Ghosty or other NZ mnetters

[robinpud]

you have all been very helpful with places to visit for our month in NZ but just wanted to check with you re clothes for January. I am thinking it will be variable like our summer so will have waterproofs thro to beach wear. I know I can buy it there, but can't face wasting time shopping. The autumn winter stuff is coming thr' now so am trying to make sure I have bought stuff for the kids NOW before t- shirts etc dispapear.
Any tips re weather and clothes for a month in a campervan in January please?

Hi in jan/feb we were in campervan in NZ in summer clothes in 2002 but it was a very dry year

the evenings can be cooler

It is deffo brill fun

Has HOT WATER BEACH been suggested???

deffo brill fun

Hi robinpud, I am new to NZ, moved here with Kiwi Partner and DS in May, but we were here for three months in 2005/6. For me the highlight of our visit was the house we rented in the Coromandel, absolutely stunning. Also Marlborough sounds in the north of the south Island was lovely. We had a book which listed houses and batches for private let all over new zealand we found this really helpfull as it gave details of amenities close to each house. I shall find out the name of the book for you if you're interested. We were here from December to March and used lots of sunblock!

I am in the South and it does depend a bit where you will be. Generally Jan and Feb are lovely months to come with temps ranging anything from teens to thirties. When we go away over summer, I go for a couple of warm items just in case but mostly hot weather gear. Our sun is pretty intense too so if you can get rash suits (depending on age of kids) theya re good and 30+ sunscreen.

It all depends but I would pack layers. Those zip off pants are great as they can quickly convert to shorts for the beach and back to pants if the sandflies come out or it gets cold.

We went to central otago last Jan and were totally freezing, and then the next week were too hot in Christchurch. So you never know.

An ideal outfit to wear (or have in boot of car)from top down.

a hat with a brim (keeps heads warm or cool)
a T shirt
a long sleeved shirt or light sweatshirt
a polar fleece jacket or pull on top
a rain jacket (that folds away to a square)
Zippy pants
Comfy walking shoes/trainers

Then you can pile everything on, or wear the T shirt and rain coat for a warm shower.

I would recommend a rash suit if you are spending any time on the beach - the sun is fierce and will get through a T shirt no problems.

We came over for a holiday before we moved here and the first thing we had to do was go buy more clothing for first thing in the morning as MIL house was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO cold.

If you do need something in a hurry, the Warehouse or Farmers will both have sales on and are very cheap.

threebob- that sounds really useful and is along the lines I was thinking. Kids are 9 and 5.. do kids that old wear the rash suits? I presume a rash suit is something uv proof. We can get them here, but I think that might be best bought down under to cope with the hotter sun.

Hi robinpud (ghosty here but I changed my name ) ....
Threebob has answered your question re clothes and layers ...
It is usually hot in January but it is wise not to rely on that as NZ weather can be unpredictable ... For example - out of 5 xmases in NZ I have only experienced one nice sunny hot one ... But December is notoriously unpredictable - whereas January is usually much nicer.

Re. rash suits - Yes - older kids do wear them - it really is a necessity here. My DS actually wears swimming shorts and a rash shirt (not an all in one) - in fact my DH has a rash shirt for the beach (but he is very fair and burns easily). They are really cheap in the Warehouse and Farmers ($20 in Farmers, $15 in the Warehouse? And as 3bob says, in January you will have the sales so they will be cheaper)

long Shorts and a rash vest for boys, and for tweenie and teen girls.

I would buy them here - they are easy to get and probably much cheaper. I bought bob's (rash vest)from the supermarket for $4.

You are all helpful- thanks {grin]
Right, will rely on picking them up at supermarket on arrival. At least that is something we won't have to bring... dh wants to bring climbing stuff, ice axe, rope etc. Our baggage allwaonce is 4x 20kg.. chortle chortle

Remind me nearer the time and I will let you know which supermarket has them.

Thnaks threebob- I did google the Warehouse website and see they have quite a lot of branches. we pick the van up from auckland late afternoon so will spend 1 night near auckland before heading up to the coromandel peninsula, so will try and get to a Warehouse then.

dammit
have the warehouse jingle in my head now...

robinpud, no useful advice from me, am not in NZ yet, but have a great holiday!

There's a Warehouse at Auckland airport just as you're driving out.

tnagox3.. how useful. We are being picked up by the campervan people on the 30th of December. Someonen is staying late in the office as it closes at midday. I want to get food etc asap as new year is a big nz holiday.. isn't it?

I am so grateful for all the help NZ mnetters have provided. If there's any way I can reciprocate let me know.

Remember that New Year here is 2 days - we get the 2nd off as well. Having said that everything shop wise will be open both days for food. You will witness panic buying, but there really isn't a need for it.

Ah, that's really helpful.. yet again threebob. I had sort of assumed that it would be like the uk where new year's day does actually mean a lot of food shops close. So I was wondering how to fill what will probably be the tiniest fridge ever seen with enough food to see us through 3 or 4 days. I can relax a bit.. and go back to playing with google earth to check out the beaches. Wow!

I thought shops shut on New Year's Day here?? I may be wrong because I don't think I have ever gone shopping on NY day ....
But yes, we have 2 public holidays at New Year so beware that cafes and restaurants charge more on Public Holidays (and weekends).

They shut Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas day by law. Town centre shops tend to stay closed on 1st January, but no law to stop supermarkets opening.

A big petrol station will sell most things even if everything else is shut.

Charging more at weekends - is this an Auckland thing?

It must be ... ever since they made the cafes and restauraunts pay time and a half to their staff on public holidays and sundays - so now many cafes have put their prices up on those days to 'afford' it ...

Auckland prices are getting ridiculous now ...

You should all stop going out as a protest.

hi Robinpud
make sure you buy groceries in Auckland or Thames before going any further up the Coromandel Peninsula if possible as the Coromandel is a popular destination and therefore more expensive and I would wait till after New Years Eve before going up the Peninsula as it's a popular place with the young people to clebrate New Years and sometimes there's trouble.
Don't forget to get some good Mozzie repellent (available from chemists and supermarkets) you will need it.
Hope this helps have a great holiday and if you're planning passing through Hamilton I could show aroud this area if interested.

Hi there. Just a newbie Mumsnetter here, living out of Kerikeri on dairy farm with dh and ds (just turned 1) Any other far northers out there?? Or is that pretty unlikely

I don't know any Mnetters that far north - but welcome. I am in Christchurch.