Media release
January 10, 2007

Auckland’s traffic; Wellington’s wind; Christchurch’s suburban malls – but that’s as bad as it gets

Auckland’s rush hour traffic, Wellington’s notorious wind and Christchurch’s suburban malls have been slated in Lonely Planet’s Cities Book: But that’s as bad as it gets.

The three New Zealand cities are ranked among the top 200 cities in the world in the journey book through the best cities in the world.

City of Sails, Tamaki Makaurau in Maori, is listed as having great harbour views, beaches, Maori culture, Ponsonby, rugby multi-cultural population and latte bowls.

A defining experience in Auckland is ‘’brunching on K Rd before a harbour sail, catching a ferry over to Devonport to fossick among the art galleries’’.

``Cycling up Takapuna beach; dining in Ponsonby and gearing up for a night of clubbing along Queen St…this is truly a relaxed city.’’

The book says Auckland imported Carol Spencer, Tim and Neil Finn and Scribe but exported marmite, Russell Crower, Lucy Lawless and the America’s Cup.

Wellington’s defining experience includes a stroll through the Botanic Gardens, riding the cable car, coffee downtown, windsurfing on the harbour and drinking later down Courtney Place.

“You don’t have to be a film star to enjoy Wellywood – the bohemian vibe, great café scene and plentiful outdoor pursuits make it as attractive to civilians as it is to famous hobbits.’’

Wellington has more cafes per capita than New York City and imported architect Ian Athfield and director Peter Jackson but let go Jane Campion and Katharine Mansfield.

The Arts Centre, Sumner beach, the trams, the Avon River and Hagley Park and New Regent St get a plug in Christchurch.

“The typical Christchurchian is a rabid supporter of the provincial rugby team wanting to get on in life and business without too much interference from the pollies (politicians) in Wellington or those self-serving Aucklanders (inter-city rivalry is fierce). Locals are appreciative of just how important tourism is to their city and are finally beginning to enjoy the food introduced to them from their Southeast Asian neighbours.’’

Christchurch’s 1980s architecture gets a black mark but so do Wellington’s ‘mad bus drivers’ and Auckland‘s buses, which are ‘suffering from privatisation’.

ENDS

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