Dunedin has topped the polls in the latest quality of life survey, with 88% of Dunedin residents surveyed rating their overall quality of life good or extremely good.
That compared with an 81% average across seven cities polled. Wellington scored the next highest at 87%.
Dunedin city also came out on top in terms of physical exercise.
While it was down from 57% recorded in 2014, 53% of Dunedin respondents reported physical activity five or more days a week, well above the national average of 45%.
On the negative side of the ledger, drugs and alcohol proved a concern for residents and Dunedin showed the most concern of New Zealand cities.
A full 80% perceived drugs and alcohol to be ''a big problem'' or ''a bit of a problem'' in their area.
That was slightly down from 81% in 2014, but much higher than the national average of 60%.
The 2016 Quality of Life survey is a local government research project, a partnership between Auckland Council, Hamilton, Wellington, Porirua, Hutt, Christchurch and Dunedin City Councils and the Waikato and Wellington Regional Councils.
The survey was first conducted in 2003, was repeated in 2004, and has been undertaken every two years since.
Colmar Brunton was commissioned to undertake the 2016 survey on behalf of the participating councils and surveyed 507 residents in Dunedin.
The survey showed Dunedin respondents' most common reasons for rating their quality of life as good or extremely good were physical and mental health and wellbeing (37%), relationships (33%), and financial wellbeing (33%).
Poor health and wellbeing was one major reason Dunedin respondents provided negative responses about quality of life.
Quality of life had increased for 35% of respondents since 2014, while 13% said it had got worse.
Pride in the ''look and feel'' of the city had increased, up from 67% in 2014 to 72% this year.
Housing affordability was another strong point, and 69% agreed or strongly agreed their housing costs were affordable
This figure was much higher than other cities.
However 22% said their house had a problem with damp or mould, compared with 26% nationally.
Mayor Dave Cull said it was pleasing to see perceptions improving in areas which had been a focus of the council, including heritage building restoration.
The survey showed 60% of residents rated the city's heritage buildings as the main reason for their sense of pride in the look and feel of the central city.
Damp or mould was a ''significant issue'', though, which fell disproportionately on the shoulders of the most vulnerable members of society.
Mr Cull said funding to the Cosy Homes Charitable Trust and funding for the warm Dunedin targeted rate programme was helping.
