Report shows Aucklanders live longer and prosper more

Aucklanders are not only richer than other New Zealanders, but the latest figures show that they live longer.

On average, babies born in Auckland between 2000 and 2002 could expect to live 77.5 years for boys and 82.1 years for girls - longer than anywhere else in the country for boys and just a fraction under Canterbury's record of 82.2 years for girls.

The Social Report also shows that Aucklanders earned an average of $17.40 an hour last year, compared with a national average of $16.10.

The Queen City was best or second-best on 12 of the 27 indicators for which regional breakdowns are given.

It boasts by far the biggest proportion of women on local councils, 46 per cent against a national average of 30 per cent.

It comes second only to Wellington for the lowest proportion in poverty (18.2 per cent), the fewest workplace injury claims (119 for every 1000 fulltime workers), the highest share of people aged 18 to 64 with at least upper-secondary education (81.2 per cent) and the highest number with internet access in 2001 (46.3 per cent).

Its drinking water is cleaner than anywhere except Nelson measured by either e-coli or cryptosporidium, and its smoking rate (19.2 per cent) is lower than anywhere except Marlborough.

Aucklanders from non-Maori ethnic groups with a first language other than English are more likely to speak their own language (59 per cent) than in any other region except Canterbury (60.4 per cent).

However, Auckland scores among the worst two regions on: the share of the working-age population in paid work (71.2 per cent), 3- and 4-year-olds in preschool (88.5 per cent), household overcrowding (14.5 per cent), council election turnout (42 per cent) and the proportion of children aged 5 to 17 doing at least 2 1/2 hours of sport or other physical activity in the past week (64 per cent).

At the other end of the spectrum, Gisborne scores among the worst two regions on 11 of the 27 measures: median incomes ($15 an hour), unemployment, life expectancy, suicide, the share of people with at least upper-secondary education, overcrowding, workplace injuries, phone access (87 per cent), internet access in 2001 (27.5 per cent) and smoking (36 per cent).

Ministry of Social Development social outcomes policy manager Conal Smith said no single region came out well or badly on all measures.

"Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch and maybe Nelson tend to do a little bit better ... but on some indicators they are in the worst category."