Auckland one of the best international cities

Media release

Newmarket Business Association

Tuesday, 28 April 2009

No surprises Auckland one of the best international cities

"Overall Auckland remains a positive and energised city largely because its long-term prospects remain so bright, despite all the doom and gloom," claims an Auckland business advocate.

Cameron Brewer of the Newmarket Business Association was commenting on Mercer's 2009 Worldwide Quality of Living Survey. According to the survey of 215 cities, Auckland was ranked fourth-equal with Vancouver, rising from fifth last year. Wellington was ranked 12th.

"The huge population growth Auckland continues to experience gives the place a certain underlying confidence. Given current statistical trends, the Auckland region is set to reach two million by about 2030. According to 2006 census figures the region is growing by more than the size of Hamilton or Dunedin every five years. That brings enormous challenges, but it also brings opportunity and optimism."

Mr Brewer says even in the sixth quarter of an economic recession, the Newmarket area continues to rapidly expand. He say over one billion dollars will be spent in Newmarket over the next five years on private sector redevelopments and public infrastructural upgrades.

 "It is just staggering what is going on around in Auckland to accommodate the ongoing population growth. In Newmarket alone over 50 new shops are set to open in the coming months, including a dozen more fashion stores in a retail redevelopment on Osborne Street and 42 general shops on the bottom floor of a new apartment complex overlooking the new Newmarket rail station which is currently under construction.

"People feel so good about living in Auckland because so much is happening and the best years are still to come," said Cameron Brewer.

ends

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