Wellington’s quality of life is attracting skilled migrants to live in the city and contribute to its economic prosperity, according to a Department of Labour study.

The migrants, who came to Wellington under the skilled migrant category, said they had deliberately chosen Wellington above other cities because of the city’s physical beauty and geographical compactness, its unique labour market, educational institutions and family connections.

The 22 migrants interviewed for the study, Why Wellington?, were selected from people living close to the Wellington central business district and included people from the United Kingdom, South Africa, Japan, Taiwan, China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vanuatu and Fiji.

The study participants were highly skilled people - all but four were professionals or managers.

Participants who chose to make Wellington their home said they found the city socially diverse and friendly.

“The lifestyle here is very ideal, you know I can have a reasonably good job and also urban life (but at the same time) so close to the nature things especially in Wellington, 10 minutes to everything.

“Ten minutes to beach, 10 minutes to the forest, to the bush, yeah and 10 minutes to downtown,” one woman said.

The study will be followed up with further studies with migrants in other centres to explore similarities and differences in the motivations that underpin the national patterns of settling and further migration decisions, head of immigration Nigel Bickle said today.

“These findings help us learn more about how we can attract and retain the people we need for our economy to grow.

“Immigration plays a vital role in securing New Zealand’s prosperity,” Mr Bickle said

“It supplies critical skills for our workforce, visitors for our valuable tourism industry and overseas students for our education industry, which are all important for the Wellington economy and its continued growth.”

Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown said the study “helps to confirm what we all know about our city.

“Wellington is a compact, cosmopolitan city in a beautiful environment.”

23 November, 2010

Wellington is named as the 4th top city in the world to visit in 2011 by Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2011, released this month.

In its first recognition of a New Zealand city in the annual collection of the world’s best trends, destinations, journeys and experiences, the publication refers to Wellington under the banner of “coolest little capital in the world”.

Lonely Planet’s Asia-Pacific Travel Editor Shawn Low said Best in Travel 2011 draws on the knowledge, passion and kilometres traveled by Lonely Planet’s staff, authors and online community. Previously the top 10 countries, regions and cities have been listed alphabetically, but Lonely Planet has revealed them in ranked order for the first time in its sixth edition.

“This book started with hundreds of ideas from everyone at Lonely Planet, including our extended family of travellers, bloggers and tweeters,” Mr Low said. “These ideas were then whittled down by a panel of in-house travel experts, based on scores for topicality, excitement, value for money and that special X-factor.

“In the case of Wellington, Best in Travel 2011 suggests that New Zealand’s most innovative and inspiring city might just be the ‘Best Little Capital in the World’.”

Best in Travel 2011 writer Catherine Le Nevez describes Wellington in the book as “Cool-with-a-capital-C”. The abundance of arts and cultural events, the culinary and film scene, and the city’s attitude to sport are among the things that make the Wellington stand out.  Wellingtonians also get a well deserved mention.

“Wellingtonians are modest-as; they just figure if you’re going to do something, why not do it well?,” she writes.

“Its compact size energises its sense of community. Locals love their city…and get a kick out of helping visitors fall in love with it too.”

Positively Wellington Tourism Chief Executive David Perks said sharing a top 10 podium with the likes of New York and edgy destinations such as Tel Aviv is priceless recognition for New Zealand and its capital.

“To have Lonely Planet – a global brand respected for frank opinions and having its finger on the pulse – come out and refer to Wellington as the ‘coolest little capital in the world’ and among the top 10 cities you must visit for 2011 is quite simply incredible.”

The announcement comes as the 85,000 international travellers expected to visit New Zealand for Rugby World Cup 2011 look to plan their visit in more detail. Best in Travel 2011 lists Rugby World Cup in Wellington on its planner of major events around the world for the year.

Coupled with Wellington’s regular placing as New Zealand’s favourite destination in the quarterly Fly Buys/Colmar Brunton Mood of the Traveller poll, the Lonely Planet recognition creates an exciting platform for the city for 2011, Mr Perks says.

Year three of Visa Wellington On a Plate in August and an expanded Montana WOW Awards Show season will lead into RWC 2011 kick off in September. Hundreds of writers will then descend on the city for the Society of American Travel Writers conference in November, as another bumper cruise season settles in for summer.

“Wellington never suffered the hits from the downturn that many other destinations did, but things haven’t been as strong as we’re used to either – especially over winter. 2011 is set to be an exciting year but the job’s not done; it’s only just beginning.”

Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Cities 2011 are:

1. New York City, USA
2. Tangier, Morocco
3. Tel Aviv, Israel
4. Wellington, New Zealand
5. Valencia, Spain
6. Iquitos, Peru
7. Ghent, Belgium
8. Delhi, India
9. Newcastle, Australia
10. Chiang Mai, Thailand

Ref: WellingtonNZ.com

24 August 2010

Here in New Zealand we are proud of our nation.  Throughout a series of articles we will be showcasing this wonderful country of ours.

New Zealand has so much to offer for its own residents, tourists and those of you looking to emigrate.   If you are looking at investing in New Zealand property it would be wise to familiarise yourself with the area and anyone considering a visit should take note of the following.

Let’s begin!

#100    Beehive and Parliament Buildings - Wellington 
For those of you unfamiliar with the New Zealand Government building; the Beehive is an interesting piece of architecture to say the least!  As you would think the building is shaped like a beehive and was constructed in the 1970’s.  A controversial design at the time; it is now a New Zealand icon.  Parliament has an ‘open house’ policy and free tours of the buildings are available, including the debating chamber while is session.  For more information please visit www.parliament.nz

#99     New Zealand Rugby Museum – Palmerston North, Manawatu
New Zealand’s national game is rugby union.  The national team (the All Blacks) are the most successful team in the history of the sport and New Zealanders are very proud of their “men in black” so much so the nation goes into mourning if they lose!  The rugby museum in Palmerston North showcases New Zealand as a rugby powerhouse and has a range of interesting and informative displays for the fan and non-fan alike.  To make a booking please visit www.rugbymuseum.co.nz

#98    Stonehenge Aotearoa – Carterton, Wairarapa
Aotearoa is the Maori (indigenous people of this land) name for New Zealand.   It means “Land of the Long White Cloud.”  The structure completed near Carterton in 2005 is a full scale working model of the original Stonehenge situated in Salisbury Plains, England.  Aotearoa Stonehenge is perfectly placed to record seasons; celebrate winter solstice and Matariki (Maori New Year).  Situated on private property, bookings are essential so please visit www.astronomynz.org.nz/stonehenge for more information.

#97    Cross Country Skiing – Queenstown/Southern Lakes
New Zealand has world renowned ski fields and breath-taking scenery.   Lake Wanaka has New Zealand’s only dedicated cross-country skiing area, with over 50 kilometres of tracks way up in the Pisa Range.  Cross country skiing can take some mastering but it is an experience like no other on the ski field and the views along the mountains and over the lake are well worth the hard work.  For more information please see www.snowfarmnz.com

#96    Writers Walk – Wellington
This self-tour of the capital city is for those with an avid interest in the arts.  The tour encapsulates musings cast in stone by writers who, at some point in their lives, have called Wellington home.  These include Katherine Mansfield, Robin Hyde, Denis Glover, Bruce Mason and Vincent O’Sullivan.  Look out for James K Baxter’s sculpture, which appears to float on the surface of the Te Papa pool.  For more info see www.wellingtonnz.com/sights_activities/wellington_writers_walk

#95    Hundertwasser Toilets – Kawakawa, Northland
These need to be seen to be believed!  Situated in the picturesque town of Kawakawa; these public conveniences were designed by world renowned artist, ecologist and architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser – the only structure he completed in the southern hemisphere.   Made of recycled coloured glass bottles and old bricks, featuring brightly coloured archways and sculptured columns with a tree growing in the building itself – this is not to be missed if you are visiting Northland! www.eventfinder.co.nz/venue/hundertwasser-public-toilets-kawakawa

#94    Golf in Alpine Splendour – Queenstown/Southern Lakes
Queenstown Golf Club’s 5th hole is said to be one of the most photographed in the world.  Framed by Lake Wakatipu and the majesty of the Southern Alps it can be difficult to concentrate on your drive!  The world class Millbrook Resort and golf club is a short drive from Queenstown and offers similar awe-inspiring views along with luxurious accommodation.  Please visit www.queenstowngolf.co.nz or www.millbrook.co.nz

#93    Port Waikato – Auckland
Situated on Auckland’s West Coast, this is where New Zealand’s longest river meets the sea.  A classic Kiwi beachside town, the beauty and serenity of this area is second to none.  Parts of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy were filmed here and the nearby Nikau Glow Worm caves offer something different.   Peaceful coastal walks on black sand dunes and prime fishing round out this quintessential Kiwi experience. Visit www.portwaikato.com

#92    Central Otago Curling – Alexandra/Maniototo
Parts of Central Otago are seen as thoroughfares to the Queenstown/Southern Lakes District.  However some of these towns and settlements offer a unique beauty and culture all of their own.   The Scottish sport of curling is a big hit in Central Otago and well worth a go!  It involves hurling 20 kilo stones fitted with a handle down a 35 metre strip of groomed ice.  Similar to lawn bowls the aim is to get closest to the markers. www.curling.co.nz

#91    Volcano Treks – Auckland
A little known fact about our biggest city is that much of the urban area sits on dormant volcanoes!  Two of the most popular cones to visit are Mt Eden and One Tree Hill.  Mt Eden is the highest and offer stunning views over the harbour and city.  One Tree Hill was one of the largest Maori settlement complexes in the country at one point and is claimed to be the largest pre0histroic earth fort in the world.  These are both easily accessible by foot or car. See www.tourism.net.nz/region/auckland

Please keep a look out for the next article in our series.  With thanks to AA Travel.

Ref: www.aatravel.co.nz

30 June 2010

In the latest Mercer Cost of Living Survey Auckland and Wellington have emerged as two of the cheapest cities in the world to live in.  Auckland came in 149th place and Wellington in 163rd place, beating all Australian cities surveyed in offering value for money.

There were 214 cities in the global study with Tokyo and Osaka (Japan) coming in the top 10 most costly cities and Karachi, Pakistan (214) coming in at the most affordable city to live in.

The Mercer survey measures the comparative cost of more than 200 items in each location, including housing, transport, food, clothing, household goods and entertainment.  It is used to help multinational companies and governments determine compensation allowance for their expatriate employees.

New Zealand was ranked more affordable than Australian cities in the study, including Sydney (24) Melbourne (33), Brisbane (55), Perth (60) and Canberra (74).

Mercer senior researcher Nathalie Constantin-Metral said New Zealand and Australia remain cost competitive countries for companies sending staff to the Asia Pacific region for expansion; particularly when compared to the cost of living in Japan, China, Hong Kong and Singapore (all in the top 20 most costly cities).

Costly cities
1 Luanda, Angola
2 Tokyo, Japan
3 Ndjamena, Chad
4 Moscow, Russia
5 Geneva, Switzerland
6 Osaka, Japan
7 Libreville, Gabon
8 Zurich, Switzerland
8= Hong Kong
9 Copenhagen, Denmark

Most affordable
205 Windhoek, Namibia
206 Tegucigalpa, Honduras
207 Kolkata/Calcutta, India
208 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
209 Bishkek, Kyrgyztan
210 Ashkhabad, Turkmenistan
211 La Paz, Bolivia
212 Islamabad, Pakistan
212 Mangua, Nicaragua
214 Karachi, Pakistan

Ref: www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article

29 June 2010

The Mercer Quality of Living Survey rates over 220 cities throughout the world on variety of factors including the current political, social and economic environment.   Housing, schools, public services and access to consumer goods are also considerations for the rankings.

Auckland topped the Asia Pacific category (coming in ahead of Sydney and Melbourne) and rated 4th equal overall, tied with Vancouver and coming in behind Vienna, Zurich and Geneva.

Wellington rated well in the Eco City category, coming in at 5th Placed overall in the world; number 1 in Asia Pacific.  The eco ranking relates to water availability and drinkability, waste removal and quality of sewerage systems, air pollution and traffic congestion.

Baghdad remains the worst city on the index, placed last out of the 221 cities surveyed this year and London, Tokyo and New York came in at 39, 40 and 49 respectively.  Australia fared well on the index with Sydney coming in at 10, Melbourne (18) and Perth (21).

Mr Slagin Parakatil, a representative from Mercer (a leading global provider of consulting, outsourcing and investment services) said that “Quality of living standards remained relatively stable on a global level throughout 2009 and the first half of 2010, but in certain regions and countries the economic recession had a noticeable impact on the business climate.”  He went on to say “though a high standard of living may be taken for granted in certain cities, a lack thereof is much more noticeable and can even lead to severe hardship.”

Top 5 cities: Quality of living ranking

• Vienna, Austria (1st)
• Zurich, Switzerland (2nd)
• Geneva, Switzerland (3rd)
• Vancouver, Canada (tied 4th)
• Auckland, New Zealand (tied 4th)

Top 5 cities: Eco-city ranking

• Calgary, Canada (1st)
• Honolulu, United States (2nd)
• Ottawa, Canada (tied 3rd)
• Helsinki, Finland (tied 3rd)
• Wellington, New Zealand (5th)

Ref: www.mercer.com/qualityofliving

Source: NZ Herald

Dec 04, 2008

Queenstown and the Lakes District, the South Island’s internationally renowned tourist area, has been rated as New Zealand’s most affluent place to live.

The Lakes District and tourist town just scraped home over the North Shore City, in Auckland, said Stephen Hart, the author of a report which examined a range of factors from more than 70 territorial authorities throughout New Zealand.

He said, after producing a list of 20 cities and districts based on house prices, they also looked at several other factors, including households earning more than $100,000 a year, homes least likely to be in deprived areas, the percentage of residents with a degree, lowest unemployment rates, and residents who were chief executives, general managers or legislators.

In his report, commissioned by the ASB Bank, Mr Hart said Queenstown, where “more and more of our most successful city folk are choosing to call home”, only just scraped home in first place ahead of North Shore City.

He said they were not searching for the domains of the super-rich or the hideaways of celebrities.

“What we want to discover is which of New Zealand’s towns and cities could be best described as being the most ’sought after’ and their residents’ the most ‘comfortable’.”

He said, like it or not, the most fundamental indicator of a place’s desirability was its house prices and if a lot of people wanted to live somewhere house prices rose as a result of that demand, and analysing house prices was a good place to start.

House prices and the other factors were allocated points to put the list of 20 places in order, starting with the most affluent.

Mr Hart said Queenstown Lakes was undoubtedly a highly desirable place to live. The population of 23,000 grew by 35 per cent between 2001 and 2006 - more than anywhere else in the country and more than four times the national average.

The average home in Queenstown Lakes was more than $570,000. Only North Shore City had a higher price at $573,000.

Queenstown Lakes also scored well against all other criteria, especially jobs. Its unemployment rate of 1.7 per cent was lower than any of the other contenders.

Queenstown people were also “a well qualified bunch with 19 per cent possessing a bachelor’s degree or higher, the fourth highest in the country”.

Mr Hart said Queenstown was also fourth in its percentage of population in the top occupation category of chief executive, general managers and legislators, behind Rodney District, Auckland and North Shore cities.

North Shore City was unlucky not to come out first overall. It was in the top three for every measure, except for its unemployment rate which at 4.3 per cent was lower than the national average of 5.1 per cent but only ninth-best of the places surveyed.

Wellington City was the best qualified and highest paid place in New Zealand but, surprisingly, rated only ninth for the number of chief executive officers, general managers and legislators. More lived in the nearby Kapiti Coast District.

Porirua and Manukau Cities scored higher than many expected. They ranked fourth and fifth respectively for households earning more than $100,000 a year - higher than Queenstown Lakes District.

Auckland City was second for high earners, graduates and senior managers, and third for house prices. Its unemployment rate of 5.7 per cent and ordinary low deprivation decile scores meant it would never be in the very top tier.

The top 20 most affluent places to live were:

1. Queenstown Lakes District

2. North Shore City

3. Wellington City

3. Auckland City

5. Rodney District

6. Selwyn District

7. Franklin District

8. Porirua District

9. Manukau District

10. Tauranga District

11. Tasman District

12. Central Otago District

13. Waitakere City

14. Kapiti Coast District

15. Thames Coromandel District

16. South Wairarapa District

17. Lower Hutt City

18. Taupo City

19. Christchurch City

20. Nelson City

Other snapshots from the report included:

House prices
Highest: North Shore City $573,430.
Lowest: Tararua District $145,742

Percentage of households earning over $100,000 a year
Highest: Wellington City 35.2 per cent.
Lowest: Buller District 6.3 per cent.

Percentage of households in deprivation deciles 1 to 3
Best: Selwyn District 69.9 per cent.
Worst: Wairoa District 1.4 per cent.

Percentage of people with a bachelor’s degree or higher
Highest: Wellington City 35.3 per cent.
Lowest: Kawerau District 3.7 per cent.

Unemployment rate
Best: Queenstown Lakes District 1.7 per cent.
Worst: Kawerau District 13.7 per cent.

Percentage of population of chief executives, general managers and legislators
Highest: Rodney District 5.3 per cent.
Lowest: South Taranaki 1.6 per cent.

October 2008

The World of Wearable Art Show puts New Zealand on the global fashion map

Audiences at Wellington’s 20th World of Wearable Art (WOW) awards show, which runs until October 5, were dazzled by some of the fabulous concoctions on offer.

The show mesmerised crowds with 189 garments from around the world, displayed in an extravaganza of acrobatics, dance, comedy, pyrotechnics and a menagerie of stunning white birds.

The event has turned Wellington into a hub for international design, with contestants from as far afield as the UK, the USA, India, Japan, Thailand, Germany, The Netherlands, Israel, Fiji and Canada attracted by the reputation of the event and the $NZ 100,000 prize money on offer.

“The success of WOW has always been dependent on new designers participating and we’ve spent considerable time traveling to The USA, Asia, and Australia to encourage fresh entrants,” explains Suzie Moncrieff, the show’s Founder and Director.  “We’re delighted to see many international entries coming in.”

Contestants are challenged to create something unique, which will have impact on a 40-metre arena stage and can withstand detailed inspection. 35 finalists are selected from approximately 300 global entries every year and the competition is fierce.  The ideas behind the entries are as varied as the countries they come from.

Incredible Creations

The Supreme Montana WOW Award winner went to Nadine Jaggi for her intricate garment Ornitho Maia (bird mother).  The Wellington costume technician had to do unimaginable things to leather: wet mould, emboss, carve, hand-dye and hand-sew it to achieve her highly crafted effect, and describes the idea as, “An ethereal protector of the beautiful feathered creatures of our world.”  Ornitho Maia was also winner of the Air New Zealand South Pacific Section.

WOW judge and corrugated iron artist Jeff Thomson said “It’s exhilarating how people can be so creative when they limit themselves to one material; Nadine has stretched her imagination and created something that enters another dimension”.

In the HP Children’s section ‘Reinterpret the Tutu’ youngsters twirled in costumes made out of lego, pine cones, paintbrushes, barbie dolls, used tea bags, hamburgers and chips, balloons, birds nests and a make-believe stingray.

Men in 1930’s suits served up chickens, geese, parrots and doves on trays, as models pranced through the American Express Open section to a backdrop of blossoming imagery, as life-size birds created by Universal Studios costume maker and first-time WOW entrant, Sean Purucker capered around the stage.

Pink parachuting bras delighted the audience in the opening of the Shell Bizarre Bra section amongst 1950s dancers, air force regalia and Wellington’s Beat Girls.  Bras with propellers, wine barrels, purses, guns, handcuffs, lotto balls, boxing gloves, cockroaches, jack-in-the-boxes and a zimmer frame, ensured the 20th Montana WOW Awards Show ended on an uplifting peak.

Green Design

Recycling was big this year too. The Tourism New Zealand Avant Garde section stunned the crowd with burlesque trapeze artists, nuns on roller blades, girls on ladders with giant cocktail umbrellas, and a circus performer balancing on a tower of chairs.  Decadent garments were made from Tchaikovsky’s sheet music, names of Titanic survivors, 2000 black labels from Berlin, human hair from the UK, and recycled shoes from The Netherlands.

And old drinking straws have never been put to a better use; Anat and Ehud Van-Cleef Shamai from Hofit, Israel collected 3500 straws to create their garment, The Spirit Of Africa, which dances in the dark.  “Using the straw as a basic material in our garment is part of our life philosophy to recycle!,” said the team.

Winner of the 2007 Tourism New Zealand Avant Garde Section, David Walker, has created a cheeky garment, ‘No Laughing Matter’, for the Shell Bizarra Bra section,
made out of Jack-In-The-Boxes.  A carpenter by trade, this Alaskan artist has been creating wearable art for eight years.

Over 100 water bottles and an oxygen tent have gone into the construction of Bev
Juno’s avant-garde garment Clear Trash Beautiful. The artist from Sooke, Canada
was challenged to create something that used light and no colour. Her aim is to “Take art off the wall and throw away the frame; allowing it to interact in our daily lives.”

15 August, 2008 

Karori Sanctuary, one of New Zealand’s leading conservation tourism attractions, has won a prestigious conservation tourism award

The Sanctuary won the prestigious DOC Conservation in Action Award at the recent New Zealand Tourism Industry Awards.

Karori Sanctuary by CEO Nancy McIntosh-Ward is delighted with the win.

“This award recognises our contribution to New Zealand’s growing sustainable tourism industry and our achievements in managing the Sanctuary as both a visitor attraction and an internationally-respected ecological restoration project”

Located just 10 minutes drive from downtown Wellington, Karori Sanctuary gives a unique opportunity to engage with endangered native birds and other wildlife. A new Visitor and Education Centre is currently under construction, and due to open in the summer of 2009/10.

The new state-of-the-art Centre will be New Zealand’s first facility dedicated exclusively to our country’s unique natural history and conservation story.

Research indicates that in the first three years of the Centre’s operation, visitors to the Karori Sanctuary will increase almost three-fold from 70,000 to nearly 200,000.

“The Centre’s potential impact on Wellington’s international visitor market is significant. If 30,000 international visitors spent another night here because of the Karori Sanctuary, that would mean another $4.5 million per year being spent in Wellington.”

Positively Wellington Tourism has worked closely with Karori Sanctuary on the designs and plans for the Visitor and Education Centre. A key focus has been how the Centre will deliver a world-class visitor experience, through its design elements and layout.

“We have been excited by what we’ve seen, throughout the planning process,” says Tim. “The Centre will offer a unique visitor experience with its combination of nature, story-telling and interactive technology. I’m confident the Wellington tourism industry and public will be as excited about this Centre as we are.”