KEY POINTS:
Life in New Zealand's big cities is getting better with better wages, decent job prospects, good housing and ready access to health and education services.
But there is a growing gap between the haves and have-nots and some cities are beginning to feel the strain of booming populations.
And many complain that graffiti, litter and noise continue to be the bane of city life.
The Quality of Life project, released yesterday, paints a comprehensive picture of life in the country's 12 biggest cities.
Nine out of 10 city-dwellers say they have an overall positive quality of life. "This report shows that urban New Zealand is essentially a great place to live, work and play," said Jim Harland, chief executive of Dunedin City Council and Quality of Life Project sponsor.
"City residents feel that they enjoy a good quality of life, are happy and satisfied with their lives and report that they are in good health.
"On the whole, they have a sense of pride in their city and consider that their cities offer them a culturally rich and diverse arts scene."
The report started with six cities in 1999 and has been expanded to 12 this year, providing data including health, safety, housing, economic development and the environment.
It is a project run by the local authorities in Rodney, North Shore, Waitakere, Auckland, Manukau, Hamilton, Tauranga, Porirua, Hutt, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
The 2007 report shows the vast majority are happy and feel they enjoy and good quality of life.
They enjoy clean air and water, except Christchurch and Auckland, and have ready access to employment, housing and services such as health and education. The economy is strong, median personal and household incomes have increased, and there has been an increase in jobs and a drop in unemployment.
Aspects of safety in the cities have also improved. The rate of serious and fatal road crashes has fallen; there has been a decline in the rate of workplace accidents and the overall rate of crime has fallen.
The report also highlights some problems. The gap between those with a better or poorer quality of life is widening in some cities with Maori and Pacific Island people carrying the burden of socioeconomic disadvantage. The property boom has forced a downturn in home ownership - and again Maori and Pacific Islands people are least likely to own their homes.
The report also says local authorities are struggling to cope with the rapidly growing population.
"Our cities make up more than half of New Zealand's population and are continuing to grow rapidly," Mr Harland said. "Such fast growth places pressure on city infrastructure. Traffic congestion, some instances of poor air and water quality, graffiti, vandalism, litter and noise are all issues that need to be addressed.
The report, which will help shape future city planning, includes recommendations that councils:
* Promote economic sustainability and plan for an inclusive, innovative economy that reduces poverty, deprivation, disparities and the effects of these on city residents.
* Make homes more affordable.
* Work to minimise noise, graffiti, air quality and beach and stream water quality.
* Improve access to key services, in particular doctors.
* Focus on making sure people feel safe, particularly at night.
* Promote actions that enhance and sustain the environment, such as increasing the use of alternatives to private motor vehicles.
Auckland Mayor John Banks said the city had seen the highest number of new jobs and businesses and enjoyed a median personal incomes growth of 28 per cent.
"There's a lot to be proud of, but there are also challenges that Auckland can work on."
