Opinion - Comparing Christchurch to other NZ cities

[Suezy]

Comparing Chch to other NZ cities
DAVID KILLICK

OPINION: How does our place stack up against other New Zealand cities? Overseas organisations often rank cities for liveability. Auckland and Wellington rate well, but Christchurch usually gets overlooked. So let's decide for ourselves. What makes a city a great place to live?

Urban areas are growing everywhere. In the 1970s, 70 per cent of the world's population was rural. Forecasters believe that in 2050, 70 per cent will be living in cities. They could be wrong; technology makes it possible to live and work in many places.

It seems absurd that so many of New Zealand's businesses and head offices - and therefore jobs - should be located in Auckland or Wellington.

Housing and affordability affect all New Zealand cities. Our average incomes have failed to match rising costs, so many people have gone overseas.

Other criteria for ranking cities include safety, entertainment facilities, education, accessibility, and climate. Let's also throw in architecture.

Auckland

A multi-ethnic city, there is a vast discrepancy in wealth, from billionaires' mansions to beautiful old villas to depressed and crime- ridden state housing areas.

Houses are super-expensive but people don't get paid more for living in Auckland.

Debate now centres on more sprawl versus innovative housing options.

Transport is a huge headache, the legacy of decades of neglect. Aucklanders drive everywhere and unsurprisingly roads get clogged. Better public transport is essential.

The Sky Tower dominates the city skyline but it's hard to point to any spectacular architecture.

Old buildings in some parts look grotty. Viaduct Basin is interesting, but overall the waterfront is disappointing, way behind Sydney's. The Cloud, a leftover from the Rugby World Cup, occupies a prime spot but stood empty last time we visited.

The harbour and beaches are attractive. Takapuna beach and Devonport on the North Shore offer a pleasant lifestyle but are pricey.

Auckland never really experiences winter, but uninsulated houses will still feel cold and damp.

Wellington

On a clear sunny day the harbour capital sparkles. The transformation of the waterfront compared with 30 years ago is amazing. A walkway, artworks and cafes provide a delightful experience for visitors and locals.

Te Papa, the Michael Fowler Centre (named after a former architect-mayor), the Cake Tin, and the Beehive are distinctive. Many older buildings were torn down - controversially - in the 1970s, but many remain, imparting a sense of unease to Christchurch visitors who are only too aware of what would happen in an earthq

Houses are expensive. Wellington has an excellent bus service; its train service has been left to run down but at least it has one. Roads are narrow and windy but drivers take more care.

Christchurch

Down but definitely not out, our city could shine again - if we get it right. Big trees, gardens, parks, and the Port Hills are among the city's most pleasant features, but we tend to take the Garden City moniker for granted.

Sprawl is a concern and we need alternatives to more 1950s-style subdivisions. Traffic congestion has grown; better public transport and cycle networks are needed.

Architecturally, some historic buildings remain but the challenge is to build new ones that are attractive and not merely look-alike slabs you could find anywhere. Climate is extremely variable. In winter, too many houses are cold and damp, leading to health problems.

Dunedin

Built around a deep harbour and surrounded by hills, this southern city is reminiscent of Wellington, only colder.

It has some of the country's best historic architecture, such as the splendid railway station. Fine old commercial buildings are worth preserving and strengthening.

The city also has many fine old houses, but student flats are notorious for being freezing, which is probably why "scarfies" still like setting fire to sofas.

The city's covered stadium has been controversial. The university remains in the heart of town, keeping it vibrant.

Smaller cities

Fly or drive in to Nelson, Invercargill or Palmerston North and these cities' compact size makes a pleasant surprise.

It's much easier to get around. Housing is generally, but not always, more affordable. Jobs are scarcer. Entertainment can be more varied than you think.

Nelson enjoys a beautiful climate and coastal setting as well as some of the country's best arts and crafts, food, and wine. No wonder so many people retire there, but more people have caught on - including overseas immigrants in the mid 2000s, driving house prices up. Subdivisions are expanding.

Invercargill has a fascinating historic walkway near the airport, and boasts historic architecture.

Surrounded by cafes and restaurants and restored buildings, Palmerston North's Square puts Christchurch's to shame.

Te Anau's sensitive landscaping puts people first.

It's not really a battle between towns; everywhere has its pros and cons. Christchurch has the chance to learn from the best and avoid the worst elements of modern urban design.

Have your say on architecture, design, and the Christchurch rebuild. Email letters@press.co.nz.

-       © Fairfax NZ

Copied frpm The Press

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/8447225/Comparing-Chch-to-other-NZ-cities

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[Weather Display]

what is written about auckland is typical one eyed cantrabrian

[David]

Agreed... I really don't understand why there is so much anti Auckland sentiment, seems to be more so the further south you go

[JennyLeez]

and dare I ask.
Which part of Auckland's summary is incorrect?

[deepsouthweather]

I thought what's said sums up Auckland pretty well, For me nice to visit every once in a while but far to busy, couldn't and wouldn't live there.

[Deano]

Where do I start...
Not born in Auckland, but sleepy Te Puke, my family made Auckland our city of choice in 1968.
Why, because this is where most of the opportunities are for work.
Sure it's crowded, but what larger city in the world isn't?
Auckland has 1/3 of the population of NZ in the space of Christchurch. Could you imagine what CHCH would be like with 1.4 million people.
If Wellington hadn't had the trains paid for by the government, where would that be transport wise?
In the late 1960's, the mayor Sir Dove-Myer Robinson wanted to build a rapid transit system to deal with increasing population. He was told by other officials that he was crazy, Auckland would never need it.
40 odd years later, do we ever need it.
If you ever plan to visit Auckland, don't just go to Queen St or the harbour & say"Is this it?"
Plan to go to some of the regional areas.
West Auckland has some lovely views of the city, the Waitakere Ranges are close by with plenty of forest walks for young & old. Great surf beaches.
East Auckland has plenty of beaches with views of the harbour & historic Howick is worth a visit.
The Northern beach suburbs are something again with plenty of shopping for the ladies away from Queen St & Newmarket hussle.
Sure Auckland has areas that are run down & not safe to walk at night, but what city does not.
There are parts of Sydney not far from "The Rocks" I wouldn't drive thru let alone walk.

If you think Auckland is busy, you will hate some of the other cities around the world.

Just my 2c worth.

[Suezy]

This is not my opinion but was written by a David  Killick and bet he has had a lot of return emails regrding this.  I only copied it out of the Press this morning.
I have been to Auckland a number of times and loved it and was also born in Wellington and moved down here in 1952 with my parents.

[ato2]

Robbie was a good bloke- back in the early 50's he was instrumental in setting up oxidation ponds to deal with sewerage instead of letting it go out into the sea

[Rwood]

not[/b] my opinion but was written by a David  Killick and bet he has had a lot of return emails regrding this.  I only copied it out of the Press this morning.
I have been to Auckland a number of times and loved it and was also born in Wellington and moved down here in 1952 with my parents.

Every person's opinion is different. What you think of a place is inextricably linked to your personal/family/general life experiences there. I have found things to like and dislike in the places I've lived in, but have no really strong opinions. On a pure weather front, I have never lived in my "ideal" climate (which doesn't exist in this country, but some places are for me a "reasonable try"), but am a realist.

Purely as a moderate sized city, I find Wellington has a lot to offer. The views available on walks on/in its green zones are something I never tire of.

A long time ago I lived in Chicago for a year. It was only lateish in that time that exploring other parts more extensively brought home the fact that it was a collection of largely unrelated neighbourhoods, with considerable contrasts in wealth and human comfort. Many people would spend much of their lives with no experience of what it was like to live in a place in a different category.

[ato2]

This is not my opinion but was written by a David  Killick and bet he has had a lot of return emails regrding this.  I only copied it out of the Press this morning.
I have been to Auckland a number of times and loved it and was also born in Wellington and moved down here in 1952 with my parents.

Every person's opinion is different. What you think of a place is inextricably linked to your personal/family/general life experiences there. I have found things to like and dislike in the places I've lived in, but have no really strong opinions. On a pure weather front, I have never lived in my "ideal" climate (which doesn't exist in this country, but some places are for me a "reasonable try"), but am a realist.

Purely as a moderate sized city, I find Wellington has a lot to offer. The views available on walks on/in its green zones are something I never tire of.

A long time ago I lived in Chicago for a year. It was only lateish in that time that exploring other parts more extensively brought home the fact that it was a collection of largely unrelated neighbourhoods, with considerable contrasts in wealth and human comfort. Many people would spend much of their lives with no experience of what it was like to live in a place in a different category.
[/quote]
I spent 3 happy years in Auckland in the 70's and now have family members living in Titirangi. I would have to say the Auckland I visit now seems to be a directionless collection of population centres in search of a city.
Last April I walked the length of Queen Street and was shocked to find it to be largely a collection of shoe box sized shops and tacky looking food places.It is a shame- considering the large Asian population, I had expected the buzz and excitement and interesting things that one finds in Asian towns. But it appears inert, boring and not worth a visit. To me, Queen Street looks like it  has finally died.
Out west and other spots there are some beautiful walks and scenery but it does take some effort to get there with the traffic issue.

[Weather Display]

you cant just visit queen street and then make a judgement call

[ato2]

I didn't just visit Queen Street. I go to Auckland regularly and travel throughout a good amount of it. Auckland has major problems and it is a shame that it has come that. With its magnificent setting, the place and people of Auckland deserve better than what has been done.

[Weather Display]

come one guys
what are you talking about?
you should not be trying to compare to your home town
there is no comparisons to be made
Auckland scores very well on international scoring for most liveable city

[ato2]

Agreed... I really don't understand why there is so much anti Auckland sentiment, seems to be more so the further south you go
[/quote]
Well I can advance a couple of reasons.
One of the reasons, is TVNZ. Over the years it has gone out of its way to ridicule, pass over, or ignore the country south of the Bombay Hills. It isn't TVNZ, it is TV AK- condescending, preening and arrogant and so intent on projecting its regional, Auckland outlook.

That will get less, as conventional TV goes down the gurgler and we get our TV  delivery via other means.

Another reason is that we can see Auckland has very serious problems- caused by rapid population growth, long term infrastructure neglect and a lack of political will.

At this rate, in a decade or three, Auckland will have close to 50% of the country's people. This concentration of population in one city in a country is unusual. I can think of Iceland, (economic basket case) and city states such as Singapore(which has a modern, 21st century infrastructure already).

Auckland is having great difficulties right now with finding the needed housing at any kind of reasonable price. How much worse it will be as the place grows further.
If it grows upwards, with high rise, many people will end up living a lifestyle almost alien to that of the rest of the country.

Many immigrants have come to NZ for a better life and to improve their lot for the children. Good on them- we need them.

Just a shame that if they all are jammed into Auckland then find that  the traditional quality of life NZ offered- with its relaxed living and open spaces- be denied them and other, locally born Aucklanders.

Also, it does the rest of the country no favours to have a Auckland that is struggling. We too, want your city to do well.

[deepsouthweather]

To be fair its not just TVNZ guilty of creating negative opinions on Auckland from people who live south of the Bombays. I know I get sick of hearing about Auckland issues from others like WeatherWatch, Herald, Newstalk ZB etc who seem to deem it necessary to put alot of emphisis on Auckland.  Just think about the coverage on 2 recent relatively minor earthquakes. Reasonably rare I know but still! I can only begin to imagine what Wellingtonians & Cantabrians must have been thinking.

[Suezy]

Thank you guys for a great discussion - been appreciated on everyones views.
They say that Christchurch will be a vibrant city once again - but when.  It has been two and a half  years since our 7.1 quake  which damaged a lot of buildings in town and two years since the Port Hills quake that completely ruined our city and after 12000 odd quakes we are not much further forward. Yes the demolition is still taking place and a lot of business have moved to the suburbs and seemed fairly content there and with their landlords signing them up with a 10 year lease - it will be sometime before they move back again if at all.
When one building can be taken down in 7.7 seconds and two years later they are still taking them down with machinery - I ask you.  For the expense of it it would have been cheaper in the long run and money wise to have used TNT in the first place and things might have been moving again a lot sooner.  Also the continual discussions and negotiations that are going on seems to be going nowhere at this stage.  The Govt has the right to aquire the land but they are still talking to the owners over this one.
Not to mention that they are talking about the Convention centre and the covred stadium going up but no mention of the poor people still living in their damaged homes and with winter coming up again it really must be a big disappointment to them that they will still be sitting in their damaged and cold homes still.  What with the Insurance problems and EQC it must be awful.
So maybe one day we will be a vibrant city again but think I will be pushing up daisies and wont see it unfortunately and have lived here since 1952 and thoroughly enjoyed it prior to the quakes.

[Suezy]

The news tonight was not good advertising for Auckland either.  With the young people getting drunk - spewing everywhere etc and 180 young people ended up in the Auckland Hospital that were all drunk as well,
I did read somewhere a few months back where the tourists  were being advised to avoid Queen Street particularly of a night time and can now see why.
That is really bad for our biggest city where they get that sort of advertising which is what I thought at the time of hearing the tourists being warned and then to see that on TV - not good.
They have one big problem by the sound of it and are trying to combat it by providing "safe" areas .