Lifestyle

A mild climate, glorious scenery, room to breathe and the marine playground of the Hauraki Gulf on its doorstep – it’s easy to see why Auckland makes a claim on being the best place in the world to live.

Beyond Auckland's more obvious attractions, there are loads of hidden gems to discover. From boutique eateries and vineyards to world-class art and sport - Auckland has it covered. And with its constant growth and dynamism, it's also a great place to work. But best of all is something shared with all New Zealanders, and which never fails to make an impression: friendly people.

Don’t take our word for it

Check the independent reports. In the 2011 Mercer Quality of Life Survey, Auckland was again ranked the third best place in the world to live, ranking highest in the Asia Pacific. Auckland also made the top 10 in the Economist’s World’s Most Liveable Cities survey, 2011. New Zealand was ranked fourth in International Living’s 2011 survey of countries offering the best quality of life, including cost of living, culture and leisure, environment, climate, health and safety.

New Zealand’s immigration department sums up the attractions perfectly. “In many ways it’s not what we have that’s important to our quality of life—it’s what we don’t have. We don’t have high crime rates, our police don’t carry guns and instances of corruption are virtually unheard of. We don’t have abject poverty or hunger and we don’t have the pollution, congestion, health issues and cramped city living that we see elsewhere.”

At 37º South, Auckland sits at the same latitude as Portugal’s Algarve or San Jose, California in the northern hemisphere. Having seasons opposite to the Northern Hemisphere, Auckland’s summer runs from December to March. Typical summer temperatures range from 22-26°C, but seldom exceed 30°C. Winter daytime temperatures range from 12-17°C, making outdoor fun a year-round possibility. Annual sunshine hours average at 2000 in many areas, and as New Zealand observes daylight saving, the summer months can see daylight until 9.30pm. To check Auckland's current weather, click here.

Source: Worldweather.org

Bright lights, big city

Auckland is New Zealand's largest region, home to more than 1.5 million people from many different cultures. It’s a modern and vibrant city with a rich cultural life, and is closely connected to the world. So while the beautiful beaches and Gulf Islands make swimming and sailing popular pastimes, there’s plenty of other things going on. 

Home to a range of large and stylish venues, Auckland is a regular stop on any world tour - from major rock bands to Shakespeare plays and art exhibitions. Auckland teams are also big players on the international sports scene, and the many large stadiums make spectating a lively sport in itself.

Auckland is a food-lovers paradise, bustling with trendy cafes, ethnic eateries and award-winning restaurants. Being located next to the ocean, fresh seafood is Auckland's speciality, and the region even boasts a range of vineyards and olive groves.

The well-served port offers cruises around New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific Islands and even Antarctica. The proximity of the port to the CBD and entertainment district makes Auckland a popular cruise-stop, with even the famous Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2 having anchored here.
For more information on Auckland's attractions, click here.

Top class education

New Zealand’s education system is modern and world-class. It combines proven, traditional principles of education with innovation, creativity and fresh thinking. Auckland has some of the country’s best schools; well equipped and with a friendly, welcoming environment that is typically Kiwi. The curriculum is a comprehensive mix of academic, sporting and skills-based learning. Each year 58% of New Zealand’s international students choose Auckland. That's around 50,000 international students in Auckland at any time.

Good health

New Zealand’s healthcare system is one of the best in the OECD. Under the public system, essential healthcare is free for residents. While visits to doctors and dentists have to be paid for, more costly services such as hospital treatment are available at no cost to users. World-class, cost-effective private healthcare is also available.