[marybelle]

Does anyone have first hand knowledge of Kaitaia in the Far North.

I have read all there is to read on the web but am now looking for people who have lived or stayed there or have family and friends who have.

I know it is a small town rather detatched from major cities but we are happy with that, its one of the reasons we are going there.

So come on guys, don't be shy....

Marybelle

[Potato]

Well my first hand experience of Kaitaia is pretty limited, but I have been there.
Was there in January 2007. From memory, small, pleasant enough town. It has a Pak n' Save (fantastic :D ). It has good access to the west coast beaches (Ahipara being a classic), also to the east coast beaches (Doubtless Bay is beautiful and not far away), also to the Bay of Islands and Whangaroa, both of which are further afield but still near enough.
You are also only a little way away from the wonderful Hokianga Harbour, and also the Kauri Forests.
There are hills in the area, and probably some nice enough walking you can do there.

I think it's in a great location if you enjoy the beachy lifestyle. I'm not sure how far Whangarei is, but probably about 2 1/2 hours or so. Dargaville maybe about the same.

I don't know much about what there is to do in the town itself unfortunately. A large part of the Far North history is to do with Kauri.

Oh, there's also Manganui fairly nearby which is supposed to have NZ's best fish and chips.

It's also New Zealand's warmest town. You can expect daytime highs of about 25C in the warmest month, and 16C in the coldest month (it's in "the winterless north"). It does get a reasonable amount of rain though, and is fairly muggy.

Hopefully this information is of some help, but bear in mind I never lived there, nor did I stay for too long.

[Carey]

Stayed on an organic farm for 3 weeks or so but 20 years ago; loved it then, seemed miles away from anywhere, lots of hard working people eeking a living out of orchards etc. Not sure how much it's changed?

[Susan&Dennis]

I drove up there not too long ago to look at a house. Thought I wanted relative isolation, but it really did seem--for me--too far out/away, whatever. However, it seems to be a place where you can find reasonably priced properties, and it is pretty & undeveloped. Side note: a friend who works for NZ Customs says that there is a fair amount of crime in and about the town...I gathered, drug-related. But, you know, things are relative, aren't they? Nothing like spending your own time there. Good luck! Susan

[IanW99]

...
Oh, there's also Manganui fairly nearby which is supposed to have NZ's best fish and chips.
...


Shame on you, that honour is now with Wellington (Lower Hutt) :)

Ian

[Potato]

Shame on you, that honour is now with Wellington (Lower Hutt) :)

Ian

Wow, which one?! I don't head out there that often but might be worth it for fish n chips!

[IanW99]

Wow, which one?! I don't head out there that often but might be worth it for fish n chips!

So Fine Seafoods – regional winner and grand national winner
2 Tennyson Ave
Avalon
Lower Hutt
Wellington

See http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0811/S00113.htm

Ian

[marybelle]

Thanks for all the replies folks!

Its nice to hear positive things said about the Far north. Most of the stuff we have read previously has been quite negative about crime and stuff (not a dig at you Susan&Dennis) everything is relative and the smaller the town the more you tend to notice other peoples indiscretions.

Susan&Dennis...if you don't mind me asking, where abouts in Northland did you end up?

We are quite happy with being fairly remote and small, we have lived on an Island which was only 2miles x 3 miles.
The whole family loves the beach and we do alot of hiking.

Potato...when you say its muggy, would it be a good idea to invest in a dehumidifier?

Carey...I like the idea of having all the locally produced fruit and veg and hubby is very impressed that they produce their own cold pressed extra virgin olive oil!

As for the great Fish and Chip debate I will withold judgement until I have tasted them and let you know.

Thanks again everyone :nice1

Anyone else care to add anything?

[Susan&Dennis]

I didn't take it as a dig, Marybelle. The main thing is to get plenty of information and figure out what you want to do with it--hence, all of our two centses' worth! Dennis & I have wound up in the Dargaville area--that's where my job is, and it's close enough to Whangarei Hospital for him. That west coast is wild & stunning...beaches are about 10 minutes from D'ville..... I just generally like the Northland, and I'm not crazy about cities. We'll probably end up moving outside the little town.....one never knows, does one? Cheers! S

[Potato]

Potato...when you say its muggy, would it be a good idea to invest in a dehumidifier?


I'd say anywhere in NZ it's worth having a dehumidifier- especially in winter.

[marybelle]

I'd say anywhere in NZ it's worth having a dehumidifier- especially in winter.

This is what I thought, but nice to get a first hand response. :clap

Marybelle

[BadlyDrawnGirl]

Hello! My first experience with rural life was in the Far North so I feel a particular affinity for the region even though not all my experiences were that great. :laugh We lived in Paihia over the winter (!!! I know, definitely not the recommended season in which to visit Paihia) so to us, Kaitaia was like a big city and Whangarei - well, that was like a teeming metropolis! So we did visit Kaitaia a few times out of sheer boredom.

I have to be honest, there does not seem to be a whole lot going on up there, and not to harp on the whole crime issue, but I have a lot of anecdotal evidence that crime is very much an issue in the area. It is mostly drug-related, as weed growing is a big business up there. I'm not saying that the whole town is a write-off, but there were a few times when we did not feel totally safe walking back to our hostel from the pub at night. Of course, I think to some extent crime is an issue all over Northland, just because law enforcement up there tends to leave people to their own devices. Again, I'm not trying to totally bash the North, I actually have really fond memories of it! - but when we were living there, we were a young childless couple with a lot of "friends in high places" if you know what I mean. I think it would be a much different experience if we had children or if we had to rely on the local school system.

However that said, the Far North has a lot of things going for it. You'll be living in a place that looks like time's stood still for the last two thousand years! Really, the drive up SH 1 to Kaitaia is one of the most harrowing but beautiful rides you'll ever take (but remember to buckle your seatbelt, haha). I think for your purposes you might be better off choosing a smaller town somewhere other than Kaitaia, so you get the best of both worlds. Dargaville is further south, but I've heard a lot of really good things about it. And of course you have Kerikeri, which is probably the most well-off town in the whole region.

Oh, and I totally second the recommendation of a dehumidifier. Damp is ESPECIALLY a problem in the Far North (I cannot emphasise this enough) especially in winter, and a dehumidifier will dramatically improve the comfort level of your home if you invest in a good one.

[Nick88]

I've spent the last 10 years in Northland, though I have only been to Kaitaia a couple of times.

Would I live there? No, not really. It is a very very long way from anywhere. It may not be all that far distance wise, but State Highway 1 is nothing like the M1. In many places it's like a B road in Wales, very windy and busier than you would think. This is the main thing that put us off, as I deliver our plants to Auckland and need to make this easy and relatively quick. We chose to live near Whangarei because we have ALOT more facilities (good schools, decent medical facilities) and the ability to get most things straight away. Kaitiaia just doesn't have these things. There is also a bit of a shortage of jobs up that way, so finding work will be much harder.

It is also very much a Maori area, and while I know that this will not necessarily what many people want to read, this has to be taken into consideration. Crime is higher, unemployment is higher, the prevalence of gangs and their organised crime (drugs and violence) is higher. Sad but true.

[WayneO]

Hi. The far north economy is kept afloat by localy growen drugs. Unemployment is above average but the beaches are beautiful. Whangarei and surrounding area has a good socieoeconomic mix with good beaches, reserves and forests. Take a look at www.trademe.co.nz for propertys, prices and a feel for the areas. Im at helena bay, northeast of Whangarei, and reasonably isolated.
Cheers.

[clairelouise]

Hi Marybelle,

Sorry sorry sorry to not get back to you sooner, PM'd you back.

xx

[BadlyDrawnGirl]

I think the prevailing thought is that eventually Kerikeri will become the real "centre" of the Far North even though the District seat is in Kaikohe (another area best avoided at all costs! although it does have a KFC, lol...) as more and more major businesses are gravitating to Kerikeri and its relatively upscale demographic. It's pretty much the only area in the Far North I would consider if I were looking to settle down.

[Nick88]

Far North District Council is indeed relocating to Kerikeri in the not too distant future. Kaikohe was chosen because it is geographically central, and I think the local economy needed the tax dollars.

Personally I think you would need to have a very good reason to base yourself a long way from Whangarei. It is where all of the economic activity happens.

[BadlyDrawnGirl]

Far North District Council is indeed relocating to Kerikeri in the not too distant future. Kaikohe was chosen because it is geographically central, and I think the local economy needed the tax dollars.
Although I would never live there, I do worry about what will happen to Kaikohe when the District Council pull out. There seemed to be very little else going for the place. :(

[senorparco]

Good luck in your search. I was raised in Kaitaia from 1981 and left in 2000 to go to uni and now in the UK. My family are all still there though. It is about a 2 hour drive to Whangarei and it used to be 4 hours to Auckland. The area does have a bad reputation for crime (preyed on by media) and it definitly lives up to the reputation of Cannibis County. It is however, the best place for beaches in New Zealand. East coast and west coast are so close that if the weather or seas are bad on one you can go to the other, plus the sea food! The bush and hills around are great for walking and I am yet to stumble into a "patch" as it is far easier to walk on the tracks.

The town itself has everything you will need day to day as it is the service centre for the wider rural population. If you want a range of choice though, especially clothing, most people save for a shopping trip to Whangarei or Auckland. The school was great with a heavy influence of Maori culture due to 50% of the population being Maori. I am Pakeha and did not find it rammed down my throat though. They also make good use of the outdoor activities that can be found for relatively little expense. Housing will definitly be cheaper than in the Bay of Islands/Kerikeri which is where the money is and Auckland immigrants who I had begun to notice like living in the north but not being part of Northland. Probably will create their own council as soon as they can.

The mill is the towns major employer and there are a lot of beneficiaries. It definitly is isolated but when I decend from the Mangamuka gorge my heart skips as I am home.

So for the "nicer" part of the Far North choose BoI. East coast areas tend to have sheltered bays and lots of retirees while the west coast areas have wilder seas and a poorer population.

[JandM]

Thanks for this helpful comment. :nice1 Welcome to the forum. :)

[CJ22]

Dump. Typical one-horse town. Highly dependent on one or two employers. Hoons used to be a big problem there, and the petty crime rate was quite high, though that's reduced now due to higher levels of employment.

No decent restaurants. One street. Basically a dead-end town built purely to service the local industries.

You couldn't pay me enough money to live there.

It's only advantage is it's on the road to Cape Reinga, and is 30 minutes drive from a very nice fish and chip shop.

[marybelle]

Senorparco

Thanks for the info. Its great to hear from someone who has lived there. We have jobs organised and we are looking forward to a slower pace of life. We are used to a laid back lifestyle from when we lived in rural Spain. We will have a car but plan to live and school our children in the town.

[clairelouise]

OH's job is based in Kaitaia and we've just put an offer in and been accepted on a house in Kaitaia, and, well.. we're happy!
We are based right now in lovely Coopers Beach, but only as that is the only furnished rental that was available for us at the time. Don't get me wrong, we love it here and it is probably visually better than Kaitaia, but for our circumstances, Kaitaia is right for us. The petty crime does seem to get bigged up by the media, OH is a police man and has a way easier life than he ever did in the Met. I suppose, in short we love the slower relaxed outdoorsy life, we don't need loads of shops and restaurants, DD is flourishing here, has loads of friends, we are only ever minutes from some perfect beaches and although we've only been here since November, the general concensus is that we'll stay.

Maybelle: PM'd you.

[BadlyDrawnGirl]

The petty crime does seem to get bigged up by the media, OH is a police man and has a way easier life than he ever did in the Met.
I had to laugh at this statement, although I mean absolutely no disrespect whatsoever (my OH is actually looking to join the NZ Police as well, and he went to several recruitment sessions in Northland while we were living in Paihia before it turned out we couldn't apply until we had PR).

I wouldn't at all be surprised if the cops in the Far North had it easier than Met police - I can count the number of times I saw a police car or a uniformed officer out on the streets of Northland over a six month period on one hand. :laugh During the winter, a lot of those small beach-y tourist towns empty out and get quite rough, what with all the bored alcoholics and weirdos coming out of the woodwork, and there used to be regular gang fights in broad daylight in the parking lot of the local supermarket...baseball bats, machetes, the whole nine yards. The police rarely bothered to show up, and when they did, they just sort of stood around looking bemused until some of the locals went in and broke it up.

Of course, I can understand the appeal the Far North has as well, since we did spend so long there (just horses for courses really), but their attitude towards law enforcement was pretty relaxed at best, from what I recall. ;)

[dylan]

Dump. Typical one-horse town. Highly dependent on one or two employers. Hoons used to be a big problem there, and the petty crime rate was quite high, though that's reduced now due to higher levels of employment.

No decent restaurants. One street. Basically a dead-end town built purely to service the local industries.

You couldn't pay me enough money to live there.

It's only advantage is it's on the road to Cape Reinga, and is 30 minutes drive from a very nice fish and chip shop.

You make such daming comments but never state what your personal experience of the town is.

It's horses for courses as I would not live in Auckland for love nor money from the various reports I have heard, but as I say thats horses for courses.

It is nice though to have comments from people who have long standing or current upto date experience of living in a town you are looking for information on, as there comments do hold more water, which when these requests are posted, is what people are looking for not just media hyped genralistic opinions from people who have very little or no hands on experience of a location.

Before people get upset with what I have said I am not having a dig at anyone who replyed to this particular thread its just that other threads similar to this have received replies containing total hearsay and without realising it has placed negative thoughts in peoples minds,which isn't fair really. These types of threads are looking for real opinions from real experience not T.V. or newspaper hype.

[clairelouise]

I wouldn't at all be surprised if the cops in the Far North had it easier than Met police - I can count the number of times I saw a police car or a uniformed officer out on the streets of Northland over a six month period on one hand. :laugh During the winter, a lot of those small beach-y tourist towns empty out and get quite rough, what with all the bored alcoholics and weirdos coming out of the woodwork, and there used to be regular gang fights in broad daylight in the parking lot of the local supermarket...baseball bats, machetes, the whole nine yards. The police rarely bothered to show up, and when they did, they just sort of stood around looking bemused until some of the locals went in and broke it up.


Again, no disrespect but if this was the case then why on earth would your OH even THINK about policing this area? OH was recruited from the UK to work in NZ and fair enough so far has only 3 month or so experience out here but in that time alone he has been constantly patrolling the streets on foot and in cars. I have personally seen the police doing this too. He feels that at least he can make a difference here if he needed to instead of being totally faceless in the Met and simply policing to fill a certain quota. The vast majority of call outs he has had to encounter are petty disputes, and thankfully not one of them has had a machete round the back of pak and save. Maybe it will change in winter. Maybe not. I think if you look hard enough there will always be good and bad in every town. But right now I feel safe here and, for us at least, so far so good.

[dylan]

Again, no disrespect but if this was the case then why on earth would your OH even THINK about policing this area? OH was recruited from the UK to work in NZ and fair enough so far has only 3 month or so experience out here but in that time alone he has been constantly patrolling the streets on foot and in cars. I have personally seen the police doing this too. He feels that at least he can make a difference here if he needed to instead of being totally faceless in the Met and simply policing to fill a certain quota. The vast majority of call outs he has had to encounter are petty disputes, and thankfully not one of them has had a machete round the back of pak and save. Maybe it will change in winter. Maybe not. I think if you look hard enough there will always be good and bad in every town. But right now I feel safe here and, for us at least, so far so good.


Couldn't say it better myself. Glad to hear the views of someone "living the dream". :nice1:yes

[clairelouise]

Thanks Dylan :)

[marybelle]

clairelouise

Go girl :clap:clap

ps. You have mail :p

[BadlyDrawnGirl]

Again, no disrespect but if this was the case then why on earth would your OH even THINK about policing this area?
He wasn't looking into specifically joining the police up north, it just happened that we were living in the area at the time, so the recruiters he contacted were from Northland. We were told he'd likely be posted to Auckland initially.

I think it's important to keep in mind that everyone will have different reactions to a location, and what might seem intolerable to some people could actually be a real selling point for someone else. I wasn't trying to be damning or snotty about it, I was just illustrating my personal experiences with the area (which, of course, was during the quiet winter period, so obviously things are a bit different in the summer). To me, that part of the Far North just did not have the sort of infrastructure that I would feel comfortable with, unlike other rural parts of the country. However, this will not be the case for everyone, and I'm glad you are enjoying your time up there so far. :)

[CJ22]

Yet another thread where those expressing a negative opinion are implicitly criticised. Always in the politest terms of course, and naturally the peanut gallery is all too ready to join in with the Ra-ras. If the OP asks for an honest opinion, then you do them a disservice by discouraging such an opinion.

Either take my opinion or leave it. Don't have a go for offering it when asked.

The desperation of some people on this forum to put a positive spin on everything that has anything to do with New Zealand is very odd.

[Georgebulldog]

Yet another thread where those expressing a negative opinion are implicitly criticised. Always in the politest terms of course, and naturally the peanut gallery is all too ready to join in with the Ra-ras. If the OP asks for an honest opinion, then you do them a disservice by discouraging such an opinion.

Either take my opinion or leave it. Don't have a go for offering it when asked.

The desperation of some people on this forum to put a positive spin on everything that has anything to do with New Zealand is very odd.

But the OP said
looking for people who have lived or stayed there or have family and friends who have
Do you have any of these, you start your post with Dump, you don't back it up with the fact you have lived or stayed there, sounds like you may have driven through it/ spent the day there, hardly able to comment I think, can't see people wanting a positive spin just the facts from people who have lived in the area & know something of it's life not someone who maybe went to the beach one day:exit

[dylan]

Yet another thread where those expressing a negative opinion are implicitly criticised. Always in the politest terms of course, and naturally the peanut gallery is all too ready to join in with the Ra-ras. If the OP asks for an honest opinion, then you do them a disservice by discouraging such an opinion.

Either take my opinion or leave it. Don't have a go for offering it when asked.

The desperation of some people on this forum to put a positive spin on everything that has anything to do with New Zealand is very odd.

:laugh:laugh:laugh:laugh

[dylan]

But the OP said
looking for people who have lived or stayed there or have family and friends who have
Do you have any of these, you start your post with Dump, you don't back it up with the fact you have lived or stayed there, sounds like you may have driven through it/ spent the day there, hardly able to comment I think, can't see people wanting a positive spin just the facts from people who have lived in the area & know something of it's life not someone who maybe went to the beach one day:exit


Sounds just right to me :clap:clap

[CJ22]

But the OP said
looking for people who have lived or stayed there or have family and friends who have
Do you have any of these, you start your post with Dump, you don't back it up with the fact you have lived or stayed there, sounds like you may have driven through it/ spent the day there, hardly able to comment I think, can't see people wanting a positive spin just the facts from people who have lived in the area & know something of it's life not someone who maybe went to the beach one day:exit

How long do I have to live there, before I'm qualified to declare it a hole? I grew up in Middlesbrough. Ha ha ha. Even the man who drove who drove the tour-bus said it was slightly improved over being a hole :laugh

[dylan]

I'm rather amaized at the blatent use of foul/bad language on a public forum!!!!

Just by replacing letters with "*" does not detract from this abusive and offensive language.

I'm glad I am able ( and many others too) to communicate without such profanity:)

[Georgebulldog]

How long do I have to live there, before I'm qualified to declare it a hole? I grew up in Middlesbrough. Ha ha ha. Even the man who drove who drove the tour-bus said it was slightly improved over being a hole :laugh

I would say a good six months. I just don't think your comments are helpful in what the OP wanted, sounds now like you did even less than spend a day there? Like everywhere it may some very nice places that you didn't get to see but you come in & damn the whole place, I just don't see how you can see that as being usuful in what is needed here

[Oregonkiwi]

It's only advantage is it's on the road to Cape Reinga, and is 30 minutes drive from a very nice fish and chip shop.
Also, it's close to a lot of beautiful beaches. But otherwise I have to agree with CJ22. I lived there for a year, hopefully that qualifies me to comment.

[dylan]

I lived there for a year, hopefully that qualifies me to comment.

I'm sure it does.

I would imagine the OP will welcome your comments both good and bad as no doubt you have both.

[clairelouise]

How long do I have to live there, before I'm qualified to declare it a hole? I grew up in Middlesbrough. Ha ha ha. Even the man who drove who drove the tour-bus said it was slightly improved over being a hole :laugh
There are probably some parts of the area you live in that some tour bus operator would state were slightly improved over being a "hole", but since I have never lived there I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable commenting on. Like I said before, everywhere has its good and bad parts, and maybe whether you like a place or not after moving all the way round the world has something to do with your expectations of a place? I was certainly I didn't want to live in Auckland, or Wellington, or any of the big towns/cities, although they are probably perfect for other people. OH worked in London in the UK, and we lived in Luton (not all that attractive, but packed with people and busy too and probably classed as a proper hole!) and so we wanted something entirely different. Rural was always our top choice and we love it so far. Our community is small and so maybe that is a big factor too, we also dont just hang about in town all the time. Being so close to both coasts means that we can be at one of plenty beaches within minutes.
It might not be perfect - fair enough. But in all honesty where is?

[CJ22]

I'm rather amaized at the blatent use of foul/bad language on a public forum!!!

Hahah you're a scream! Which internet have you been using up till now?


Just by replacing letters with "*" does not detract from this abusive and offensive language.

Neither does saying "with all due respect" at the start of a sentence mean you are actually showing respect.


I'm glad I am able ( and many others too) to communicate without such profanity

Show me another word that means exactly the same as ****hole, and I'll cheerfully use it. My language is precise, and you're being fustian. Think you can express your outrage without the use of rows of exclamation marks?

To the point: The OP asked for a view, and didn't qualify her request with any of the cavils the rest of you seem intent on inventing on their behalf, in case shock horror anybody should say anything bad.

I've been to the place, I've given my view on it. Comments to the effect of "it's not perfect but where is?" are common on this site and often used to counter anybody who expresses a realistic or negative view of a place, and they are not helpful. That's "spin". That's saying "okay it sucks, but if I compare it to somewhere even worse it makes it look better". The OP didn't ask for a comparative survey, they asked people for their impressions. Negative views are just as valuable to the viewers of this forum as positive views and you betray the reader (who may make the most significant move of their life based on what they read here) if the pack try to bully and shun anybody of the forum who expresses a negative view. I don't know why this happens - maybe people just really don't want to know there are flies in the ointment. Maybe people have to be convinced it's perfect because they've invested too much into it. Search me. But I'm not going to shut up just because you reckon I should. I will continue offering my opinion and trust the OP to take it with the gravity they think it deserves, however much or little that might be.

[IanW99]

...
Show me another word that means exactly the same as ****hole, and I'll cheerfully use it. My language is precise, and you're being fustian.
...


Unfortunately, the rules of this forum (see Welcome... Please Read (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=3777) for details) states:

1. Please keep in mind that this is a family oriented forum. Please keep language civil. Refrain from using coarse language and swear words. This includes words where letters are replaced by symbols such as *.

If you fail to do this then unfortunately, your message may well be lost, which IMO would be a shame.


The OP didn't ask for a comparative survey, they asked people for their impressions. Negative views are just as valuable to the viewers of this forum as positive views and you betray the reader (who may make the most significant move of their life based on what they read here) if the pack try to bully and shun anybody of the forum who expresses a negative view. I don't know why this happens - maybe people just really don't want to know there are flies in the ointment. Maybe people have to be convinced it's perfect because they've invested too much into it. Search me. But I'm not going to shut up just because you reckon I should. I will continue offering my opinion and trust the OP to take it with the gravity they think it deserves, however much or little that might be.

This is well said :nice1, I don't personally believe that there is an effort to deliberately make this forum 'rose tinted' but it does tend to come over that way (to me at least).

Back to topic (please)...

Ian

[clairelouise]

CJ22: Yes you are entitled to an opinion. But so am I. That does not make it 'spin'. All it does mean is that I don't agree with you. For my own reasons I might add, not because everything must be all sunshine and light.

[CJ22]

Clairelouise, at no point have I suggested that you are not entitled to an opinion, nor that it should agree with mine. I simply feel that quite often people post comments to the effect of "it's not perfect but nowhere is", and it adds very little to the debate. That's true of just about everywhere. We all understand that. But scabby is scabby, even if there are more scabby places in the world. That makes sense doesn't it?

The thing that annoys me is that I shouldn't be the one having to say this. I LOVE New Zealand. I've had a whale of a time ever since I got here, love just about everything about it, and don't have any intention of leaving if I can help it. I'd recommend to ANYBODY that they come here and give it a try. I'm not here to trash the place! But if every question about NZ is met with "Oh yeah it's wonderful!", and any counter-opinion is subtly rubbished, then we really are doing the reader (especially the causual reader who doesn't know the place well enough to make allowances) a disservice.

Ian, yes I quite agree it's not deliberate. It's just something emergeant, and a bit odd. But it DOES compromise the value of this resource.

[dylan]

Cj22, as you are no doubt aware your reply on this thread that contained the bad language that I and other formites took exception too has been edited on your behalf by the mods, enough said.:D

[dylan]

Does anyone have first hand knowledge of Kaitaia in the Far North.

I have read all there is to read on the web but am now looking for people who have lived or stayed there

Marybelle

Cj22, as you may be able to read the OP asked for specific, reasoned, personal experiences of this town. You have still not explained to the forum what your experiences are.

[marybelle]

I origionally asked for first hand knowledge and experiences from people who had lived there.

I expected to get good and bad reviews as nowhere appeals to everyone as we are all looking for different things from life. Life would be awfully boring if we all liked the same things, wouldn't it?

I did NOT expect abusive terms and foul language! My children read this forum and my 8yr old wanted to know what an expletive hole was!

Obviously people have strong feelings regarding their preferences and will defend their views and choices. It would have been more constructive to express these in descriptive terms instead of course ones.

Marybelle

[CJ22]

who have lived or stayed there
Did it never occurr to anybody I might not want to give my life story on this forum? My experience of the place is none of your business. An opinion was asked for, and given. I'm entitled to it, and don't have to explain myself to you.

For those of you who object to the bad language that never existed, New Zealand is not the place for you. It's the most sweary country I've ever been to, and I come from England. I haven't even alluded to any language that can't be heard on broadcast television here every day.

[IanW99]

Cj22, as you may be able to read the OP asked for specific, reasoned, personal experiences of this town. You have still not explained to the forum what your experiences are.

Actually, this is not what the OP asked for, but regardless this is what CJ22 provided.

Whilst his comments may have been a bit "abrupt" so to speak, they were, and are valid comments.


I origionally asked for first hand knowledge and experiences from people who had lived there.

I expected to get good and bad reviews as nowhere appeals to everyone as we are all looking for different things from life. Life would be awfully boring if we all liked the same things, wouldn't it?

I did NOT expect abusive terms and foul language! My children read this forum and my 8yr old wanted to know what an expletive hole was!
...


You actually asked for comments from people who had lived or stayed there. As CJ22 responded to this thread, I would assume that he has indeed stayed there.

I'm sorry if anyone was offended by his comments, I'm sure that this wasn't his intent.

I would like to point out that although this forum is moderated, it does run 24 hours a day and it isn't possible to moderate all posts all of the time without members reporting them to us.

As it would appear that there are not going to be any more sensible posts on the original subject, consider this thread closed.

Ian