Last on our list of the warmest places in New Zealand is Christchurch. Rotorua is a city located in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand. 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. The best way to find work is to network with people in your industry and to look for job postings online. 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. Its known for its geothermal activity, with hot springs and bubbling mud pools dotting the landscape. Copyright 2021 newzealandtravelinsider.com. The nearby Doubtful Sound is also spectacular but less accessible - travelers . Newspaper reports at the time in The Otago Witness and The Tuapeka Times described extreme impacts from snow and severe temperatures in the region, consistent with the recorded temperatures. Theres always something to do and see between the many festivals, markets, and other events. Mean annual temperatures range from 10C in the south to 16C in the north of New Zealand. Gisborne 2. Settlement and Movement. How much does it cost to live in New Zealand? Video / Benjamin Plummer. However, you will experience torrential rain and very dark skies for a few weeks. Fortunately, a lot of concern was alleviated by very high product prices at the moment, he said. However, the summer months are when Whangarei really puts on a show. During the hot summers, you can cool off in the refreshing water of the lake and go hiking in the wilderness, whereas snowboarding and skiing are some of the best things to do in Wanaka during its cold winter season. In 2015, the New Zealand Antarctic Research Institute granted funding to AUT to develop methods for operating unmanned aerial vehicles. The sunniest places in NewZealand (recorded hours of sunshine) are the Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay and Nelson/Marlborough. I recommend Dunedin over Invercargill for a cheap lifestyle without being so cold or cut off from the rest of the country. . ), playing sports for the many clubs and organisations, meeting for coffee in the Scottish-inspired town centre, and exploring city parks and cycle trails. Helping you understand the science of climate change. Less than a millimetre of rain falls there per year on average. It also falls heavily in inland Canterbury and Otago in the South Island. This is because we have relatively little air pollution compared with many other countries, and less ozone, which makes the UV rays in our sunlight very strong. Air New Zealand has an engineering centre at Christchurch airport that employs many people. A two-bedroom apartment in a good location will set you back anywhere from $450 $600 per week. PHOTO/LUCAIS DAVIES. You will need to update your CV to match the Kiwi style! This is especially true in winter, where youre much more likely to have days of rain and windy storms. The entire area of _____ is the driest and windiest place on the planet. Learn languages in no time with iTalki! An example of a rich forest community that would have once covered the . After a 1931 earthquake that drastically changed the coastline, Napiers city center is now very near sea level. Cycling is a big focus in the region with many cycle trails such as the Waikato River trail that runs 105km. Note that this pattern is shared with places like Abel Tasman National Park and Golden Bay where lots of beaches are located. Once you get a taste of the Wanaka lifestyle, youll never want to leave its just too beautiful! 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! Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch are some of the best places to live in New Zealand for expats. Id like to start by saying that Im not a meteorologist. Milford Sound Milford Sound is the wettest inhabited place in New Zealand, and one of the wettest places in the world! It is one of the driest places on Earth and has not seen rain for nearly two million years. Summer orautumnwould be the best time to visit Blenheim withFebruarylooking the best. This is good news for beachgoers who flock to beaches in summer. All rights reserved. Many travelers take the Interislander Ferry from Wellington to Picton, at the top of the South Island, and drive west to the Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand's smallest national park. If you want to experience the true Kiwi lifestyle, then we would recommend Rotorua, Hawkes Bay, or Queenstown. So winter would be the best time to visit this region because neighboring areas also get rain inspring. Or, take to the warm waters and see if you can spot dolphins, seals, penguins, and even whales. Located on the east cape of the North Island and protected by high country to its west, Gisborne constantly sees the highest temperatures across all of New Zealand and is also the first city in the world to greet the sun of a new day. In addition, the city has a very high crime rate, and its not a particularly safe place to live. Christchurch also has a number of hospitals and retirement homes. The cheapest place to live in New Zealand is probably Invercargill. This is made up of very reasonable housing costs (NZ$500), utilities (NZ$150), internet & mobile (NZ$160), transport (NZ$200), groceries (NZ$600), and eating out / entertainment (NZ$400). The best places to eat in Ubud. Mountain chains extending the length of New Zealand provide a barrier for the prevailing westerly winds, dividing the country into dramatically different climate regions. What is the chance of a warm summer in Invercargill? 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. Here youll find most of the major companies of New Zealand, and global companies, operating in the Central Business District (CBD). As NewZealand observes Daylight Saving, daylight can last up until 9.30pm during summer months. Bush walks and hiking are great options now as, in NewZealand is the best time to visit if. low 12c (53F) Avg . While many ski fields open in June, the highest snowfall is usually throughout July and August. #Climate data were sourced from the National Climate Database, CliFlo, with all data from mainland New Zealand stations included. Badass female expat with a passion for making new countries my home. Where is the coldest place in New Zealand? This datum was archived into the National Climate Database, CliFlo,on 26 February 2009. Hawkes Bay is a region located on the east coast of New Zealands North Island. Sunshine hours are relatively high in areas that are sheltered from the west and most of New Zealand would have at least 2000 hours annually. Overall, Devonport is a great place to live if you want to be close to Auckland but still have a more laid-back lifestyle. The windiest and driest place on earth is _____. Auckland is the best place to live in New Zealand for business positions. This is my favourite luggage set for long term travel. Weve had people praying, people dancing for the rain I might have to start myself.. From November through April, the average high is between 20 and 25 C (68 and 76 F), and with more beaches in the region than we could possibly name, you wont have to fight for your perfect spot on the golden sand. like sunshine but fewer crowds, then autumn is a fantastic time to visit. Find out what's best for you with our practical advice on travel and transport in New Zealand. Cost of living in Mount Maunganui is fairly similar to other urban areas of New Zealand. Grab your lizard goggles and climb some rocks, spy some bugs and soak up the sun at one of the driest places in New Zealand. The town of Alexandra in central Otago has an annual rainfall of less than 400mm. Dont expect to show up in a tank top all year, though. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. Individuals (or couples) can save costs by house-sharing, which is very popular with the student population. Schultz/Brown University Conversely, cheaper options are available with stunning rooms available for under $300 per week. Blenheimseems to follow the weather patterns of theNorth Island, so the most rain falls in winter and spring. Were interested in how you are using this information and whether its useful let us know by emailing [emailprotected]. So catch aferry from Wellington to Pictonand then drive or fly to, for example, Nelson and then drive. Because of this, there are lots of original and exciting restaurants bars, and activities to balance a hard days work. Invercargill is the southernmost city in New Zealand, and its not somewhere we would recommend living. Yes, many regions of New Zealand see snow in the winter months of June through August. The West Coast of the South Island is the wettest area of New Zealand, whereas the area to the east of the mountains, just over 100 km away, is the driest. Whakatane in the North Island's Bay of Plenty district, is the sunniest place in New . Despite this, living in Queenstown is a truly wonderful experience with an abundance of awesome hikes, adrenaline sports like bungee jumping, skiing, and mountain biking on offer its no wonder this mountain town attracts so many expats. These cities have a subtropical climate, and they offer a great lifestyle. Everything Ive written here is based on a combination of experience living and traveling in New Zealand, and research using scientific and non-scientific data and charts. Devonport is a beautiful, historic seaside town located on Aucklands North Shore. Based on the average yearly high of 19.7 C (67.6 F), Whangarei is the warmest place in New Zealand. These cities have low crime rates and are generally very safe places to live. The West Coast of the South Island is the wettest area of New Zealand, whereas the area to the east of the mountains, just over 100 km away, is the driest. The climate here is mild and sunny, making it perfect for outdoor activities. You can expect to spend around $1,500 NZD on rent and $1,000 NZD on general expenses. These cities offer a great lifestyle, plenty of work opportunities, and a vibrant nightlife. Then there are those who want to live in the countryside, surrounded by nature. Outside the city, endless stretches of beautiful landscapes beg to be explored. The Bay of Plenty is a region located on the east coast of New Zealands North Island. Queenstown 9. Located on the east cape of the North Island and protected by high country, the entire year sees pleasant temperatures with minimal rainfall. Yes, it is relatively easy to immigrate to New Zealand. Soil conditions along Wairarapas coast have been labelled extremely dry on the New Zealand Drought Index. One Central Otago town was the driest place in the country last year, while another recorded the highest temperature in what was our second-warmest year on record. Queenstown and Wanaka in the South Island and the Central Plateau in the North Island are the most popular spots for skiing and snowboarding. Just be sure to have a raincoat on hand as moderate rainfall is experienced all year round. While not a large country exactly, New Zealand spreads about 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) from the top of North Island to the bottom of South Island - the two main islands. The cost of living in New Zealand can be expensive, depending on your lifestyle. This rarely visited region south of the Bay of Islands is a hidden gem on New Zealand's North Island. When I lived in Auckland, I had three roommates, and my rent was still just under $1,000 NZD because I was in the CBD. 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. ), Wise.com is a great solution. 9 terms. Located on the South Islands east coast, Christchurch is a story of two halves. The city has a population of around 50,000 people, and the cost of living is relatively affordable. Auckland 6. December - February Average daytime temperature: 20 - 25C (68 - 77F), March - May Average daytime temperature: 17 - 21C (62 - 70F), June - August Average daytime temperature: 12 - 16C (53 - 61F), September - November Average daytime temperature: 16 - 19C (61 - 66F). 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. Best for epic landscapes. Devonport 11. Overall, Rotorua is a great place to live if you want to experience the true Kiwi lifestyle. Auckland 2. Tutukaka Coast. There are a lot of great places to live in New Zealand, and it really depends on what youre looking for. Snow typically falls during the months of June through to October, though cold snaps can occur outside of this. NZ temperature 1981-2010 (click to enlarge), Climate - NZ annual sunshine hours 1981-2010 (click to enlarge), Air quality monitoring with low-cost sensors, Science to respond to our changing climate: teaching climate adaptation, Rangi - weather and climate lessons for teachers, Using trigonometric functions to model climate, Weather plots: temperature and relative humidity. Whangarei 5. However, you should keep in mind that rent prices are comparatively high, and affordable apartments can be tricky to find. You can find work abroad via local job boards or temp agencies. A welcome mat composed of billions of tiny carbon tubes could one day suck water out of thin air, even in the driest places on Earth. It very rarely snows in the coastal areas of the North Island, although they experience some heavy overnight frosts in winter. I'm on a mission to empower every young woman to stop waiting to move abroad. Consider your reasons for wanting to move to New Zealand, and make sure that its the right decision for you. The basic cost of living in Dunedin is roughly NZ$2,000 per month for a couple. 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. In New Zealand generally there are relatively small variations between summer and winter temperatures, although inland and to the east of the ranges the variation is greater (up to 14C). 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. The advance . One thing to keep in mind is that public transportation isnt as readily available in Devonport as it is in other parts of Auckland, so you may need to factor in the cost of a car when budgeting. Best places to live in New Zealand for expats, cost of living on Waiheke Island is similar to the cost of living in Auckland. 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. Are you looking for a community of like-minded adventurers to share your experiences with? 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. Theres good reason Auckland is New Zealands most populous city. Instead of June through August being the summer months, New Zealand enjoys summer in December through February. Travelling in the shoulder seasons can be a good idea as youll often find more availability and better rates on accommodation and activities. 2023 Nina Out and About - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP - Privacy Policy, 13 Best Places to Live in New Zealand At a Glance, Wrap Up: Best Places to Live in New Zealand, FAQs about the Best Places to Live in New Zealand. Summerwould be the best time to visit this region withFebruarybeing the best month to get the least amount of rain. I lived in New Zealand for a year, living in Auckland. Note that the same area southeast of Blenheim that receives the least amount of rain, is also one of the areas that has the most hours of sunshine during the year.