“New Zealand cities vary widely, not only in geography but also in urban planning and transport decision-making. There are consequences for population health, greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution,” says Professor Alistair Woodward from the University of Auckland.
Wellington was crowned the fittest city as it had the highest levels of physical activity for transport rather than just recreation. Every city showed interesting patterns of fitness. Christchurch had the highest number of annual cycle trips. Dunedin scored best on light vehicle emissions, and Tauranga had the fewest transport-related injuries. Hamilton came in third place for trips by public transport and for air quality. Auckland came in second for public transport use but demonstrated the most to gain if it adopted the recommendations in the Fittest City report.
The science behind AIA Vitality
AIA Vitality is a global, science-backed programme which helps people remove barriers to better health and stay motivated.
Nick Stanhope, AIA New Zealand CEO, says, “Ten percent of all deaths worldwide are caused by physical inactivity. Cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes account for 90% of premature deaths in New Zealand. But the good news is that healthier living need not be difficult or unattainable. By making small changes, we can make a world of difference,” says Mr Stanhope. If you’d like to know if AIA Vitality is right for you, get in touch with your Imak adviser to learn more.