Good weather spots in NZ

[Everyoneknows]

Hi all,

We are looking for a place to settle and want to get it right - moving is no fun!

Mostly we're looking for a place, somewhat near a coast, that suits our weather preferences, which are:

* As little wind as possible
* As many sunshine hours as possible

Cold is fine. Small towns or tiny settlements are fine.

I'm from Whakatane but the house prices are just too steep there (plus it's on a massive flood plain).

We've been looking into Oamaru, but now I'm reading about a 'persistent easterly'. We currently live in Featherston, formerly Wellington, and we have a decent case of wind PTSD. Featherston must be THE gustiest place in New Zealand!

So where else is worth considering? Timaru? Banks Peninsula?

Any thoughts much appreciated!

[TonyT]

Central Otago, Nelson, Northland.

[snowstormwatcher]

I've spent 14 years in the Timaru and South Canterbury area and find the climate here very sheltered with not much wind or rain. Its a bit of Frost hollow in winter and can often has persistant cloud at times in summer with the Easterly. Oamaru is very similar but with less Frost in winter.

[tgsnoopy]

Hi all,

We are looking for a place to settle and want to get it right - moving is no fun!

Mostly we're looking for a place, somewhat near a coast, that suits our weather preferences, which are:

* As little wind as possible
* As many sunshine hours as possible

Cold is fine. Small towns or tiny settlements are fine.

I'm from Whakatane but the house prices are just too steep there (plus it's on a massive flood plain).

We've been looking into Oamaru, but now I'm reading about a 'persistent easterly'. We currently live in Featherston, formerly Wellington, and we have a decent case of wind PTSD. Featherston must be THE gustiest place in New Zealand!

So where else is worth considering? Timaru? Banks Peninsula?

Any thoughts much appreciated!

I have friends who have sold up in Tauranga & relocated to Oamaru, they rave about how friendly the people are and how moderate the weather is. I visit them at least once a year down there. I've missed the boat as the prices down there have climbed considerably since they went. Good luck & choose carefully.

[NZ Thunderstorm Soc]

Geraldine is a nice place although we get 'clagg' and good frosts in the winter time, well here in Raukapuka.
I'm thinking Blenheim or Seddon, maybe?

[Everyoneknows]

Thanks all! Very helpful!

[Everyoneknows]

I've spent 14 years in the Timaru and South Canterbury area and find the climate here very sheltered with not much wind or rain. Its a bit of Frost hollow in winter and can often has persistant cloud at times in summer with the Easterly. Oamaru is very similar but with less Frost in winter.

Snowstormwatcher - So the Easterly isn't enough to bother you then? We wouldn't be moving to the Wellington (or Featherston) of the south?

Here the winds are worst in the Spring - is that the same down Timaru/Oamaru way?

[snowstormwatcher]

I've spent 14 years in the Timaru and South Canterbury area and find the climate here very sheltered with not much wind or rain. Its a bit of Frost hollow in winter and can often has persistant cloud at times in summer with the Easterly. Oamaru is very similar but with less Frost in winter.

Snowstormwatcher - So the Easterly isn't enough to bother you then? We wouldn't be moving to the Wellington (or Featherston) of the south?

Here the winds are worst in the Spring - is that the same down Timaru/Oamaru way?

Wind isn't a issue In the Timaru/Oamaru area it's probably one of the least windiest coastal areas in nz. Yes spring and summer would be the windiest times of year here.

Regarding the Easterly, it's only really a issue in summertime and its more the persistant cloud cover that is a pain rather than wind. The cloud often lingers inland along the hunter hills behind Waimate up to Fairlie rather than coastal areas like Timaru.

[NZstorm]

I've spent 14 years in the Timaru and South Canterbury area and find the climate here very sheltered with not much wind or rain. Its a bit of Frost hollow in winter and can often has persistant cloud at times in summer with the Easterly. Oamaru is very similar but with less Frost in winter.

Yes, I quite like Timaru as a town. Timaru's average annual sunshine is 1800hours, passable. The climate there is very dry

[NZ Thunderstorm Soc]

I've spent 14 years in the Timaru and South Canterbury area and find the climate here very sheltered with not much wind or rain. Its a bit of Frost hollow in winter and can often has persistant cloud at times in summer with the Easterly. Oamaru is very similar but with less Frost in winter.

Yes, I quite like Timaru as a town. Timaru's average annual sunshine is 1800hours, passable. The climate there is very dry

What about Pleasant Point?
As they say as you drive into the town along SH8 from the Fairlie end, "The Name Says It All" and also they have a railway here if you like steam trains and Model T Ford railcars

[Awhituobs]

Motueka?
(although afternoon sea breezes in summer)

[03Stormchaser]

I've always thought Nelson, Motueka area. But not only because of the weather but also the location to National Parks and beaches etc

[Awhituobs]

we have just hiked and camped the Able Tasman
great weather
amazing scenery