Whangarei

eric_amanda · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2004 2:36 am Post subject: Whangarei

Hi

We have just accepted a job in Whangarei, Northland.

Can anyone give us any information about the area? it does not seem to have a mention on the site anywhere, yet we believe it is the main town in Northland.

Many thanks

Amanda & Eric

justin.g.s · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2004 8:53 am Post subject:

I know nothing of the area but the pictures on line are incredible. How difficult was it to land a job there, it is on of the regions that we have been eyeing closely, what kind of job did you get?

eric_amanda · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2004 9:06 pm Post subject:

Hi Justin

Eric is an Optometrist and registered with a group of independant opticians who are registered on the Talent Visa scheme. Within a week of registering he was contacted by the practice with job details after a lengthy telephone conversation a job offer followed. All within a few weeks!!

The Talent Visa is a fast track system, however by the time we wrap things up here it is likely to be July/August before we go. I don't think either of us expected things to happen so fast!

Amanda and Eric

Bill B · Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2004 5:05 am Post subject: Re: Whangarei

Pat27 · Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2004 2:31 am Post subject: Whangarei

Hi Eric and Amanda

I lived in Whangarei for 2 years back in 1990. We loved it there as it is very hot and sunny in summer (it's on the same latitude south of the equator as Morocco is north of it.) In winter it is very mild, but boy does it rain! I have never seen so many million of stars at night. The skies are beautiful, like nothing you see here.(UK)

It is a clean, modern city of about 40,000 including surrounding districts. Housing is much cheaper than the other parts of New Zealand and Auckland is about 100 miles to the south. It has lots of good shops, cinema, retaurants, pubs and clubs etc. There are lots of lovely beaches near by (check out Whale Bay and Ocean Beach.)

We lived in a traditional old style wooden house on 1/4 acre. We had lots of lovely exotic plants, including a banana tree in the garden. The only down side to this area is unemployment, which is high. But if you have a job, that's great.

Unfortunately we had to return to England because of family reasons, but now that our children are at Uni, my wife and I are considering buying a house in New Zealand once again, with the idea of spending 6 months in England, and 6 months in New Zealand. Our 2 areas of choice will be Nelson/Marlborough or Whangarei/Northland

We initially spent 3 months in Plimmerton near Wellington, but were not as happy as we were in Whangarei. We have very fond memories of the place. Go for it, and I'm sure you'll love it.

best wishes, and let me know how you get on.

Pat Gilchrist

eric_amanda · Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 12:37 am Post subject:

Hi Pat

Thank you for your response, it has certainly made us feel we have chosen a good location or rather we have been chosen by a good location!

Initially when we arrive we will be put up in a motel, but will then move on to temporary rented accomodation with a view to buying soon after. Are you able to give any advice on good areas and areas to avoid? We are considering buying a property near to the coast / beaches can you recommend anywhere nice but not too touristy?

Also we have 3 young children (6 weeks, 1 and 3) the 3 yr old will hopefully start kindergarten soon after our arrival, but we would also like to think about schools when we are choosing where we would like to live, can you recomend any good schools?

Many thanks

Amanda & Eric

Pat27 · Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2004 6:18 am Post subject: Whangarei

Hi Amanda and Eric

When we first went to Whangarei we rented for 6 months, whilst we got to know the town. We actually saw our house advertised in the local paper, (The Northern Advocate) so it might be worth looking at this also. I can recommend the following websites for houses which you can look at before you go:

1. realenz.co .nz
2. ljh.co.nz
3. harcourts.co.nz

We lived in a suburb called Onerahi, about 5 miles from town. We liked it as it was near the estuary of the Hatea river which flows through Whangarei from the sea. The housing there is a mixture of social (Local authority) and private, so it would be wise to walk around the areas you are considering at different times before deciding on anything. Really check out the locality, and ask local people, colleagues at work, members of a church or other club etc, where they would and wouldn't buy. Obviously things will have changed a lot from our time there.

If we were buying now, we would look at Parua Bay and Whangarei Heads. (further on from Onerahi) Matapouri and Ngunguru are 2 other areas that used to be very pleasant. Be careful about the suburb of Kamo, as there are extensive old coal-mining shafts there, and subsidence used to be common. Don't rely on getting unbiased information from the real-estate agents. All they want to do is sell houses. Any house, anywhere. (some things never change!)

There are always lots of houses for sale in Northland, as being the area in NZ with the highest unemployment, quite a few people seemed to be selling up and moving to Australia, certainly that was the case when we were there. I think it is still a buyer's market.

I know the primary school at Parua Bay was very good when I taught there, but again that was a while ago. There were 4 high schools in town (Whangarei Boys, Whangarei Girls, Tikipunga (mixed), and Pompallier College (Catholic mixed), and I think they were all pretty good. I taught Maths on supply at Tikipunga and was impressed with the standard and behaviour.

I would say it would be a good idea to buy a house with at least a 1/4 of an acre and fenced, (approx 1000sqm) so that the children can run around in safety in summer.(which will be most of the year) Most Kiwi kids there always go in bare feet, even to school, as our 2 nippers did.

Be very careful of the sun with the children. If possible stay out of it between 11am and 2pm. Keep their heads and backs and shouders covered throughout the summer, even when it is cloudy, as the air is very clear and they will burn very quickly. (Melanoma is very high in young people in NZ)

You will definitely need a car, as the buses used to be few and far between, and there was no train service to Auckland. We bought a good second-hand car in Auckland soon after we first arrived. They tend to be cheaper and in better condition than here.

I hope this has helped a little.

When are you due to go?

best wishes

Pat

eric_amanda · Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2004 3:19 am Post subject: Whangarei

Hi Pat

Thanks for your comments, it has given us something to work on.

Just a couple more questions. You said you lived in Onerahi, is that not close to the airport? and did you find it was a problem with air traffic noise at all? From what we understand it is quite a small airport but surely there must be some noise somewhere.

Looking on some of the property websites we are noticing a lot of properties in Bream Bay and Ruakaka for sale. Is this a good area? or is that why there is so much for sale?

We will certainly rent for a while to get to know the areas, however with a 3 yr old who is ripe for kindy I would like to think we could rent in an area we will soon be able to buy in, so that he can start a kindy and not have to move once we buy a property.

Can you remember what sort of Leisure facilities there are in Whangarei? My eldest son currently has swimming lessons and I would like to think he could continue this and the other two follow on. I would also like to join a Gym of some sorts, and Eric is a Windsurfer, so no doubt will just need to go to the nearest beach!!

Have you decided on where to move back to yet?

We are yet to set a moving date, however at latest we will be there by the end of August.

Look forward to your response.

Amanda & Eric

Pat27 · Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2004 6:40 am Post subject: Whangarei

Hi Amanda and Eric

Yes, Onerahi was very close to a small airport, which is set up higher than the houses surrounding it. Only small propellor-driven planes landed there then, and I don't recall them being a nuisance as they landed and took off parallel to most of the housing. In fact it was nice to bring the children up the hill to watch them take off and land. I used to go running around the perimeter of the airport, and it was I think it was about 2.5 to 3 miles in distance.

I remember not being impressed by Ruakaka. Another uninspiring place I seem to recall is Hikurangi, which just seemed to have nothing going for it at all. Bream Bay I can't remember.

However, there are lots of lovely places to choose from, and if you are selling an average-priced house in the UK, you will have enormous scope in New Zealand.

I would say once more, don't rush in to buying too quickly. Just like in the UK, you can tell a lot about an area by walking around and looking at the condition of the houses, any graffitti, rubbish, abandoned cars etc. Also ask local people who you will get to know and trust. They will know the town and how it has changed in the 15 years since we were there.

I remember Raurimu Avenue (our local primary school in Onerahi) had it's own outdoor swimming pool where our daughter learned to swim, aged 5. I think most of the primary schools may have their own pools also.

You will spend much more time outdoors in Northland because of the superb climate.

My wife (Ann) confirms that Whangarei does indeed have a swimming pool, or at least it did then. I think sporting and other facilities are still excellent in Whangarei.

We are intending to go to New Zealand in September to check out the Nelson/Blenheim and Whangarei areas. Nelson is a lovely spot, but it did seem a little bit isolated once everything closed down for the winter. Whangarei is an all-year round town with lots going on.

Where do you live in the UK?

Hope this helps,

regards

Pat

dkcolson · Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2004 3:23 am Post subject: Keri Keri

Can someone tell me anything about this place? Also, what are the schools summer vacations in this area or in general Northland area? Also, what would be the closest town that has malls, theaters or a "city" like atmosphere. Are these cities by the bay of the islands pretty primitive in regards to supermarkets, malls etc?

Thank you

eric_amanda · Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2004 9:00 pm Post subject: Whangarei

Hi

We have it on good authority that Whangarei now has 5 supermarkets! Internet shopping is available through these, however sometimes it is best to shop locally for really good buys and bargains particularly on in season fruit and veg.

There are no malls for this you would need to go to Auckland, although there is a reasonable town centre shopping area, however if you were looking for something a little bit more 'designer', particularly in clothing, it may be worth a trip to Auckland.

Not sure about Keri Keri but Pat may know more. Also not sure about theatres etc, although again I understand top west end shows do eventually make it to New Zealand, a recent example I was given was the Abba production Mama Mia.

Also, I believe Whangarei has a reasonable night life?!

Hope this helps

Amanda & Eric