Christchurch named New Zealand’s happiest city
Thursday, 20 June 2024
Christchurch is the highest-ranking New Zealand city in the 2024 Happy City Index.
The Garden City came in at number 32, with European and UK cities claiming the top spots.
Wellington and Auckland appeared at 50th and 72nd place respectively.
If the pursuit of happiness isn’t going all that well for you, you might like to consider a move to Christchurch. Already living there? Perhaps it’s time to put yourself out there and make more of what the city has to offer.
At least that’s the upshot of the 2024 Happy City Index by the London-based Institute for Quality of Life, which conducts research on living standards around the world. With the index, it sought to highlight “a group of cities committed to happiness cultivation and growth”.
Education, inclusive policies, the economy, mobility, environmental protection, access to green areas and innovation were all taken into account.
Christchurch was the only New Zealand city to feature in the top 37, or ‘gold’ category.
Denmark’s second-largest city, Aarhus, already referred to as the ‘city of smiles’, claimed the top spot and was followed by Switzerland’s Zurich, Germany’s Berlin, Sweden’s Gothenburg and the Netherlands’ Amsterdam.
The top 17 cities were all in Europe or the UK, with the first city from elsewhere coming in at number 18 - Minneapolis in the US.
The first city from the Asia-Pacific region to feature was Brisbane in Australia, which placed 21st.
Christchurch placed 32nd, making it the highest-ranking New Zealand city on the list by far. Wellington came in at number 50, and Auckland at 72.
Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger said the Garden City’s ranking as Aotearoa’s happiest city reflects something residents already know.
“And we must be doing something right because a lot of people are moving here.
“Christchurch has become one of the best places in New Zealand to work, live, play and invest, as well as fast becoming one of the top spots for sports and events.
“The University of Canterbury has had its biggest influx of students for the second year in a row - so we’re also one of the best places to come and learn.”
Mauger said housing in Christchurch is reasonably affordable in comparison to the rest of the country, it’s relatively easy to get around, and residents are spoilt for choice when it comes to hospitality.
“Plus, you can put your foot in the sea, go for a swim and in two and a half hours’ time be strapping on your ski boots in the mountains.”
New developments such as multi-use stadium Te Kaha and sports facility Parakiore have also “put a spring in people’s step”, he said.
“All of this is a combination of 13 years hard work since the earthquakes.”
University of Otago tourism professor Neil Carr said the true measure of a city’s happiness is how happy residents are.
“Armed with that knowledge we can then actually set about trying to raise the happiness of everyone in every city. However, that is a much more difficult data collection exercise.”
Of the more than 24,000 people who voted in a recent Stuff poll asking ‘Where is the best place to live in New Zealand?’, 24% answered Christchurch, making it the most popular community on the list.
Fifteen percent of respondents chose Wellington and 12% Nelson, while just 8% said Auckland was the best place to be.
So, which do you think is New Zealand’s happiest city? Share your thoughts in the comments.
The Happy City Index top 37
Aarhus, Denmark
Zurich, Switzerland
Berlin, Germany
Gothenburg, Sweden
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Helsinki, Finland
Bristol, United Kingdom
Copenhagen, Denmark
Geneva, Switzerland
Munich, Germany
Stockholm, Sweden
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Oulu, Finland
Vienna, Austria
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Reykjavik, Iceland
Aalborg, Denmark
Minneapolis (Minnesota), United States
Basel, Switzerland
Alesund, Norway
Brisbane, Australia
Bruges, Belgium
Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Bordeaux, France
Cork, Ireland
Cologne, Germany
Eskilstuna, Sweden
Utrecht, Netherlands
Innsbruck, Austria
Espoo, Finland
Osaka, Japan
Christchurch, New Zealand
London, United Kingdom
Singapore, Singapore
Jonkoping, Sweden
Seoul, South Korea
Ottawa, Canada