The Capital City ranks fifth in the eco-city category.

Learning, doing business and enjoying nature, Wellington is the place to be!

Auckland has the world's fourth-best quality of living, according to a new ranking dominated by European cities.
But in another ranking for eco-cities, Wellington beats out Auckland, ranking fifth worldwide.

In both categories, New Zealand cities sit at the top of the Asia Pacific, ahead of Australian contenders.

The 2010 Mercer Worldwide Quality of Living Survey was released today, ranking cities for overall quality of living based on political, socio-economic and environmental criteria as well as sanitisation, education and transport. The company also compiled a list of top eco-cities.

Spokeswoman Georgina Harley said in a statement to media that New Zealand cities had been recognised for having "quality housing close to the city", "political stability" and "transport".
Ms Harley also praised New Zealand cities' "wide selection of restaurants".

Auckland ranked fourth while Wellington was judged 12th worldwide for quality of living.

Among eco-cities, Wellington was fifth while Auckland was deemed 13th.
An eco-city optimised its use of renewable energy sources and generated the lowest possible quantity of pollution.

Global ranking
Eco-city ranking:
1: Calgary, Canada
2: Honolulu, United States
3=: Ottawa, Canada
3=: Helsinki, Finland
5: Wellington
6: Minneapolis, United States
7: Adelaide, Australia
8: Copenhagen, Denmark
9=: Kobe, Japan
9=: Oslo, Norway
9=: Stockholm, Sweden
12: Perth, Australia
13: Auckland

Quality of life:
1: Vienna, Austria
2: Zurich, Switzerland
3: Geneva, Switzerland
4=: Auckland
4=: Vancouver, Canada
6: Dusseldorf, Germany
7=: Frankfurt, Germany
7=: Munich, Germany
10: Sydney, Australia
11: Copenhagen, Denmark
12: Wellington

Asia Pacific
Quality of living:
1: Auckland (4th overall)
2: Sydney (10th)
3: Wellington (12th)
4: Melbourne (18th)
5: Perth (21st)

Eco-city ranking:
1: Wellington (5th overall)
2: Adelaide (7th)
3: Kobe (9th)
4: Perth (12th)
5: Auckland (13th)

Resources: NZ Herald, article by Michael Dickison