Dunedin Declared New Zealand’s Top City for Quality of Life

Ōtepoti Dunedin has been named the leading city for quality of life in New Zealand, as revealed in the latest biennial survey involving more than 6,000 residents across eight major cities. Despite facing challenges such as the coldest climate among the surveyed cities and a median adult income at just 80% of the national average, Dunedin achieved remarkable results. The survey, conducted in 2024, found that 83% of respondents from Dunedin rated their quality of life as good to extremely good, surpassing the 77% average across all participating urban areas.

The findings have garnered support from local advocates, including Dr Ian Griffin, director of the Tūhura Otago Museum. Dr Griffin, who has lived in Dunedin for the past twelve years after relocating from Oxford in the United Kingdom, expressed his admiration for the city. “I must have spent the best part of 500 to 700 nights looking at auroras,” he remarked, highlighting the city’s natural beauty. He emphasized factors contributing to Dunedin’s appeal, such as its affordable housing, stunning landscapes, abundant wildlife, strong education system, and the presence of a prominent university.

Students play a crucial role in the city’s vibrancy, according to Dr Griffin. “You notice it when they’re gone. From November to February, the place gets quieter,” he noted. The city’s rich cultural fabric is evident in its various institutions, including the Tūhura Otago Museum, the Hocken Collections, Toitū Otago Settlers Museum, and the Dunedin Public Art Gallery. “For a city of 100,000 people, we’ve got an incredibly rich cultural scene,” he stated.

The survey results further illustrate Dunedin’s strengths in digital connectivity. Winning the Gigatown competition in 2014 allowed Dunedin to access one gigabit-per-second broadband, enhancing its appeal for businesses and remote work. Dr Griffin commented, “If you are starting a company or want to work remotely, then Dunedin’s the place to be.”

This connectivity was prominently showcased when Animation Research, a Dunedin-based company founded by Sir Ian Taylor, produced live graphics for the 2025 Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia. “The whole world was watching our graphics as Rory McIlroy won that amazing event, and we were doing it from Dunedin,” Taylor said. He attributed his success to the local university and television industry’s connections, stating, “I don’t think I could have started this business anywhere else but Dunedin.”

Lifestyle factors also contribute significantly to the city’s attractiveness. “Even though people think of it being cold and dark, yesterday the beach was full of people surfing. Waves were breaking right up to the waterfront where I was sitting having pizza with other people,” Taylor remarked.

Former Dunedin mayor Aaron Hawkins acknowledged the city’s accessibility, vibrant food and drink culture, and strong local pride. He cautioned against complacency, emphasizing the importance of maintaining community infrastructure such as skate parks, swimming pools, and public art. “With anything like this, you can never rest on your laurels,” Hawkins stated. He noted that these amenities are essential yet vulnerable during economic downturns, urging the community to remain mindful of their long-term sustainability.

While the survey results were generally positive, it also highlighted areas for improvement. Approximately 6% of Dunedin respondents reported a poor to extremely poor quality of life, slightly below the overall average of 8%. “We need to remind ourselves that while we are comfortable, there are more people that aren’t,” Taylor concluded.

Overall, the survey included 6,194 participants from various cities, including Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Hutt City, Porirua, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, with 581 respondents from Dunedin. The results not only celebrate Dunedin’s strengths but also highlight the ongoing need for community attention and development.