New Plymouth top place to live
12 Nov 2008
New Zealand's west coast city of New Plymouth has been named one of best places in the world to live in an environment-based competition endorsed by the United Nations.
The Taranaki city beat 50 challenges from 17 countries to take three major awards in the International Awards for Liveable Communities held in China. It's the first time in the world that one community has won three such awards.
Community issues
The awards look at communities around the world doing the most to address issues ranging from pollution and conservation to poor housing.
Entrants were judged on enhancing the landscape, heritage management, environmental sensitivity, community sustainability, healthy lifestyles and future planning.
New Plymouth was named the world's most liveable city in the 20,001 - 75,000 population category, and the city's coastal walkway was named the world's best environmentally sustainable project for 2008.
The city's third award was given for community sustainability.
Future planning
"This community had one of the strongest submissions we have seen this year - with particular strengths in the way it is planning for its future and ensuring it remains one of the world's most liveable communities," said judge Steve Palframan, of the United Kingdom.
Fellow judge Claudette Savaria, of Canada, equally praised New Plymouth.
"This is a vibrant, thriving community with high levels of volunteerism, a highly engaged and consulted community, and highly innovative social solutions," she said.
Community spirit
New Plymouth Mayor Peter Tennent, who led a delegation to China for the event, said he was delighted with the success.
"This is about the entire community - it's about saying 'we live somewhere special and we want to look after it'. For a little old city in New Zealand to win this is something pretty special," Mr Tennent said.
Other finalists
New Plymouth won the city award ahead of other finalists including Montreux in Switzerland, Chrudim and Kladno in the Czech Republic, Zhujiajiao in China, Newark-on-Trent in England, and Egar in Hungary.
A total of 12 entries were considered for the best environmentally sustainable project, and New Plymouth's coastal walkway was voted ahead of the makeover of a park in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Top NZ town award
Last month New Plymouth was named New Zealand's Top Town in a national magazine poll.
North & South magazine rated New Plymouth ahead of Christchurch in the South Island. Auckland and Wellington, the North Island's two largest cities, tied for third place.
Winning reasons for New Plymouth's Top Town status were climate and natural environment, as well as strong economy, facilities, affordable housing and lifestyle.
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