6 April, 2011

The Auckland housing market moved further ahead of the rest of the country in March, with real estate company Barfoot & Thompson reporting its sales in the city rose the highest monthly level in nearly four years.

The company recorded 1070 sales last month, up from 927 in March 2010, figures published today show.

Goldman Sachs economist Philip Borkin said it was becoming clearer the Auckland housing market was outperforming the rest of the country.

“While the recent reductions in mortgage rates will be supporting activity and sentiment, we believe the outperformance is more fundamental in nature,” Mr Borkin said.

With historically low levels of new building and net migration, while not at strong levels, likely to be more supportive of Auckland housing demand than other parts of the country, he suspected demographic pressures were slowly beginning to surface.

That was also shown by increases in average rents, which were at a new record high of $434 per week.

The Barfoot & Thompson sales figures for March were up 11 percent from February on a seasonally adjusted basis, and up 15 percent from a year earlier, to reach the highest seasonally adjusted monthly level since December 2009, Mr Borkin said.

It was the fifth consecutive monthly rise in sales turnover by the company and followed an 8.2 percent rise in February.

Given the housing market was a good leading indicator, and with the Auckland region an economic juggernaut, the rising sales may signal the start of an improvement in the consumer spending backdrop, Mr Borkin said.

“We think it is too early to make a call on this yet given that household behaviour remains one of caution and deleveraging, but we are watching closely.”

Barfoot & Thompson said its average selling price reached an all time high $581,190 in March, with buyers of properties above $500,000 appearing to have decided now was the right time to buy.

The average price was $59,000 higher than that in February and $36,000 higher than in March 2010.

Barfoot & Thompson managing director Peter Thompson said the sales activity confirmed the Auckland market was reacting differently to that in the rest of the country.

“The formation of the Auckland region into one city has brought home to people the dynamic growth projected for the region, and the looming shortage of dwellings to house a future population in excess of 2 million people,” Mr Thompson said.

Ad Feedback “Combined with buyers reaching the conclusion that values are at the bottom of the price cycle, the economy looking likely to rebound in the next 12 months and interest rates at historically low levels, and you have the perfect conditions for people to commit to buying.”

The $434 average weekly rent was the highest on record, and the $32 rise from February was the biggest one month rise on record.

Ref: stuff.co.nz - NZPA

4 April, 2011

Within 15 years Auckland will have no room left for new housing according to a property analyst.

It will be impossible to build new stand-alone houses on more than 400 square metres of land as early as 2023 says Lisa Phillips, a director of Auckland-based company Erskine+Owen.

After that many Aucklanders will be forced to live in terraced houses and apartments with shared common outdoor spaces.

“Prices will surge as more and more people compete for an ever dwindling supply of dwellings,” she says.

And it is not just room to build that may cause a shortage of housing in Auckland.

Ms Phillips says fact is that red tape and restrictive rules on land use means that growing in as-yet developed areas is not as simple as it sounds.

“There is a ring fence around Auckland called the Metropolitan Urban Limit that separates the urban from the rural.

“To bust into the other side of the limit could take up to five years of applications and consents. Then there are issues around who owns the land and then they might not want to sell it.”

She says Christchurch’s earthquake and required rebuild could also compound the problems for Auckland homeowners.

“Construction activity is already at historic lows along with a down-sized building industry.

“There simply may not be enough capacity to go around. This may further hinder the speed at which Auckland can respond to its burgeoning demand for housing.”

It appears Ms Phillips warning is being echoed by many.

Public meetings are currently underway discussing Auckland’s major planning document, the Auckland Plan, which is set to be released in December.

A discussion document on the plan reveals Auckland had “already fallen short by approximately 10,000 new homes - the equivalent of a town the size of Blenheim” over the past three years.

It says the Auckland Plan needs to be “framed in a way that can cope with change and uncertainty”.

This is because of the projected need in Auckland for 330,000 new dwellings by 2040, and the possibility of falling short of meeting this target, together with the “very real prospect” that we may become more attractive to migrants than projected.

Ref: 3News.co.nz

17 February, 2011

Auckland’s rental crisis is worsening, with prices rising 7 per cent in a year and desperate tenants going to extreme measures including offering to pay six months’ rent in advance.

New figures show rents in the most desirable suburbs have jumped an extraordinary 24 per cent.

A lack of new construction and increasing demand from a booming population unable to get on to the property ladder are among factors getting the blame.

Last week, the Herald reported how 200 would-be tenants looked through one Kingsland rental property in just 30 minutes.

Real Estate Institute chief Helen O’Sullivan yesterday blamed the rental shortage on “pure demand and supply”.

She said very little building had been done in the past 18 months as developers struggled to find finance for developments that were traditionally sought after by first-home buyers or people looking for investment units.

“You look around Auckland and you’re not seeing major housing developments in rental pockets under way anywhere. The supply hasn’t increased and demand has indeed grown,” Mrs O’Sullivan said.

Nationally, rental prices have risen 3 per cent, according to Crockers Property figures released yesterday.

But in Auckland, the rise is more than double that.

It has been driven by rental prices in the desirable city-fringe areas such as Grey Lynn and Westmere where median rents for a three-bedroom house reached $675 a week in January - an increase of 22 per cent on the same time last year.

The median price for a three-bedroom house in Epsom, Newmarket and Royal Oak increased 24 per cent to $585 a week.

However, the soaring rents are doing little to deter would-be tenants who are increasingly desperate to find a place to live.

Harcourts Ponsonby property manager Sharon Ryan said it was not unusual for applicants to offer more than the advertised rental price for homes in Ponsonby, Herne Bay, Freemans Bay and Parnell.

She said some tenants were even signing tenancy agreements without viewing the property first - and in one case someone offered to pay a six-month block of rent up-front.

“You always get a bit worried when they haven’t seen it. I always say it is better to look first, but I had a girl who had missed out on quite a few properties before and she already knew the complex,” said Mrs Ryan.

Other tenants were willing to pay double rent - shelling out for a new property while still paying rent on their current place - to ensure they did not miss out while they gave the required three weeks’ notice.

“Sometimes it is really hard to decide, because you will get six applicants and they are all good. Sometimes what it comes down to is first in/first served,” said Mrs Ryan.

Yesterday, an open home for a three-bedroom townhouse in Grey Lynn advertised at $680 a week - $5 above the average price - attracted 12 people in half an hour over a mid-week lunch time.

Barfoot & Thompson property manager Maureen Kan said the shortage meant landlords had started to ask for more rent.

But she warned that even in a tough market, a property could sit vacant for the sake of $20 or $30 more a week.

“Basically the market is the market. Tenants know what is out there and they have seen enough properties to know when something is overpriced,” said Mrs Kan.

In some areas of Auckland, however, there has been a slight drop in the median rental price.

In Devonport and Takapuna, rents were down 4 per cent last month when compared to the previous January.

Geri Martin, of Bayleys in Takapuna, said it seemed landlords in the area were trying to cater to “fussy tenants”.

“Tenants are really fussy - if they don’t like something in the house they won’t pay as much, or won’t rent.”

Ref: New Zealand Herald

27 January, 2011

Demand for tidy, central rental properties in Auckland is reaching crisis point, with supply unable to keep up.

Listings on a top real estate site for the start of January show a 24 per cent decrease compared with the same period last year, with demand up 8 per cent.

With up to 60 people turning up to viewings, renters are resorting to extreme measures to beat the competition. Many arrive early to open homes, while others turn to bidding wars, say real estate agents.

“In terms of year on year, certainly supply is down in Auckland and particularly Auckland city,” said one leading real estate website spokesman. Supply for January was also down in the Bay of Plenty, 22 per cent; Canterbury,1 per cent; and Northland 14 per cent.

Agents are reporting that often up 30 people are turning up to open homes.

In Mt Eden, crowds of young professionals were snapping up three and four-bedroom villas for $500-$600 a week.

Agents received 90 calls about a recent listing for a two-bedroom home in Mt Eden and up to 60 people turned up to open homes for popular properties. One Auckland agent says “For some of the properties we get 100 calls a week - there’s just not enough properties.”

Keen renters are also offering more than the asking price.

“For one in Mt Eden the rent was $430 and someone offered $450. For a two-bedroom apartment in town one person offered $10 or $20 more,” she said. High numbers of Kiwis returning from overseas and new immigrants were pushing up demand for rentals.

“I think it’s also people who previously would have bought but banks require 20 per cent [deposit] now - it’s out of people’s reach.”

Housing Minister Phil Heatley said a lack of building activity was another problem, with building not keeping up with population growth.

Ref: NZ Herald

23 November 2010

An additional 100,000 rental properties will be required for Auckland at a cost of $31.1 billion over the next 20 years,and population growth will fuel demand for rental accommodation, the Centre for Housing Research’s says in its Auckland Housing Market Assessment.

The report assesses the current and future housing demand for the city with predictions that population growth, particularly from older, smaller and rental households, will drive demand for additional property.  “Demand for rentals will increase much faster than demand from owner-occupiers.  Between 2006 and 2026, Auckland will need an additional 95,980 private rental dwellings,” the report said.

Over that time the population of Auckland is expected to increase by almost 40%.  Households aged 65-plus are expected to increase by 78.8%, accounting for 32.7% of total growth in household numbers.  Couple-only and single person households are expected to increase by 33% and 29.25% respectively.

Another growing trend highlighted by the report will be an increase in financially stressed renter households - financially stressed being households that spend more than 30% of their total gross income on housing costs.  Renter households, older households and single-person households are the most vulnerable to increased financial stress and the report says that over the two decades the number of financially stressed renter households is forecast to increase by 66.6%.

Demand for rental accommodation is forecast to increase at a “significantly” faster rate than demand from owner/occupiers.

Ref: Landlords.co.nz 

Auckland will face pressures on land development capacity, significant increases in the number of house renters and rental properties required, as well as pressures on transport infrastructure due to strong population growth over the next 16 years, the Centre for Housing Research said in a report released today.

Here is the release from the Centre for Housing Research.

The Centre for Housing Research, Aotearoa New Zealand (CHRANZ) has today released the research report “Auckland Region Housing Market Assessment” (November 2010) that assesses current and future housing demand and need (2006 to 2026) in the Auckland region, its distribution, composition and also its implications. This is the first such assessment using the New Zealand housing market assessment manual.

Undertaken by Darroch Limited, this research was funded by CHRANZ and the Auckland Regional Council.

Key findings:

• Strong population growth in Auckland will place stress on Auckland’s dwelling capacity, infrastructure, transport, and city form as it shapes the housing market until 2026.

• Dwelling demand for the 14 defined housing market areas (HMAs) will increase by 39.6 percent - from 431,890 dwellings in 2006 to 601,420 by 2026.

• The Auckland region already has (June 2009) significant renter housing affordability issues - 49.9 percent of all private renter households are experiencing ‘financial housing stress’ – households spending more than 30 percent of that household’s total gross income on housing costs.

• Demand for rental accommodation will continue to increase a significantly faster rate (63.5%) than demand for owner-occupier dwellings (26.2%).

• Home ownership has significantly reduced from 70.7 percent to 66.9 percent between 1996 and 2006.

• The absolute size of the ‘intermediate housing market’ (IHM) increased from 39,700 to 77,110 households between 2001 and 2009. ( IHM is the number of private renter households who have a least one member in paid employment and cannot afford to purchase a dwelling at the lower quartile sale price, assuming standard bank lending conditions.)

• Housing demand will be particularly shaped by the growth in older, couple-only and single person households and will increase demand for smaller one and two-bedroom dwellings.

• Auckland’s residential development capacity under the existing Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) will be nearing full capacity by 2026.

• A mismatch between the location of dwelling capacity in the region and the location of projected employment growth (especially for higher skilled and high paid occupations in Auckland city). 51 percent of the employment growth in the region is projected to be located in Auckland City but this area only has 32 percent of regional dwelling capacity.

• The implications for Auckland and its new governance will include: pressures on land development capacity; significant increases in the number of renters and rental properties required; as well as pressures on transport infrastructure.

1 September 2010

Welcome to the second edition of our series focusing on New Zealand and its many delights.  There are numerous amazing locales to visit while in the “Land of the Long White Cloud” and if you are planning a trip for pleasure or looking at purchasing New Zealand investment property these are well worth your consideration!

#90    The Interislander Experience – Wellington/Picton
New Zealand is made up of two main islands; these have the imaginative monikers of North Island and South Island!  One of the most pleasurable ways to travel between the two is the Interislander Ferry.  This has been described as one of this most beautiful ferry rides in the world and during the 92 kilometre journey you will see the scenic Wellington harbour, the wide expanse of the Cook Straight and the majesty of Queen Charlotte Sound.   For more info please visit www.interislander.co.nz

#89    Davenport and North Head – Auckland
This settlement is a charming seaside village which is only a 12 minute ferry ride from Auckland Central.  It is an area steeped in Maori (peoples indigenous to New Zealand) history.  Originally a pa (or fortified village) there are still remnants of that occupation today.  Evidence of European settlement is also evident with colonial buildings, gun placements and defense forts – which are available to explore!  Davenport offers a relaxing alternative to the hustle and bustle of the CBD.  Please visit www.devonport.co.nz

#88    Sky Tower and SkyJump – Auckland
No trip to Auckland is complete without a visit to the iconic Sky Tower in the heart of the CBD.  This is the 12th tallest tower in the world standing at 328 metres and the opportunity to jump off at 192 metres is available to the brave!  For those less adventurous there is a viewing platform and a selection of restaurants to sample in the tower including the ‘Orbit’; which rotates slowly giving a 360deg unsurpassed view of Auckland to a distance of almost 80 kilometres.  Well worth a visit www.skycityauckland.co.nz

#87    Spa and Wellbeing Retreat – Nelson
Nelson is located at the top of the South Island and boasts the most sunshine hours in the country.  The spectacular combination of pristine beaches and second to none native forest and park in the Nelson/Tasman area are an ideal setting for exclusive spas and retreats.  On offer at these rejuvenation centres are massage, beauty, facials and exclusive treatments as well as aromatherapy, reflexology, herbal treatments, iridology and reiki.  Visit http://www.tourism.net.nz/region/nelson/accommodation/resorts-and-health-spas today.

#86    Rere Rock Slide – Gisborne
This is a naturally occurring waterslide with a difference!  Until now recently a closely guarded secret with the locals; this is 100 metres of descending rock face on a gradient safe enough to glide down using a boogie board or similar.  You get a smooth ride due to the water flowing from the Rere Waterfall nearby.  This is also a nice picnic and photography spot.  See www.eventfinder.co.nz/venue/rere-rockslide-gisborne

#85    Waitangi Treaty Grounds – Waitangi, Northland
The Treaty of Waitangi is an important document that signified our emergence as a nation.  Signed February 6 (now our National Day), 1840 between the British Colonialists and a selection of Maori tribes its implementation was the beginning of New Zealand as we know it today.  In beautiful sub-tropical Northland you can visit this historical site and be wowed by the intense cultural experience on display at Waitangi.  For more information please see www.waitangi.net.nz

#84    Whakarewarewa Village– Rotorua
Within this area there is a living, breathing Maori village which is totally sustained using geo thermal properties– and this all can be observed while visiting the tourist mecca that is Rotorua.   Throughout the day, local residents act as village guides, providing a tour with a difference - from relaying village stories, to cooking meals (try corn boiled to perfection in the bubbling champagne pool) and using the natural landscape for bathing, washing clothes and predicting weather patterns.  Please visit www.whakarewarewa.com for more information.

#83    Takaka Hill and Remeka Track – Nelson
The Abel Tasman National Park may be New Zealand’s smallest national park but it has many delights including the mountain bikers magnet of Takaka Hill.  Within this area is Harwood’s Hole – a vertical hole in the hill which is the steepest straight drop in the country.  As you descend the hill on foot or mountain bike the beauty of Golden Bay will be laid before you before arriving at the township of Takaka at the bottom.  For serious mountain biking see www.marblemountainclassic.org.nz/mountainbikerace.php.

#82    Raglan – Waikato
The seaside township of Raglan in the North Island has stunning beaches and excellent surf to lure surfers from New Zealand and around the globe.  Also known for having bohemian community and an ‘alternative’ lifestyle, the locals will no doubt make visitors welcome in their laidback, friendly community.  With stunning views of the Tasman Sea, Raglan is a must visit if you are in the area.  Please visit www.raglan.net.nz for more info.

#81    War Memorial Museum – Auckland
Situated on the tip of an extinct volcano in the Auckland Domain, the War Memorial Museum is history with a difference.  The museum regularly exhibits internationally renowned works and has interactive displays and shows for all ages.  Containing unique flora and fauna, extensive information on New Zealand’s colonial development and more than 2,000 native Maori artefact’, the War Memorial Museum is one of Auckland’s treasures.

That concludes this edition of the top 100 places to visit in New Zealand – keep an eye out for our next instalment!

With thanks to the AA Travel website.

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