.  Surely Auckland airport wont contaminate you (well not too much).

Funny thing is we went to the Chathams in November.  Pretty ordinary I thought.

At least you can get fresh fruit in Northland.  Smiley

I thought it was even more boring than Norfolk.
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« Reply #17 on: February 04, 2009, 07:11:36 pm »

quote from KTJ...
[color]color=red]
Anyway....the biggest problem with visiting Northland is that to get there you have to go through Ork-Lund and that means putting up with JAFAs. You can't even fly to Northland without having to land in Ork-Lund. If you could get there without passing through JAFAville, I have no doubt it would be worth visiting, but the JAFAs in the way are a good enough reason to stay away!


hey, hang on KTJ..... if you havent been to Northland then you have missed the best part of New Zealand.  We have the best beaches, (unbeatable in my books and most people who visit) the loveliest weather (when its fine Cheesy otherwise 4 seasons in one day) and the nicest people (most of them anyway)

LOL.... you can make it to Northland without stopping at Auckland.  you can fly direct from Wellington.  I know this cause my hubby does it quite often.

Please........do come up and bring your bestest camera,  you wont be disappointed

and by the way...........i am an ex-jaffa.... born and bred there, but i wouldnt go back there for quids.   Anywhere else in the country....fine..

Auckland   ....ahhhhhh  Roll Eyes NO
 Grin
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« Reply #18 on: February 04, 2009, 07:26:12 pm »

Oh Justic, you went to the Chathams    and found it boring???
Didn't you explore a bit

Lots of hidden history , myth and legend there.

I am disappointed in you   lol
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Kiwithrottlejockey
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« Reply #19 on: February 04, 2009, 07:49:00 pm »

The inside of the Waitangi Hotel was interesting enough!   Roll Eyes

Mind you, that pub is the reason why I can't remember bugger-all about my visit to the Chathams.

I can however very vivdly recall Sparksie tripping over the top step as he boarded East Air's Metroliner at the Chathams Airport when we headed back to Napier. He sprawled out with a thump in the entranceway and as he was staggering to his feet, the Captain poked his head out of the cockpit and made the comment, "Pissed again, I see!" with a big smirk across his face. Sparksie replied with words to the effect of "I've got to get pissed to fly with you, ya mad prick!" The way they both laughed, I got the impression Sparksie was a regular customer on East Air and that he was often pissed!!  Shocked

The worst thing was that when we arrived at Napier, I got dragged into the Westshore pub down the road from the airport for a few hours before boarding a freight train on the level crossing outside the door (sometimes it helps to know the right workmates who you can phone up and arrange favours like that) and sleeping all the way home to Gisborne on the locomotive cab floor.
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« Reply #20 on: February 04, 2009, 09:16:43 pm »

Never actually been there but I've been past and around Chatham's many times - we sat in Petre Bay for around 8 hours dropping things off once if that counts?
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« Reply #21 on: February 11, 2009, 07:35:21 pm »

Oh Justic, you went to the Chathams    and found it boring???
Didn't you explore a bit

Lots of hidden history , myth and legend there.

I am disappointed in you   lol

Yeah I know Brownie.  We did see a lot but I can't live without fresh fruit and veges.

Norfolk is more interesting for those of us with convict old bones.
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