People often ask what is the weather or climate like in New Zealand. Often its the English or Canadians trying to escape the cold.
First some general rules.
1. It gets colder as you move south in the Southern Hemisphere
2. It gets colder as you rise in elevation
3. The diurnal temperature range (variability) of temperatures increases as you move inland
Bear in mind that weather readings are derived from weather stations, so if you are basing you decisions on city climate data, buy property in an equivalent place, i.e. A similar distance from the coast, as opposed to 10km inland because you want a rural life.
You should also appreciate that cold air sinks into the valleys at night. Its called a temperature inversion, and those areas are slow to get sun in the mornings, and early to lose sunshine in the afternoon. So avoid mountain shade, or opt for those locations with east-west trending mountain ranges or ridge lines which will not conceal sun.
Having lived in NZ for 8mths now, watching the weather and scarcely travelled around NZ in a campervan, I would suggest to you, if you don't like the cold, best to be located in towns along the coasts of the Bay of Plenty, Wanganui-Taranaki regions, Napier/Hastings regions, as they are about 4degC warmer than the South Island. Gisborne area is good too, but more remote, and Gisborne is the only reasonable size city.
Even the top of the Sth Island is very much colder, despite the fact that it has as many sunny days, if not more, than the North Island. That is based on 30 years statistics from NIWA.
Now, if you travel inland from Christchurch it will be particularly cold in the mornings/nights, and particularly hot during mid-day. I understand the appeal of the South Island, but it is colder in winter. I recommend Hastings/Napier, Wanganui (my town). The only difference is property prices. Wanganui is not overpriced. You can buy a house in Wanganui for as little as $NZ80,000 (USD48,000). Its 17degC here today thanks to a northerly, same as Auckland, which has worse weather (slightly), and its 10degC in Christchurch/Dunedin. Blenheim on the north tip of SI is a compromise at 13degC. The morning temperature is 10degC, but if there is a southerly, it can be as cold as 2degC.
Another benefit of the North Island is access to the two largest cities - Auckland and Wellington. If you fly a lot, that comes in handy, but also the inter-island ferry is expensive. Christchurch though is a growing and vibrant city, so its a good choice too, just colder. Of course there is heating, but bear in mind:
1. The prospect of a carbon tax
2. Greater heating costs in winter in the South Island
First some general rules.
1. It gets colder as you move south in the Southern Hemisphere
2. It gets colder as you rise in elevation
3. The diurnal temperature range (variability) of temperatures increases as you move inland
Bear in mind that weather readings are derived from weather stations, so if you are basing you decisions on city climate data, buy property in an equivalent place, i.e. A similar distance from the coast, as opposed to 10km inland because you want a rural life.
You should also appreciate that cold air sinks into the valleys at night. Its called a temperature inversion, and those areas are slow to get sun in the mornings, and early to lose sunshine in the afternoon. So avoid mountain shade, or opt for those locations with east-west trending mountain ranges or ridge lines which will not conceal sun.
Having lived in NZ for 8mths now, watching the weather and scarcely travelled around NZ in a campervan, I would suggest to you, if you don't like the cold, best to be located in towns along the coasts of the Bay of Plenty, Wanganui-Taranaki regions, Napier/Hastings regions, as they are about 4degC warmer than the South Island. Gisborne area is good too, but more remote, and Gisborne is the only reasonable size city.
Even the top of the Sth Island is very much colder, despite the fact that it has as many sunny days, if not more, than the North Island. That is based on 30 years statistics from NIWA.
Now, if you travel inland from Christchurch it will be particularly cold in the mornings/nights, and particularly hot during mid-day. I understand the appeal of the South Island, but it is colder in winter. I recommend Hastings/Napier, Wanganui (my town). The only difference is property prices. Wanganui is not overpriced. You can buy a house in Wanganui for as little as $NZ80,000 (USD48,000). Its 17degC here today thanks to a northerly, same as Auckland, which has worse weather (slightly), and its 10degC in Christchurch/Dunedin. Blenheim on the north tip of SI is a compromise at 13degC. The morning temperature is 10degC, but if there is a southerly, it can be as cold as 2degC.
Another benefit of the North Island is access to the two largest cities - Auckland and Wellington. If you fly a lot, that comes in handy, but also the inter-island ferry is expensive. Christchurch though is a growing and vibrant city, so its a good choice too, just colder. Of course there is heating, but bear in mind:
1. The prospect of a carbon tax
2. Greater heating costs in winter in the South Island
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