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Covid-19 has shaken up the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) annual ranking of most liveable cities, propelling Auckland to first place. New Zealand's most-populous city, home to 1.7 million Kiwis, beat out major cosmopolitan centres such as Tokyo and Vienna, the champion of the last … View moreCovid-19 has shaken up the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) annual ranking of most liveable cities, propelling Auckland to first place. New Zealand's most-populous city, home to 1.7 million Kiwis, beat out major cosmopolitan centres such as Tokyo and Vienna, the champion of the last poll in 2019. Wellington also rocketed up the list, with "The Coolest Little Capital in the World" sitting at number four on the list, released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
So what does Auckland have that the rest don't?
As it turns out, the question answered by the poll is what doesn't it have?
The answer: Covid.
Other cities saw their ratings tumble as the effect of the pandemic dramatically curtailed the quality of life for their residents. Lockdowns imposed around the world lowered cities' scores in the survey's "culture and environment" category. For example, Vienna crashed out of the top 10 entirely, coming in 12th as New Zealand, Australia and Japan cities fared best. The Austrian capital had led the list since 2018 and for years ran neck and neck with Melbourne at the top of the survey of 140 urban centres. Lockdowns imposed around the world lowered cities' scores in the survey's "culture and environment" category. The four other categories are stability, healthcare, education and infrastructure. New Zealand's elimination of Covid-19 within its borders through lockdown measures helped by its geographic isolation, however, gave its cities a big boost. "New Zealand's tough lockdown allowed their society to reopen and enabled citizens of cities like Auckland and Wellington to enjoy a lifestyle that looked similar to pre-pandemic life," the EIU said in a statement. The EIU generally does not make the full rankings public. The last time Auckland was in the top 10 was in 2017, when it came eighth, a position Melbourne shared with Geneva this year. Vienna fell to 12th. Illustrating New Zealand's advantage this year, Wellington came fourth behind Osaka, which rose two spots to second place, and Adelaide, which leapfrogged its compatriots Sydney and Melbourne to third place from 10th. "The Covid-19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll on global liveability," the EIU said. "Cities across the world are now much less liveable than they were before the pandemic began, and we've seen that regions such as Europe have been hit particularly hard." The European Union struggled to get its vaccination campaign off the ground and many member states, including Austria, imposed more lockdowns than they had hoped to, hurting their cities' scores in the measure of 'culture and environment'. The four other categories assessed are stability, healthcare, education and infrastructure. So Aucklanders, next time you're sitting in traffic, waiting for a bus that never turns up or dodging window washers at intersections, remember that you don't have it so bad.
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Enjoy 25 years of local knowledge paired with extreme attention to detail on Active Adventures unmatched, all-inclusive trips exploring the most beautiful landscapes of Aotearoa.
Experience the rugged beauty of the West Coast on the 5-day ‘Gecko’ adventure or fall into the rhythm of nature … View moreEnjoy 25 years of local knowledge paired with extreme attention to detail on Active Adventures unmatched, all-inclusive trips exploring the most beautiful landscapes of Aotearoa.
Experience the rugged beauty of the West Coast on the 5-day ‘Gecko’ adventure or fall into the rhythm of nature as you sample three Great Walks and spend the night on Doubtful Sound on the 5-day ‘Takahe’ trip. All those new adventures have been designed for Kiwis and tested by them.
Save $200 by quoting STUFF200 before June 30 or visit activeadventures.com to find your escape.
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Can you commit a few hours per week for the weeks leading up to Daffodil Day for our street appeal on Friday 27th August and Saturday 28th August? A current driver’s license and a car/vehicle will be needed as you will be required to drive around on Daffodil Day to ensure our collectors have … View moreCan you commit a few hours per week for the weeks leading up to Daffodil Day for our street appeal on Friday 27th August and Saturday 28th August? A current driver’s license and a car/vehicle will be needed as you will be required to drive around on Daffodil Day to ensure our collectors have their high visibility vests, eftpos machines, buckets and receive lots of support. If you are confident adapting to new software systems this will be a bonus! Our aim is to reduce the incidence and impact of cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand. We are here to help and support people with cancer, and their whanau. In the first instance and for more detailed information, please email your interest including your best contact number to Sudha Bhana Manager Volunteering sbhana@akcansoc.org.nz
With winter well and truly here now we urgently need your support with second-hand winter clothing you would like to let go for good.
If you have got some pre-loved winter clothing you are happy to donate, please drop them off at our Red Cross Shop at 433-435 Great North Road in Henderson during … View moreWith winter well and truly here now we urgently need your support with second-hand winter clothing you would like to let go for good.
If you have got some pre-loved winter clothing you are happy to donate, please drop them off at our Red Cross Shop at 433-435 Great North Road in Henderson during our trading hours:
Mon - Sat: 9-5pm
Sun: 10-4pm
Many thanks!
Help us house families with hospitalised children. Join the fight to fund a night.
The eight-hour strike by nurses at all public hospitals and DHB facilities will go ahead this week after the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) voted to reject a second offer. NZNO lead advocate David Wait said the second DHB offer did not significantly change and did not address "serious … View moreThe eight-hour strike by nurses at all public hospitals and DHB facilities will go ahead this week after the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) voted to reject a second offer. NZNO lead advocate David Wait said the second DHB offer did not significantly change and did not address "serious nursing workforce issues" and "pay rates that do not attract people into the profession or retain the people we have".
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Nurses around the country will walk off the job in protest from 11am to 7pm on Wednesday.
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It's the second DHB offer that the union has turned down, which Wait said still fails to address the issues raised and wasn't significantly different to the previous offer. "Members are facing serious nursing workforce issues, with pay rates that do not attract people into the profession or retain the people we have, and staffing levels which stretch them to breaking point, putting them and their patients at risk."
District Health Boards spokesperson Dale Oliff said their main priority now is to ensure patient safety and maintain essential services during the strike. "DHBs will try to minimise disruption with some non-acute and elective procedures deferred were necessary to reduce demand on services and reduce patient numbers as much as possible." Processes are underway to contact patients impacted by the strike, while she said those needing urgent medical attention shouldn’t delay seeking help.
The union’s decision to reject the offer was prompted by the inclusion of a lump sum payment of $4000 which was a part payment on back pay that's owed to members through the pay equity claim that's expected to be settled at the end of the year. Wait said members know that these lump sums don't actually lift pay rates or improve the long-term issues that the health system faces and find it unfair that they'd be asked to wait out the pay equity process. "It's heart breaking that nurses and other health workers feel so undervalued that they would choose industrial action. Nobody wants this and the best way for future strikes to be avoided would be through a fair and decent offer." After the strike is over, negotiations will continue between NZNO and the DHBs which are likely to include mediation or facilitation, according to Oliff. "We anticipate bargaining will continue to focus on pay, with our commitment to the wellbeing package, protecting the gains from the last negotiations and DHBs assurance to safe staffing." Further strike action still hasn't been ruled out by NZNO and its 30,000 members. The union is calling for a "profession-enhancing offer" from the DHBs, that "truly recognises the contribution nursing staff make", according to Wait.
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Kia ora Auckland,
Should the proposed marina on Waiheke Island get the green light?
Construction on Waiheke Island's Kennedy Point marina is to continue after an out of court settlement was made between campaigners and developers.
Four years of court proceedings have been withdrawn by… View moreKia ora Auckland,
Should the proposed marina on Waiheke Island get the green light?
Construction on Waiheke Island's Kennedy Point marina is to continue after an out of court settlement was made between campaigners and developers.
Four years of court proceedings have been withdrawn by Save Kennedy Point (SKP), after Kennedy Point Boatharbour Limited said they would put the welfare of a little blue penguin colony front of mind.
As part of the settlement, the developers have agreed to forgo all recent costs orders made against SKP and to not seek further costs from them.
SKP was facing bills of almost $250,000 sought by the developers and Auckland Council.
In more recent developments, the group has announced they will hīkoi to Parliament to deliver a petition asking Environment Minister David Parker take the case back to the Environment Court.
The petition, which already has 8500 signatures, was started by Uri o Ngāri Pāoa, who are occupying the beach at Kennedy Point.
What do you think about the proposal? Share your comments below and don't forget to type NFP if you don't want them featured in your local community paper.
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