Why Auckland, New Zealand? Three Words: Location, Location, Location

The preceding installment of our blog series WEX Worldwide took us to snowy Fargo, North Dakota. Don’t get us wrong; there’s a lot to love about Fargo! But we thought that for this virtual voyage, somewhere warmer might be a welcome respite from wintry weather—and beautiful Auckland, New Zealand, came readily to mind. We were excited to talk to our WEX teammates in Auckland about what it’s like to work in this fast-paced, sun-and-fun-filled climate.

You may think of it primarily as Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson’s favorite stomping grounds, but did you know that Auckland has been ranked as the third best city in the world for quality of life? That’s according to Mercer’s Quality of Living Index, which looks at some 400 cities for its annual list. Mercer cited the top contributing factors related to the city’s stellar rating as its “natural environment and subtropical climate, stable political and social environment, and good medical and health services.” Impressive. Meanwhile, the Economist Intelligence Unit ranked Auckland 12th in its most recent ratings (the first time it’s missed the top 10 over the past 10 years).

The largest and most diverse city in New Zealand

Auckland is a place where multiple cultures have come together to create an urban environment known for a rich heritage of Polynesian and European culture. These cultures have mingled and melded over the centuries, imbuing the city with an unmistakably fun-loving and generous spirit. In fact, our WEX office in Auckland described the city in three words: “Busy, bold and friendly.”

Whether they singled out particular spots like the Conservatory, Dr. Rudi’s or the Viaduct, the WEX Auckland team all seemed to come to a consensus that the city’s North Wharf has something for everyone. That includes great restaurants with “amazing vibes” and “stunning views” as well as opportunities for a nice stroll.

Our teammates in Auckland also love the atmosphere of the WEX office. There, a giant chalk wall encourages the team to playfully express their artistic creativity—just one indication of the cool vibe that permeates the space.

Auckland’s endless outdoors adventures

Most WEXers note that there are a plethora of open-air food festivals and markets to enjoy in Auckland. And so it seems that even in the heart of the city things to do tend to center on outdoor activities. That should come as no surprise in an urban center where gorgeous beaches, scenic hiking trails, tropical holiday isles—or even volcanic islands—are never more than a half-hour away.

Its demonstrably high quality of life is a draw for businesses to locate, relocate or grow in the city, and it was certainly a consideration for WEX when the decision was made to establish our presence here. What makes the location even more attractive to WEX is the simple fact that Auckland is an increasingly thriving business hub that offers strategic proximity to burgeoning markets in the Pacific. With all that Auckland has going for it, we expect to hear great things coming out of this WEX outpost.

Find out for yourself what our Auckland office has to offer by looking at the open positions on our careers page.

Also be sure to check out profiles on our offices in Fargo, London, Melbourne, and Nashville.