Poll: Where is the best place to live in New Zealand and why?

Wednesday, 6 March 2024

Ask someone where the best place to live in New Zealand is, and you’ll probably receive a passionate answer.

Stuff stories about the growth of towns and cities and people moving somewhere new, often receive a huge response.

Last month, Stuff reported that Tauranga, New Zealand’s fastest growing city for the last 27 years, had lost it’s crown. Hamilton, sometimes called ‘the city of the future’, now tops the list.

Between 30 June 2022 and 30 June 2023, Hamilton city grew 3.4% while Tauranga city grew 2.5%.

Hamilton city grew faster than any region between 2022 and 2023. Waikato region was the third fastest growing region (behind Auckland and Otago regions), growing by 2.3% between 2022 and 2023. Bay of Plenty was fourth, growing 2.1%.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, Stuff reported that Wellington had lost its status as New Zealand’s second city, with Christchurch now deputy to Auckland. Both cities’ mayors gave their thoughts.

Where is the best place to live in New Zealand? Vote in the poll or leave your thoughts in the comments.

It’s time Stuff readers had a chance to weigh in on the debate. Above is a poll including New Zealand’s main centres and a few other places we felt couldn’t be left off the list.

Should Hamilton be the Capital city of NZ? The people of the country's fourth most-populous city give their verdict.

Vote in the poll and leave a comment telling us why your town is your favourite. If your town is missing from the poll, explain why it should be in the running.