Mobissimo

Wallpaper* magazine is the style arbiter for the cosmopolitan set - hip and cool are the only things that matter to them around the world.  Long has Wallpaper* been the leader and standard for listing the world cities and most up to date restaurants, hotels, galleries, nightlife, shopping, etc.  Auckland, NZ however, does not make the cut.

An international travel guide has taken a crack at Auckland and Aucklanders, saying the city is far from world class and locals are renowned for their arrogance.

The Wallpaper City Guide, aimed at the design- conscious traveller, says the city has no iconic civic buildings and its hotels are overly air- conditioned, badly decorated and a "far cry from the sophisticated design options" across the Tasman.

But, says the guide, Auckland is becoming more akin to its "grander, more glamorous cousin, Sydney".

It's not all bad news - the compact city guide also highlights Auckland's natural beauty, boutique shops, excellent coffee and restaurants. Auckland may be "young and isolated", reads the introduction, "but its potential is huge".