8. North Shore, Auckland
Bustling Auckland can be a wonderful place to raise children because families have so many choices when it comes to their kids: education, healthcare, entertainment, sports – it’s all here. There is a surprisingly large range of free activities, like Ambury Farm, the Auckland Museum, some incredible playgrounds and the Auckland Libraries’ many school holiday events.
Auckland has twice been rated the third best city in the world for liveability and the University of Auckland is New Zealand’s highest-ranked university. The North Shore is among the best (although also the most expensive) areas for families, due to its lower crime rate and lovely beaches.