Wellingtonians remain among New Zealand’s most satisfied urban residents when it comes to their own quality of life, but their view of the city itself is considerably less positive.
The 2026 Quality of Life Survey found 80 percent of Wellington respondents rated their personal quality of life positively.
That was the second-highest result among the seven participating cities, behind Dunedin at 83 percent, and above the seven-city average of 76 percent.
However, Wellington recorded the lowest satisfaction with the look and feel of the city, with just 39 percent of respondents rating it positively.
The survey also found perceptions that Wellington had become a worse place to live remained high, while cost of living pressures were the main reason given by people who said their quality of life had declined.
Despite those concerns, Wellington performed strongly in several areas.
Residents reported comparatively positive experiences of the city’s walkability, public transport, access to green spaces, culture and inclusion.
Wellington Mayor Andrew Little said the results reflected the economic challenges facing the city, continuing cost of living pressures and declining trust and confidence in institutions.
“It is clear that there is much the council and civic leaders must change to lift residents’ perceptions and restore trust and confidence,” Little said.
He said Wellington nevertheless retained significant strengths, including its compact nature, natural environment, culture, hospitality, education sector, skilled workforce and growing technology sector.
The latest results also continue a decline seen in previous Quality of Life surveys, both in Wellingtonians’ overall quality of life and in perceptions of the city as a place to live.
The Quality of Life Survey is conducted every two years and is a partnership between Wellington, Porirua, Hutt City, Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga and Dunedin councils.
The 2026 survey questioned 5,725 people aged 18 and over across the seven cities.
Fieldwork was carried out by Ipsos New Zealand between 2 March and 22 May 2026.
