Auckland's population is growing we all know that, right? But many people don't realise we are losing tens of thousands of Aucklanders to the provinces. Helen Laurent looks at why many of us are quitting the city for other regions
Auckland, much-maligned seat of the Jafa (just another "friendly" Aucklander), is home to a third of New Zealand's people. It boasts that it is the City of Sails' and sales, with the country's biggest shopping malls. There's the beautiful Hauraki Gulf right out front, SkyTower, numerous beaches and some of the country's finest schools. It is also notorious for too much traffic, not enough public transport, high house prices and, sadly, crime. But it is still home, sweet home, to 1.3 million people. Many Aucklanders may be surprised to learn that over five years thousands (about the same as the number of people who live in Whangarei) of their fellow city-dwellers have put down their cappuccinos, said goodbye to traffic jams and moved to other parts of the country. Auckland is losing more people to other provinces than it's gaining. According to the 2006 Census, the Auckland region lost a greater number of residents than any other region over five years. Between 2001 and 2006, 75,963 people moved away, while only 59,301 moved in from other regions.
TANIA AND ANDREW FARRELL are two such escapees. The couple, both 27, moved from Howick to Queenstown in January last year, just months after marrying in Auckland Domain. They now own a home beside a lake and work in the hospitality industry. The couple say the price of housing and food is similar to Auckland, as well as the night life. "There is a big drinking culture here," says Mrs Farrell. "The bars are always busy, some have open fires and a really nice atmosphere, especially when you've been up the mountain all day." Sporty people, the Farrells were keen for a more "outdoorsy" lifestyle in which they could ski and snowboard all day. "You don't meet any people who aren't involved in a sport or outdoor activity here," adds Mrs Farrell. That need to spend more time in the great outdoors is what drives many Aucklanders to smaller towns.
ALYN AND JUSTINE DUNCAN packed in their corporate jobs and fastpaced lives to settle on a Hawkes Bay lifestyle block which they share with a sheep, chickens, rabbits and ducks, plus native birds and fruit trees. "We have a lovely back yard with redwoods and oaks, and an awesome view of the Ruahine Ranges from down the back, which is especially great when the snow falls," says Mrs Duncan, who is pregnant with the couple's first child. Along with more room to move comes a slower pace of life.
KAMA AND BRADLEY AMBROSE moved their two children, Niko, 13, and Molly, 5, to Taranaki last July to enjoy shorter working hours and to escape traffic jams. They believe "The Naki" is the best place to bring up their family. "In Auckland, we were both working huge hours. The biggest change here is that I don't have to work so we can spend a lot more time with the kids," says Mrs Ambrose. "There are facilities and sports clubs, and more things for them to do outside. As a young family, you have to move out of town to get anywhere. It's just too expensive otherwise."
SO, IS THIS EXODUS having an effect on Auckland? Not really. It still has New Zealand's fastest growing population. Numbers swelled by 12.4 per cent between 2001 and 2006, mainly due to immigration. Dr Ward Friesen, senior lecturer in geography, geology and environmental science at the University of Auckland, says with so many international migrants coming in, those people moving out of the city are not really of huge concern. "I don't see anything wrong with it and if it slows down the growth of Auckland a bit, then maybe it's a good thing," says Dr Friesen. "It's also a good thing if it spreads the development and economic benefit to other parts of New Zealand." Auckland Regional Council monitors internal migration statistics and encourages people who work in high demand sectors to move here. "From the last census, we know there were more people who left than arrived, and we would be interested to know why, but it is not so much of a concern as Auckland's population continues to grow. And, who knows, we might get some of them back," says spokeswoman Alison Reid. Dr Friesen has researched internal migration for the regional council. He says people nearing retirement age and those looking for a change of lifestyle are the most likely to exit Auckland. Younger people in tertiary education or looking for their first job make up the majority of new Aucklanders. Census data also shows Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Northland are where most former Aucklanders head.
NOELINE TAYLOR, a retiree, shifted to Hamilton with her daughter three years ago and stayed on when her daughter returned to Auckland recently. Her first reaction to the Waikato was a typically Auckland one. "The first winter I was here, I couldn't believe the fogs. I'd never seen anything so thick," she says. An active woman, she finds Hamilton easy to get around. "If I joined the clubs that I have here when I was in Auckland, I wouldn't be able to go because of the bus fares. The public transport here is a lot better and cheaper." She admits to missing the concerts and events Auckland offers but says she visits the big smoke regularly. However, the grass is not always greener elsewhere. Despite new-found lifestyles, many ex-Aucklanders still miss their former home. "We miss being close to family and friends and being close to the sea and the beach," says Mr Farrell. "Five years ago, the shops were really limited in Queenstown, only a JayJays and The Warehouse. Now, there are quite a few more shops, but nowhere near the variety there is in Auckland," adds Mrs Farrell. Shopping and special events must be factored in when living outside a big city. "If there is something we want to do or see in Auckland, like a concert, we can factor that in with a visit," says Mrs Duncan. "The only thing is we don't get as many movies at the theatres down here, but we watch most things on DVD."
AUCKLANDERS TAKE some things for granted. Mr Farrell says of Queenstown: "There needs to be more hospital facilities. Most people go to Invercargill for that and there is only one high school." No-one interviewed by The Aucklander harbours ill-feeling to the city they have left. "We are only an hour in a plane away. We come back to visit every four months for special events like weddings or birthdays," explains Mrs Farrell. Mr Duncan sums it up best. "I love Auckland. If I were to live in any big city in the world, I would choose Auckland. I think it's wonderful, but it's just no longer for me."
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