[scotsfamily]

Hi all, (thanks for reply to our previous post)
Now we do know NZ is seasonal and jumpers may be needed at certain times of the year, but for those in the know, where is the best place to live if you want the maximum sun?
Bear in mind we (as in Scotland) had the worst summer last year and we hate the cold. Mind you I suppose we should apply for Ausie instead, (i hear you say) but we’ve heard such nice things about NZ, the people, scenery to die for and a laid back way of life, beaches look fab too.
So for those out there what’s a full season like where you are?

Thanks

David & Janice

[shakyle2906]

The Hawkes Bay area is one of the best places to live, we have been here just over 10mths, coming from Wales originally, and love it here.

It has a lot of sunshine, ok you have your bad days too, but all round, there are more sunny ones thatn bad ones. You can wake up in the winter with it being icy and can see snow on the mountains, then by lunchtime, it is warmish and sun out...........

The landscape here is out of this world too, Hawkes Bay had absolutely loads of vineyards.


HTH

Sharon

[stevied20]

With NZ being such a long country covering quite a few degrees of longitude, it covers quite a range of weather from North to South, Some of the weather in the north island, especially the Northland can be quite tropical, and is definitely the place to go for the sun, but on the south island it does cool down.
From what i've discovered the climate can be similiar to the UK but the weather can change quickly and the saying "four seasons in one day" ring very true in NZ.

Best wishes

Steve

[benandclare]

Nelson and Blenheim in the north of The Mainland are 2 of the most sunniest spots :yes

[thezorbster]

Nelson and Blenheim in the north of The Mainland are 2 of the most sunniest spots :yes

I'd agree with that. We flew into Christchurch in Winter from Singapore, very quickly changed into winter woolies, hats, scarves, fleeces the lot. Drove over to Nelson area where we discarded coats for the rest of the winter. It does occasionally get frosty here and very occasionally has snow but generally very quickly warms up and is lovely and sunny. Also has the benefit of beautiful snowy mountains within an easy drive for skiing, sledging etc. Nelson and Blenheim vie for the sunniest spot in NZ each year. It's pretty dry too as all the rain gets dumped on the Western ranges before arriving here.

[Sam B]

The winter in Cambridge only seemed to last 2 months and was nothing to worry about, and the summer has been going on for ages and it's roasting! LOVE the weather here - lemon trees, cicadas, this is what we emigrated for!

[pinkpiggy]

I concur with Sam B. We're in Hamilton where we are now having an official drought, together with sprinkler ban.

Where you locate to may, to a certain extent, depend on your occupation.

BTW we moved from Dunfermline whereabouts in Scotland are you from?

[Milliemoo]

Hi there,

We moved from Edinburgh to Auckland. I think the weather here is great and the summer has been fantastic! Despite what people say/think it doesn't rain that much, well not compared to Scotland but when it does rain, it chucks it down. I can think of only a couple of times that the rain lasted for more than 3 days in a row over the last year.

We live in a modern flat, so it's insulated, but we never had any heating on over the winter and I think I wore my 'winter coat' twice, and that was going out for dinner on both occasions.

It can get very nippy if there's a southerly blowing full pelt though. Thankfully that doesn't happen too often.

So I recommend Auckland, especially Devonport :D

Milliemoo

[b&k]

There's a good map of sunshine hours here (http://www.niwa.cri.nz/edu/resources/climate/overview)

[scotsfamily]

I concur with Sam B. We're in Hamilton where we are now having an official drought, together with sprinkler ban.

Where you locate to may, to a certain extent, depend on your occupation.

BTW we moved from Dunfermline whereabouts in Scotland are you from?

Were in Cumbernauld brrrr its freezin.

[scotsfamily]

Thanks for all the replys, sounds great in the north and south islands, as I'm after an IT job we will most likely move round the Aukland area. I may need to come over for to get a job offer as were only on 125 points with no job offer, (if my HND had been classed a 7 rather than a 6 then I'd have been able to get on the "most in demand skills list", 15 years of experience not enough for them doh! but we wont give up.