An Air New Zealand Plane Flies Over Mount Victoria
IN PHOTO: An Air New Zealand plane flies over houses in Mount Victoria as it approaches Wellington airport, October 7, 2011. Reuters/Marcos Brindicci

A new national survey about the quality of life in New Zealand has revealed that one-fifth of Kiwis cannot afford to meet their daily needs. According to the results of the Quality of Life survey, 82 percent of the respondents from Auckland, Wellington, Porirua, Hutt City, Dunedin and Christchurch had a positive outlook about the quality of their lives. Twenty-seven percent said their lives had improved in the past 12 months.

As reported in TVNZ, the survey also found 20 percent of the respondents said they didn't have enough money to make ends meet like food, housing, clothing and other basic necessities, 36 percent think they have "just enough" money, while 40 percent thought they have more. Three-fourth of the respondents felt it was important to feel a sense of belonging in the community, and 53 percent actually felt the sense of community.

Local residents cited dangerous driving including the driving under the influence of alcohol as their biggest concern in the community. Half of the Christchurch residents felt proud of their city because of the opportunities for rebuilding after the devastating earthquakes.

Although New Zealand has not made it to Lonely Planet's Top 10 lists for 2015, the country was mentioned for its friendliness towards gays. New Zealand was also noted for the light show in the Waitomo Caves, sheep shearing and the city's Coast to Coast walkway.

In the Lonely Planet's list of 10 most gay-friendly places in the world, New Zealand was ranked second for its "brilliant network of gay and lesbian friendly homestays." The country has successfully legalised same-sex marriage in 2013 and actively promoted same-sex marriage as part of tourism. Same-sex couples, mostly from Australia, had flocked to New Zealand to get legally married. Denmark beat New Zealand as the most gay-friendly country.

Since 2015 is the Chinese year of the sheep, Lonely Planet mentioned that New Zealand was a great opportunity for travellers to get "up close and personal" with the sheep. The popular travel guide cited Queenstown where people can pet, feed and shear sheep and see the annual Gold Shears championship in Masterton.