Some of the warmest places to live in New Zealand include Tauranga, Hamilton, and Napier. The cost of living can be expensive, but it really depends on your lifestyle and where youre located. The Covid-19 lockdown of New Zealand started at 11:59pm 25 March 2020. Travelling in the shoulder seasons can be a good idea as youll often find more availability and better rates on accommodation and activities. Soil conditions along Wairarapas coast have been labelled extremely dry on the New Zealand Drought Index. Try to live on the same side of the Waikato river that you work to avoid this inner city headache. The biggest impact were noticing right now is the ability to shift store lambs. There are also popular tourist spots like the Skytower, Mount Eden, surfing in Paihia, and drinking wine in Waiheke, nearby. You can find work abroad via local job boards or temp agencies. New Zealand's Sandy Coasts Educational CD, NIWA and Kia Toipoto Closing Gender and Ethnic Pay Gaps, Annual climate summary 2021: New Zealand's warmest year on record, In numbers: New Zealands wild summer weather, Cropp at Waterfall (Hokitika Catchment)**. The annual Farmer's Santa Parade returned to central Auckland after a year off for the Pandemic and the rain wasn't enough to deter Christmas fans. Weve had people praying, people dancing for the rain I might have to start myself.. The average annual rainfall there is 11,516 millimeters (453 inches). Christchurch was the driest main centre in New Zealand over 2020. Journeying The Globe. You can expect to spend around $1,600 NZD on rent and $1,300 NZD on general expenses. 5 terms. Photos / Andrew Cornaga, Photosport, Aucklanders are being warned to take shelter before a potentially damaging line of thunderstorms barrels over the city. If you are looking for dry places on theNorth Island, I can tell you that there arent many although some parts of the North Island can experience extreme droughts from time to time. Make the most of this great location by being able to have weekends skiing in the winter or beach days in the summer. Because of this, there are lots of original and exciting restaurants bars, and activities to balance a hard days work. Ophir Ophir, in the south of New Zealand, is a tiny town which held the record for the country's lowest temperature. It depends the best country to live in as an expat will depend on your unique needs. Property in Wellington can be very expensive, both to rent and to own, in part due to the high cost of insurance. ), Wise.com is a great solution. a group made up of sovereign states that remain associated with Great Britain. The North Island of New Zealand also has a couple of sunny areas: So good places to visit for sun on the North Island would be Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupo, Whakatane, Opotiki, Gisborne, Napier, and Hastings. Note that this pattern is shared with places like Abel Tasman National Park and Golden Bay where lots of beaches are located. The city is situated on a narrow isthmus, which means there are many beautiful beaches within close proximity. plants or animals introduced to an area that destroy or hinder indigenous species. As a result of the significant reconstruction efforts ongoing, there are a large number of work opportunities in the construction sector. But the hardest thing is deciding to move abroad at all! Exploration The Driest Place on Earth The Atacama Desert is the driest place in the world. Learn languages in no time with iTalki! Find more transport options > Essential travel information Weather and climate invasive. Napier is a great place to live if you are looking for a relaxed lifestyle with plenty of things to do. 13 Jun 2014. Cropp River, New Zealand. Warm days and cool nights are common. Best for epic landscapes. This is my favourite luggage set for long term travel. There are also many artists who live on the island, which gives it a creative and eclectic feel. Dont expect to show up in a tank top all year, though. Rainfall data used were near-instantaneous. Can I still live abroad? Auckland is the best place to live in New Zealand for business positions. This is what it was like on the first morning. Theres always something to do and see between the many festivals, markets, and other events. The places that receive the most amount of sun in New Zealand depend largely on their latitude (southern locations have shorter days inwinter and longer days in summer) and how much cloud cover there is (the more clouds there are, the less sunnier a place is). New Zealand Average Temperatures in January. The city has a population of around 60,000 people, and the cost of living is relatively affordable. I'm on a mission to empower every young woman to stop waiting to move abroad. the most popular spots for skiing and snowboarding. In addition, the city is located in a very remote part of the country, and it can be difficult to find work. However, the cost of living in the Bay of Plenty is quite high, and it can be difficult to find work. ), playing sports for the many clubs and organisations, meeting for coffee in the Scottish-inspired town centre, and exploring city parks and cycle trails. Its location in the northern portion of the North Island ensures the temperatures are mild to hot all year, and rainfall is spread right across all 12 months. In terms of employment, because Queenstown is a major tourist destination, most of the jobs here are in the tourism sector (think hotel and restaurant type jobs) and the pay is typically not much higher than minimum wage. It really depends where youre located and your type of lifestyle. The area is home to some truly spectacular coastal scenery, deserted beaches, and lovely walking trails. are less crowded. Western Plateau Central Lowlands . For example, the 566 mm recorded at Cropp at Waterfall (Hokitika catchment) occurred between 2311 NZST on 11 May 1978 and 1111 NZST on 12 May 1978. Common wealth. The 9 Warmest Places in New Zealand for Sun Lovers. Please confirm all details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip. Overall, Rotorua is a great place to live if you want to experience the true Kiwi lifestyle. Yes, many regions of New Zealand see snow in the winter months of June through August. But dont let that fool you theres still plenty to do in Devonport. April 29, 2020 JPEG View Both Images December through Februarysummer in the Southern Hemisphereare typically the driest months in north and central New Zealand. Snow typically falls during the months of June through to October, though cold snaps can occur outside of this. The city has a low cost of living, and its a good place to live if youre on a budget. The Bay of Plenty is a region located on the east coast of New Zealands North Island. As a result, it attracts a large number of overseas backpackers on a Working Holiday Visa who come to town for a year or two to work and socialise. Gisborne is also known for its fabulous surfing, delicious chardonnay, and prominent Maori culture. Where is the coldest place in New Zealand? He said westerly wind flow predicted for December and January would result in further dry conditions, but that there would be a northeasterly turn from the middle of January which would likely mean some good news in terms of getting rainfall. So catch aferry from Wellington to Pictonand then drive or fly to, for example, Nelson and then drive. There are three main areas on the South Island that do not get a lot of rain: But just knowing what these locations are is not enough. Whakatane in the North Island's Bay of Plenty district, is the sunniest place in New . Spring in NewZealand is when the weather starts to warm up, although there is, a high chance of rainfall around this time of year, the perfect time to enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking. The midday summer solar radiation index (UVI) is often very high in most places and can be extreme in northern New Zealand and in mountainous areas. New Zealand is a remote landone of the last sizable territories suitable for habitation to be populated and settledand lies more than 1,000 miles (1,600 km) southeast of Australia, its nearest neighbour. There are a lot of great places to live in New Zealand, and it really depends on what youre looking for. Finding work in New Zealand can be difficult, especially if youre not a citizen or resident. Thats why I developed this $7 course to share all of the steps Ive taken when deciding to move to 20+ different countries, and how I handle homesickness when I get there. Cost of living for a family in Hamilton is $4,000 per month, roughly based on the cost of the average family home ($500-700 per week) or an executive home ($700-800 per week), groceries ($250-350), and eating out once in a while (meals costing $25-35 per meal). New Zealand's scenic highlights and natural wonders Auckland has the most stable climate with the least seasonal variation but it's often claimed the humidity is too high. Getting around New Zealand Whether you want to self-drive, fly, join a tour, or hop on a bus or train, there are plenty of options for getting around New Zealand. Take this $7 course and learn the exact script I used to tell my family I was moving abroad and then when I did it again. The driest part of the North Island is the bottom half starting on a line south of Mount Taranaki and Tongariro National Park down to Wellington, excluding parts where there are mountain ranges. The mean annual rainfall in . Hottest, coldest, wettest, driest, sunniest, windiestfind out here which places hold the record for climate extremes in New Zealand. From US Netflix in the UK to social media sites banned in Asia. Basic groceries cost $500 pp/month. (Read more). Apartments are generally preferable to houses, and it is worth paying a bit extra for a newer place because many Wellington houses, particularly older ones have little/no insulation which is unpleasant in the cold winters. Winter in NewZealand is the best time to visit if youre into snow sports. Surrounded by Abel Tasman National Park, Kahurangi National Park, Nelson Lakes National Park, and Tasman Bay, every way you turn is a mind-blowing view. the transformation of land from green to desert. advantageous or favorable toward something. Meetup.com Meet likeminded people who share a similar hobby with Meetup! Wellington is built on a geographic faultline, so residents get used to occasional earthquakes. Wairarapa Federated Farmers president William Beetham said if the dry spell continued, it will be a real concern for farmers. On the edge of the South Island, Fiordland National Park is home to one of New Zealand's most famous attractions, the majestic Milford Sound. Christchurch Warmest places in New Zealand FAQs Where is the warmest place in New Zealand? As it gets drier, theyre going to have to consider more supplementary feed, or drying cows off earlier.. A lot of the guys who would normally buy those lambs to grow them out further are not buying at this point of time because its dry and the crops arent quite ready.. Settlement and Movement. Its also one of the most affordable cities in New Zealand. Milford Sound Milford Sound is the wettest inhabited place in New Zealand, and one of the wettest places in the world! Take particular care from September to April, especially between 10am and 4pm, even on cloudy days. Aircraft from the two World Wars took to the skies over south Auckland along with more recent military and training planes as the New Zealand Warbirds Association lived up to their mission to Keep em flying. Photos / Alex Burton. Type of Work: Engineering and manufacturing. Wise.com offers free global accounts, and the cheapest money transfers. Adding to the problem is an average windspeed of 42.5kmh over October and November, creating drier conditions. Share your stories, get inspired, and plan your next adventure with us. 101 New Zealand Fun Facts To Know Before You Go, How to Move to New Zealand with a Working Holiday Visa, 25 Pros and Cons of Living in New Zealand, 17 Best Places to Visit & Top Things to Do In North Island New Zealand, 18 Places to Visit & Top Things to Do In South Island of New Zealand. The 2019-2020 summer season was especially dry, leaving the entirety of North Island in severe meteorological drought. Based on the average yearly high of 19.7 C (67.6 F), Whangarei is the warmest place in New Zealand. The city is also home to some other famous residents royal albatross birds, endangered yellow-eyed penguins, little blue penguins, sea lions, seals, and many native other birds also reside here. Worst impacted is coastal Wairarapa, and it may be dire straits for the farming community over summer, Castlepoint Station manager Jacques Reinhardt said. Photo / CyldeServices, The long, hard work to clean up after the cyclone's destruction starts in the hardest-hit area of Hawke's Bay, Looking like the aftermath of a battle-zone, Esk Valley, known for it's productive land and outstanding beauty, has been smashed in cyclone Gabrielle's path. Photos / Hayden Woodward, Samoa Rugby League supporters took to the streets to support their team playing Australia in the World Cup final played in Manchester 19 November 2022, The New Zealand rugby Black Ferns celebrate their world cup triumph with fans in downtown Auckland. These cities offer a great lifestyle, plenty of work opportunities, and a vibrant nightlife. The weather helps too with average temperatures in summer of 22 Celsius and snow in the winter. (Image credit: dreamstime) Average rainfall: 0.761 mm (0.03 in) per year. The cost of living in Devonport is similar to the cost of living in Auckland. Just be sure to have a raincoat on hand as moderate rainfall is experienced all year round. Devonport is a beautiful, historic seaside town located on Aucklands North Shore. The city also has a thriving food and wine scene, with many boutique wineries and restaurants to enjoy. . It is one of the driest places on Earth and has not seen rain for nearly two million years. Best Places to Live. The city is small enough to get around on foot, but there is also a good public transport system. Another area on the South Island that gets a lot of sun runs from just north of Christchurch in southwestern direction toward Lake Tekapo and includes Ashburton, Geraldine, and Fairlie. NewZealands climate is diverse the north of the North Island can have warm subtropical weather in summer, while inland alpine areas of the South Island can have heavy snow and temperatures as low as -10C (14F) in winter. If you want to experience the true Kiwi lifestyle, then we would recommend Rotorua, Hawkes Bay, or Queenstown. ForChristchurch, winter is the wettest season, and spring or summer is the best time to visit Christchurch to avoid a lot of rain. Drought: New Zealand's driest areas. Typically, temperatures get cooler the further south you go in New Zealand. If you are interested in knowing what the cloudiest place is in New Zealand, that would be the southernmost parts of the South Island so the area around Invercargill. Arica is the driest city on the planet, though not quite . Summer would be the best season because youll then also experience thehighest temperatures. VPNs allow you to access more of the internet. Summer seems to stretch for a good portion of the year, with temperatures in the high teens to mid 20s (high 60s low 70s) from October through May. The National Hydrometric Database, EDENZ, with all data from mainland New Zealand stations included. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Napier is often referred to as the art deco capital of the world, and its easy to see why. Just remember to factor in the cost of living and the availability of work when choosing where to live. Video / Luke Nola, Monster Truck & FMX Spectacular event at Aucklands Waikaraka Park Speedway. To find cheap rental cars, I recommendDiscover Cars. Lives in Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand Author has 2.3K answers and 824.3K answer views 2 y It depends on what you mean by best. Auckland 6. The landscape is so arid, that NASA 's astrobiologists travel to the Atacama Desert hoping it will lead them to clues about life on other planets. Within the city, youll find plentiful shopping and hip cafes to sample New Zealands food culture. . Our average rainfall is high and spread evenly throughout the year. There are also plenty of things to do in Auckland, from exploring the many museums and art galleries, to hiking in the nearby Waitakere Ranges. A luxurious lifestyle with your own place near the beach can easily cost upwards of $6,000-8,000 per month with over half of that going towards rent. Temperatures sit at an ideal low to mid 20s (mid 70s) from November through March, and with an average of eight rainy days a month, youre almost guaranteed a perfect stay. Cropp River in New Zealand may only be 9 kilometers in length, but it gets so huge precipitation annually. Hamilton, in New Zealands North Island is an excellent place for expats to live. **Cropp at Waterfall is a gauge sited near the waterfall on the Cropp River, which is a tributary of the Whitcombe River, itself a tributary of the Hokitika River. Best places to live in New Zealand for expats, cost of living on Waiheke Island is similar to the cost of living in Auckland. Rent and general expenses can cost around $3,000 NZD per month. Does it snow in New Zealand? Rotorua 13. Or, if you prefer to stay out of the water, Gisbornes temperate oceanic climate is ideal for chardonnay, and the region boasts a handful of charming boutique wineries. I recommend Dunedin over Invercargill for a cheap lifestyle without being so cold or cut off from the rest of the country. Video / Benjamin Plummer. How do I tell my friends and family I want to live abroad? Hikers are always encouraged to have a location beacon and tell friends and families their plans, as its not uncommon to hear of hikers becoming stranded due to the weather. If we do get reasonable rain over the next month, that will carry farmers through thats the biggest thing.. Dont get thrown off by the cost of living, though: although the town is quite small, you can also find exciting job opportunities contributing to a healthy work-life balance! They hire for 100% remote roles only. Reapply every two hours and after swimming. By Ian Randall. Water from thin air. Dunedin 6. Arica, Chile. Finally, Gisborne has a very hot climate and it can be quite uncomfortable to live there during the summer months. November is when you start to see consistently mild temperatures and is typically the driest month in New Zealand. Winter in NewZealand can be busy or quiet depending on where you go ski areas like, in the North Island are always buzzing in the depths of winter, whereas coastal areas and big cities like. If the dry spell continues for another month, it will be a big concern. Most snow in NewZealand falls in the mountainous areas, like the Central Plateau in the North Island, and the Southern Alps in the South Island. ForCentral Otagowhere Alexandra is located, much of the rain tends to fall in autumn with also some in summer. In summer, temperatures climb to the mid 20s C (mid 70s F) and occasionally reach above 30 C (mid 80s F). As Napier sits in the rain shadow of the Kaweka Range and Volcanic Plateau to the west, it has the driest and warmest summer in the country. The Legend of New Zealand. All rights reserved. How do I pick a country to live abroad? Be 'SunSmart' by using these three simple steps when you go outdoors: You can check NewZealand weather conditions on theMetService website. The hottest months in NewZealand are January and February, and the coldest month of the year is July. Were interested in how you are using this information and whether its useful let us know by emailing [emailprotected]. Calculating expenses for food, household items, clothes, and activities on top of this, you can expect the cost of living for a single person in Wanaka to go up to $1,500 to $2,000 NZD a month. Wairarapa is the driest place in New Zealand, with some parts bordering on drought conditions. Queenstown and Wanaka in the South Island and the Central Plateau in the North Island are the most popular spots for skiing and snowboarding. Snow rarely falls in the coastal areas of the North Island and west of the South Island, although the east and south of the South Island may experience some snow in winter. Located at the very top of the South Island, Nelson is susceptible to strong storms charging off Tasman Bay. Its a really helpful and cheap thing to ensure your online activities arent restricted. Helping you understand the science of climate change. You can expect to spend around $1,500 NZD on rent and $1,000 NZD on general expenses. #Climate data were sourced from the National Climate Database, CliFlo, with all data from mainland New Zealand stations included. Jeff Fitlow/Rice University; (inset) Hans Hillewaert. The country offers a great lifestyle, and there are plenty of opportunities for work and study. Devonport is also a great place for outdoor activities like swimming, hiking, and biking. Most snow in New Zealand falls in the mountain areas. There are plenty of parks and gardens to explore, as well as cycle trails and walkways. Rotorua 8. Outside the city, endless stretches of beautiful landscapes beg to be explored. The best place to live in New Zealand for retirees is probably Christchurch. Gisborne has the best weather in New Zealand. Schultz/Brown University If youre looking for a more urban environment, then Auckland or Wellington might be a better option. The North Island has had one of its driest summers in years, with farmers now feeling the brunt of the lack of water. You also need to knowwhat seasonto visit to get the least amount of rain. Find out more about New Zealand's national parks. The windy city doesnt have the best weather, but it makes up for it with spectacular scenery.