Auckland Gets Guided

Auckland is one of nine new international locations to earn a Wallpaper City Guide. Released in November, the Auckland guide features Wallpaper‘s customary mix of criticisms and accolades, as well as the odd backhanded compliment. The introduction states that while Auckland may be “young and isolated”, its “potential is huge”. The guide goes on to praise the city’s natural beauty, boutique shops, and excellent coffee and restaurants, many of which were selected by Auckland-based fashion designer, Mala Brajkovic. On the downside, Auckland is declared to be lacking in iconic civic monuments and its citizens are deemed arrogant. NZ tourist operators see Auckland’s inclusion in the Wallpaper series as overwhelmingly positive, and view the criticism as constructive. “We are a city that is starting to find its identity and starting to grow,” said Simon Milne, director of the NZ Tourism Research Institute in the Sunday Star Times. The Wallpaper design and lifestyle magazine is read in more than 70 countries.