[Koen]

All info needed , schools , way of life , temperature etc ... All you can share

thank you

[Daffy]

Only been there as part of a holiday, but liked it, and it's a place I'm to consider if I do ever make it out to NZ.

[ellen]

Hi....I only check in occasionally, so I just saw this.

I moved to Taupo from the United States in Jan. My husband arrived last May. We have a 15 y.o. son who is at Taupo Nui a Tia college. He was placed in year 11, solely due to his age (which apparently is a bigger issue here than in the States). Two weeks later, he was moved into three year 12 classes (chemistry, math, and history) and then two days later, moved to year 13 maths (still in some year 11 classes, though, so that he "can stay with his age mates"). At the teacher's meetings, we were told that he is the top maths student in year 13. Back in the States, while he wasn't mediocre, he ran in the middle of his pack in his math classes. He is an able student, but not a disciplined one nor is he ambitious. Still he is rated quite highly here. While I appreciate that he isn't stressed, I would like to see him receive a greater challenge. The teachers seem fine, but he reports that the other students rarely even turn in homework. I do know that I see plenty of students trailing into school late, or even heading the opposite direction after the buses have dropped them off.

I don't know about primary schools but have friends here who used to be involved in national primary school curriculum and who are quite positive about the primary level. They advise us to send our son to boarding school for the secondary level, not so much for the quality of teachers, but for the calibur of the student body and the peer influence. Several hundred secondary students here in Taupo are apparently in boarding schools and so there is a segment of population not represented in the schools.

I find it difficult to find out much of what happens in school, but that is probably more due to my son's intense desire to have independence in that area. His school in the States did communicate with parents much more, but then, the whole state of internet communication was light years ahead of NZ there (both in terms of broadband availability, cost, and speed and of the number of parents that had ready access to computers and internet).

Ellen

[ellen]

People often tell us that it is so cold in Taupo, but then, I used to live on the North Slope of Alaska, so I do find it mild. What does feel cold is that there isn't central heating so the buildings are often chilly....it is strange to walk into buildings and find them even colder than outside when the sun has warmed up the world, but not inside buildings. The other night, at choral practice, every "Hallelujah" was accompanied by a puff of visible breath!

I do wear a long underwear top at home and my son bought me possum/wool socks for my birthday, so I'm a bit warmer. Part of my difficulty is that I'm a bit too sedentary with my reading and writing. I'm usually fine if I get up and do some vigorous cleaning, but that is a less popular option.

The sun really makes a difference. The best advice I got was to find a place with a lot of northern windows to get the winter sun. We did and I'm quite pleased with that, and, just like a cat, I'm known to follow my spot of sun across the room as I read.

[ellen]

This is a tough one, as there are so many ways to live anywhere. We are older, much older, with a young child (my husband got expedited to residency, despite our age, due to his credentials and his job). He is active, riding his bike to and from work most days....he works a bit out of town so it is a 30-40 minute ride each way. We hike around a bit, but are nowhere as active as the younger ones that work in his office. There is a group of mountain climbers, one fanatic glider pilot, and a whole lot of skiers there.

We've found a bit of a throw-back to the 50's culture of civic clubs here. Rotary is a big thing and that has given us a way to meet people of our age group. I also think some of these clubs combine fellowship and service in a way that people find in churches in the States, but minus the religion. They are really some very good people and have been welcoming.

There is a large tourist culture here, plus a retired group here. That supports more nice restaurants than might be expected in a town of this size, but we find that we don't have that kind of money. In fact, we are often surprised at how people can afford to live at the level that they seem to live. But most couples have both people working here, and I haven't found a job yet. I seem to be either too old or overqualified.

I do love the practicality and common sense of people here. They aren't too indulgent of whining or victim-hood. What a relief that is!

Let me know if you have more questions...

[Diny]

At the teacher's meetings, we were told that he is the top maths student in year 13. Back in the States, while he wasn't mediocre, he ran in the middle of his pack in his math classes. He is an able student, but not a disciplined one nor is he ambitious. Still he is rated quite highly here. While I appreciate that he isn't stressed, I would like to see him receive a greater challenge.

Ellen

Have thoroughly enjoyed reading your posts Ellen, a very level headed, refreshing and practical report of yourlife here in NZ .

I have highlighted your quote (above) because I'm elated to read a comment which seems to come from the same 'school of thought' (excuse the pun) as my ideas regarding the education here.

Diny

[katandbob]

hi we were thinking of taking a 3 day chill as Rob found an offer for 3 nites for $130, is it worth taking up and will we have enough to keep us entertained...ie will the weather be decent enough for us to do out door stuff?

cheers...Kat :nice1

[Diny]

will the weather be decent enough for us to do out door stuff?

cheers...Kat :nice1

If we could answer that we'd be very rich !!! Only joking ...... what you really need to bear in mind is that fact that we really do get 4 seasons in one day here in NZ. Be prepared for all weather.

There's lots to do in Taupo but for 3 days you may end up spending a fair bit of money (after you've exhausted all the freebie things). Lots of good walks around the lake, nice restaurants and on a clear day some magnificent views of the mountain. And if the natural, beautiful scenery and stunning walks to picnic areas don't appeal to you, there's a great big corporation swimming pool just like in every other town in NZ which will be more than happy to take your money.

(Sorry, abit of a private jibe there).

Diny

[ellen]

The rain is pouring down, as I write this. Yet we've had some wonderful weather in the past week. I just hesitate to call it. The daylight is, of course, short, but there are wonderful walks all around (Huka Falls trail, up Mt Tauhaura, and, at the south end of the lake, the wonderful small lake...I think of it as the Gemstone Lake but it has a longer Maori name...can't remember it now). There is a lot of skydiving ($$$) when clear and also a good glider club that will take you up ($$), I still saw people out fishing two weeks ago. It is possible to charter boats and the float plane takes tours out to White Island and/or up around the volcanoes to the South ($$$).

We tend to be of the frugal sort, so we walk a lot. There are also some good mountain bike trails close to Craters of the Moon (another good place to walk through the thermal landscape). If you don't want to spend money to be in warm water, there are hot spots along the lake edge and a neat thermal spring at the town end of the Huka Falls walk. There is a lot of golf around here, but I totally ignore that. The AC Baths and Events Center is run by the Taupo District Council, with a lap pool, a recreational pool and just a hot pool to sit in outside....$6 a head, I believe. There is a rock climbing wall in there (don't know how much that costs) and a fitness center (again, I think $6 a head) which has 5 treadmills, 4 stationary bikes, 3 rowing machines, and other sorts of stuff.

Weather is no guarantee....but when it is beautiful, it is glorious....

Ellen

[katandbob]

Diny & Ellen,

Thanks.........me and rob belong to the 'frugal' group as well, and after living in the MIL's house for 6 mths I am sure we will make use of the time together!!

Kat