NZ cities...recommendations?

[MrsRose]

It's kinda hard to go off pictures and promotional websites cause I'm sure they mostly just show all the prettiest spots and at the best angle, so I'm putting it out there as a question to you all.

1. What are the most beautiful cities in new zealand?

2. What are the best cities for families with small children? (and where are the best suburbs/neighborhoods in those cities?)

3. In which areas/cities can immigrants generally expect to find a warm welcome from locals? (I know friendly and/or unfriendly people can be encountered anywhere, I'm just looking for a general idea.)

4. Which cities provide more opportunities for employment in the construction industry?

5. Which cities are seeing significant growth?

(answers to any or all of the above questions would be much appreciated.)
thanks all.

[inhamilton]

Originally Posted by MrsRose

4. Which cities provide more opportunities for employment in the construction industry?

5. Which cities are seeing significant growth?

(answers to any or all of the above questions would be much appreciated.)
thanks all.

4. Christchurch (for obvious reasons)

5. In order : Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton.

[carosapien]

I'm just going to answer the first one.

1. It depends what you mean by beautiful. Do you mean natural or built environment?

Auckland has some nice views out over the Gulf but they come at a price because anything near water has a premium on it.

The built environment is not so hot, mostly due to poor urban planning policies and no clear direction from councils. Most towns and cities are an eclectic hotch potch of different styles of architecture and building materials. Many residential areas have been spoiled by sub-divisions and over development IMO. The traditional quarter acre sections are split up into smaller units and it's not uncommon to find two or three properties all sharing the same section. This is why you see addresses like 1/23 Main Road, 2/23 Main Road etc.

Space can be at a premium too, if you look at a satellite view of most the residential areas around Auckland you'll see lot of houses and trees but there is not a very good ratio of open space to infrastructure. You will need to get out of the conurbation to find that, which is doable provided you're willing to make the long journey in to the city every day on the busy motorways or by bus. This can cut into the quality of life experience unless you can work from home or travel outside the rush hours.

[topcat83]

Based on our travels:

1. What are the most beautiful cities in new zealand?

It depends on whether that includes location, or just architecture. For location - take your pick. For architecture - Dunedin, Oamaru, and once it is rebuilt I think Christchurch will be back to it's architectural splendour. Interesting I've just listed three South Island cities there, so I'm going to add Napier, for 1930's Art Deco architecture. Not my favourite city though as I don't like the beach or the railway line that cuts off the front road from the rest of the city (sorry, Napier)

2. What are the best cities for families with small children? (and where are the best suburbs/neighborhoods in those cities?)

I think Jen would go with Tauranga - and I've heard good things about it too. Also I'd look at New Plymouth.

3. In which areas/cities can immigrants generally expect to find a warm welcome from locals? (I know friendly and/or unfriendly people can be encountered anywhere, I'm just looking for a general idea.)

Auckland (there are more non-Kiwis than Kiwis ) and Wellington - definitely. But most places will probably be wary at first then accept you for what you show them you are.

4. Which cities provide more opportunities for employment in the construction industry?

I'd have to say Christchurch at the moment. But I think any of the cities in the list of 'significant growth' would also qualify.

5. Which cities are seeing significant growth?

Auckland, Tauranga for sure. There's a load of expansion into the countryside to the north and south of Auckland. Around our way there are new sections becoming available in Pokeno and Pukekohe, possibly driven by the rumour of an extended commuter train to Pokeno.

[carosapien]

It also depends on how you define a city and if you are looking for some of the benefits of city life.

The three largest are Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Tauranga only has 115,700 peple and Palmy North has 82,100. Most New Zealand cities are administrative districts and nothing more than towns.

I've only ever lived in and around Auckland so con't comment on what it's like to live in the other places. Most people tend to gravitate towards where the work is, which is why the top three are so popular.

Didn't you say you were coming over on holiday soon, that will give you a good opportunity to look around and see what suits you.

[MrsRose]

yep, we are coming over on holiday soon. That's why I'm doing as much questioning and online research as possible before we go so that we can pre-plan where we will be visiting during our stay. We will only be there for about 10 days, and can only afford so much travel in one trip so we can't visit every part of New Zealand. So I'm just trying to narrow down the areas we will be checking out on our holiday there.

We're not really super duper into the whole "big city" feel. Not dogmatically opposed to it either, but would probably prefer somewhere closer in size to Tauranga, or Hamilton than Auckland.

For us, "beautiful" means a city/town with lots of greenery and lovely natural surroundings. (less concrete, more nature) Clean, well-maintained streets and parks, etc. And not too condensed.

[topcat83]

Originally Posted by MrsRose

yep, we are coming over on holiday soon. That's why I'm doing as much questioning and online research as possible before we go so that we can pre-plan where we will be visiting during our stay. We will only be there for about 10 days, and can only afford so much travel in one trip so we can't visit every part of New Zealand. So I'm just trying to narrow down the areas we will be checking out on our holiday there.

We're not really super duper into the whole "big city" feel. Not dogmatically opposed to it either, but would probably prefer somewhere closer in size to Tauranga, or Hamilton than Auckland.

For us, "beautiful" means a city/town with lots of greenery and lovely natural surroundings. (less concrete, more nature) Clean, well-maintained streets and parks, etc. And not too condensed.

Hamilton. Very green, and the Waikato river runs through it
Lovely botanic gardens too.

[MrsRose]

Originally Posted by topcat83

Hamilton. Very green, and the Waikato river runs through it
Lovely botanic gardens too.

That brings up another question...

Is the Waikato River clean? Clean enough for swimming?

[carosapien]

Waikato council say its much better now than it was in the 1950s and urban and industrial wastewater treatment has improved considerably.

But the council says the levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in the river have risen over the last 20 years probably because of changes in land use.

You may have to pick your spot carefully if you want to swim in it. In the last 20 years 17 per cent of water quality measures improved at individual sites, and 37 per cent deteriorated.

Trends in Waikato River water quality

Campell Live did an investigative report called Is the Waikato River dangerously polluted? There's a video of the show you can look at

Is the Waikato River dangerously polluted? - Story - Campbell Live - TV Shows - 3 News

[inhamilton]

Originally Posted by MrsRose

Clean enough for swimming?

I think the general consensus is South of Hamilton = yes, Hamilton and North of it = no. Although there are plenty who do, especially kids around Ngaruawahia and Huntly (probably unwisely).