[Dinnaefash]

Sitting here in rainy windy Scotland, getting depressed cos our house hasn't sold yet and the prospect of another winter here is awful... :wah :no

We're hoping to move to the Waikato area. Can anyone fill me in on what I can expect from winters there?? :? Type of weather, and also LENGTH of winter... ? :hopeso

[Lily]

Hi - I lived in the Waikato (mostly Hamilton) for quite a few years.
I'm sorry to say that the winters there are not great either!
If you are going to live in Hamilton you can expect a lot of grey days and quite often heavy fog (as it is situated in a basin).
Winter starts from around late May and can still feel quite dreary up until September or October.
I can remember a few years back still wearing winter clothes to work in November :no
Where abouts excatly are you thinking of living?
Lily

[Dinnaefash]

I'm not sure, except it will be in the country :nice1 :yes as I have horses. We really liked the Waihi area, is that still the Waikato or is that classed as Coromandel?? So, anywhere from there over to towards Raglan.

I'm hoping :hopeso that at least the winters won't be quite as cold as here, but mainly that they'll be SHORTER! :hopeso :nice1 Pleeeeeeeese! I'm so fed up of 6-7 months of winter.... :no

[Lily]

Waihi is LOVELY!
Great town pretty scenery - I'm pretty sure that it is classed as more Corromandal area than Waikato. You have Waihi town and Waihi beach. Also, I have spent a lot of time in Raglan - wild coastline, rugged beauty.

If you live in the Waihi area your nearest city will be Tauranga which is 53km away - that is where quite possibly I will move with my Dutch fiance early next year :mrgreen:

Hamilton is the city closest to Raglan - around 45 km I think.

If you have any more questions I would be happy to try to answer them :yes

Lily

[acisman]

We are emigrating to NZ next year and are hoping to settle around Matamata in Waikato. I have asked a few questions and done some research and my view is that yes there is a winter in Waikato, but it is not as cold as here in the UK. Using data compiled since 1970, the average minimum air temperature in winter has been between 4 and 8 degrees. OK frosts do occur doing the night, but it seems they are gone by morning and are usually followed by a bright day.

Rain seems to be the main winter problem with between 100mm and 130mm of rain per month.

I am convinced that we will be moving to a much warmer climate all year around than we have here in the UK. Knowing Scotland quite well, you guys from north of the border ( no offence meant ) will find it even warmer.

The biggest potential problem during the winter is that the vast majority of NZ homers do not have central heating. We intend to install heating in whatever we buy. The only issue at the moment is what heating source to use. Not sure that natural gas is available here.

Waikato is ideal for so many reasons and we were really impressed when we visited last year. We just cannot wait for 2005 when we will be leaving UK as summer starts to go to Waikato just as winter arrives. There is nothing like jumping in at the deep end.

Dave

[Robert Dazzler]

I`ve been in Hamilton since June and can tell you the winter we`ve just had is a lot better than the ones in England (Nott`m). The locals tell me it was a hard winter but appart from a few foggy days and a few frosts it`s been quite nice, even had quite a few T-shirt days too.

Gas is available in lots of places or you can always use bottled gas (that`s what I`ve got)....... Some of us even have underfloor heating :nice1 .

Bobby.

[Dinnaefash]

Yay! :nice1 Good news at last!! :clap

[leslie]

i lived on a stud farm in cambridge (just south) for a year and can assure you that compared with uk winters it is paradise. its all true tho re. heating - bring a favourite sweater.

[AliJax]

I`ve been in Hamilton since June and can tell you the winter we`ve just had is a lot better than the ones in England (Nott`m). The locals tell me it was a hard winter but appart from a few foggy days and a few frosts it`s been quite nice, even had quite a few T-shirt days too.

Gas is available in lots of places or you can always use bottled gas (that`s what I`ve got)....... Some of us even have underfloor heating :nice1 .

Bobby.

Welcome to the forum Bobby, I work in Building Services and Underfloor heating is the best :nice1

Is there one supplier of utilities in NZ or one for elec, one for gas? or loads?

[Dinnaefash]

i lived on a stud farm in cambridge

Yay! Is there another horsie person here at last??? :hopeso :yes

[Robert Dazzler]

[



Is there one supplier of utilities in NZ or one for elec, one for gas? or loads?

There are a few Electricity suppliers....Genesis, Trustpower, etc and I think, seperate suppliers for Gas.

I`ve not got mains gas, I use bottled gas, so I`m not 100% sure.

Several phone companies too!

Bobby.

[A & M]

Hi

I'm another horsy person, used to work in a racing yard and on a thoroughbred stud. haven't ridden for a few years - too busy with children and job, but if you want any help with your horses when you get them there, give me a shout!!

In fact have just spent the day with old friends from my horsy days, having a good old reminisce.

what sort of horses do you have?

Mandy

[Dinnaefash]

I've got 2 QH's; will definitely be bringing one of them over, probably selling the other. Can't wait to get there and do some riding! :yes