Unlike their cousins across the Tasman, New Zealand workers have seen strong wage growth, with the biggest pay rise in a decade recently recorded. According to Statistics New Zealand, average hourly earnings have increased 4% over the past year to $32.37 an hour, which is the biggest annual percentage increase since June 2009. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate also fell in the June quarter from 4.2% to 3.9%, with the under-utilisation rate also dropping from 11.3% to 11%.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) recently cut the official cash rate (OCR) to a historic low of 1% in an effort to stimulate the economy. The domestic economy is slowing down, with the RBNZ doing what it can to inspire people to spend money or invest in more productive investments. As the benchmark for all interest rates charged by banks and other lenders, the OCR is undeniably significant. Despite the historic nature of the current lows, however, homeowners and potential first-home buyers should only expect modest savings.

The world is becoming increasingly allergic to common foods, with children in particular likely to develop new allergies. When analysed on a global basis, the spread of allergies is far from even, with Western nations increasing at a much faster rate and specific countries much worse than others. While no-one knows for sure why allergy rates are increasing, a number of theories are being examined to explain the rising allergy crisis.

The world of work is changing all the time, with long careers less likely in the modern world and microwork opportunities coming to the foreground. Microwork is a series of small tasks that combine together to create a single unified project. Microworkers are normally employed in the technology sector, as a kind of virtual assembly line that flows between skill sets and across continents. While microworking can lead to a number of opportunities, what it offers in agility and flexibility it often lacks in stability and job security. 

Everyone wants to live in a location where life is easy to manage and stress levels are as low as possible. With most people in the Western world living in cities, politicians and town planners are constantly striving to create the most liveable conditions possible.  From transportation and accommodation through to work and school opportunities, there are lots of things to take into consideration when measuring liveability. Let's take a look at two leading ways to measure quality of life and see what it means for the future of city life.