Three things we’ve learnt about Australia, Canada and New Zealand

The Lonely Planet is in love with Auckland – are you?

The following industry and job-related news has popped up this week from Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

Australia – the mining boom has helped other industries too

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RSA) has announced that the mining boom has helped to cut unemployment in regions well outside of the mining epicentres, like Queensland and West Australia. As well as the demand for workers in the mining sector having a positive effect on the national employment rate, the RSA reckons that improvements to the industrial relations system means the Australian workforce is more flexible than it was 20 years ago.

Did you know half of Australia’s 68 regions have an unemployment rate of below five per cent (and only three had an unemployment rate of above eight per cent)? The Age has the full story.

Canada – mining still strong

In the face of some global economic gloom, Canada’s miners remain optimistic – especially gold mining. Since September, seven of the top 10 best performing mining stocks are gold ones. See more at the Globe and Mail.

New Zealand – Auckland is number 1 (and 2)

Auckland, New Zealand’s city of sails, has been described as ‘geographically blessed’ with a ‘vibrant Polynesian culture’ by the Lonely Planet. It fell in love with Auckland, especially its access to two oceans, and this was reflected in its list of the country’s top 20 experiences. At the top of this list was Auckland Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf, followed by urban Auckland – beating tourist favourites Queenstown, Milford Sound, Waitomo Caves and the Bay of Islands.

“Auckland isn’t your average metropolis,” the guide says. “It’s regularly rated one of the world’s most liveable cities, and while it’s never going to challenge NYC or London in the excitement stakes, it’s blessed with good beaches, flanked by wine regions and has a large enough population to support a thriving dining, drinking and live-music scene. Cultural festivals are celebrated with gusto in this ethnically diverse city, which has the distinction of having the world’s largest Pacific Island population.”

Well, if it’s good enough for the Lonely Planet…