What can you tell me about New Zealand?

beach shelter new zealand image

[)el!r!0u$

Is it nice there?
Where do you live, have you been there?
How are the people there?
Is it safe be out late?
Is there a lot of crime there?
How is the weather there?
What would the people think about a South African-muslim living there?
What would the people think about a South African living there?

Answer
It is nice in NZ.
Mostly the country is an emerald green compared to Australia's grey-blue greens and bare reds. The farm lands are seen fairly close to cities and they extend to the next town creating a lovely open feeling to the small country.

The coastlines of the west cost that I have seen are rugged surf strewn wild places that draw surfers by the dozen. Some places do have dangerous rips, but the locals know where to avoid.
The beaches here tend to be more black sand rather than the white I'm used to in Australia. The east coast that I've seen is just as wild, rocky and surf strewn as the west coast, but is the more sheltered of the two.
The northern Bay of Islands is the prettiest as it is very sheltered and more tropical and has the white sand.

There are a lot of deciduous trees planted through out NZ that give lovely Autumn colours of red and gold and the autumn is more noticeable here than in Sydney.

The roads are mostly well made, but they seem to specialize in building roads with so many sharp curves and less of the straight roads, though I found the straight roads in the South Island. I also found a lot of tunnels built for both road and rail. Something almost foreign in Australia!
I have found NZ roads have a lot of driving to the kilometer, compared to Australia's many kilometers to the drive.

The geography is built from volcanic activity and from being on an active plate fold. It makes for interesting landforms in a compact area. You will find active volcanic areas, areas that were obviously formed from previous volcanic activity and impressive alps, rugged terrain, along with undulating plains, large rivers, areas of high rain fall and areas with low rainfall.

As to being out late... I dont know what the cities are like, but the country seems to be tucked in with lights out around 7 to 8pm. I noticed that when driving home last week from Invercargill. (bottom of the South Island)
I was one of few cars on the road at 7pm in Christchurch and the next night, almost had the road to myself from 7 pm to 10pm while driving from Wellington to New Plymouth. Most of the service stations were closed for the night. Lucky I didnt need to refuel!

The people are generally nice, friendly, practical, down to earth and helpful. There are some "not so nice ones" here too, but unless you actively go looking for them, you dont seem to attract them.
If you read the internet news or papers, they seem to concentrate on doom and gloom and the crime, but I have had no problem so far. Like the other two replies have said, locking doors etc is sometimes forgotten!

The weather at the moment, for me, is freezing cold! It is a full 11.0C degrees inside and cooler out.
It has been raining/sleeting here and is snowing on the mountain (Mt Egmont) and snowing on the Southern Alps and snowing on the Northern Platteau of the North Island.

The summer was a mild 27 to 29C degrees that was sunny and pleasant. With Mt Egmont so close, New Plymouth has its own weather generator and winters tend to be wet and cold, Summers warm and dry and Autumn/Spring tend to be cool and increasingly wet going into winter and increasingly dry going into summer. There are 4 definate seasons here.

I like living here.

where do i scuba dive for crayfish in new zealand?

matthew n

i live in auckland and have been diving for 2 years. i have only found a few cray and would love to get some more. do you know any good spots preferably on the north island?

Answer
Aerial Reef:
Aerial Reef is renowned for its game fishing, plentiful crayfish and exciting dive spots.

Located 10 km, south east of Tatapouri on the East Coast of New Zealand, it is situated close to the continental shelf and expands over a large area, ranging in depth from ten to forty metres.

Not only is Aerial Reef one of the East Coastâs top diving locations, it is also ranked highly as one of New Zealand Diving's top sites.

It is home to an abundant sea floor of crayfish and reef fish. As the warm currents sweep through it creates a changing underwater scenery and atmosphere.

A fun, unique dive spot, all year round.


Hicks Bay - Lottin Point:

Hicks Bay, New Zealandâs most easterly settlement located 186 km from Gisborne, is a radiant bay of flowing beaches nestled with rock ledges perfect for diving. An 18 km drive through unsealed farm land, off the main state highway, is where Lottin Point, a world class spot for diving and fishing is located.

The secluded reefs, one of the finest spots in New Zealand, offer clear, sparkling water and an array of milti-coloured marine life, enabling a spectular dive especially during the warmer months, November to March.

The East Coastâs mild climate and picturesque coastal scenery add to the relaxing experience of this secluded section of coast.


Mahia Peninsula:

Mahia Peninsula is located 78 km to the south of Gisborne on the East Coast, and features as a sought after dive spot of New Zealand.

Itâs clear waters and variety of colourful marine and fish life, make it an attractive spot for diving, fishing and surfing.

Popular during the summer season, Black Reef, situated at the base of Mahia Peninsula, is frequently visited due to the diversity of marine life and cosy rock pool inlets.

The Tongariro wreck

The vessel was en route from Auckland to Wellington when, on the evening of August 30, 1916m she struck on Bull Rock, off Portland Island, and became a total wreck.
Several large cracks soon appeared in the steamers hull. The crew, numbering 96, all told, were rescued be several steamers and conveyed to Napier.
Captain Harry Makepeace, master of the vessel, was on the bridge when, at about 7pm, the Tongariro struck. The steamer appeared to have struck the rock at the stern, and this forced the bow into deep water. Some time later the ships lights went out, but those on board could see that the vessel had listed considerably. Owing to this list considerable difficulty was experienced in lowering the boats from the portside which was high in the air.
Several members of the crew substained minor injuries when the boats were being launched.

The Tongariro was steaming at a fair speed when she truck with a terrific crash. The vessel broke in two, right across No. 3 bold, and the hull and cargo were soon completely destroyed.

The Tongariro was a steel, twin screw steamer of 8073 tons gross & 5220 tons net register. Dimensions were length 457 ft, beam 58ft, depth 30.5ft.

The loss of the Tongariro, which would be unfortunate at any time, was rendered double regrettable at that particular period by the great shortage of shipping for the conveyance of the worlds merchandise caused by the German unrestricted submarine warfare.


Makarori Beach:

Nationally recognised for itâs excellent surf, golden, sandy beaches and safe swimming spot, Makarori Beach on the East Coast also features as a spectacular diving location.

12 km from the township of Gisborne lies an enjoyable settlement of rock formations, reefs, sheltered coves and extensive marine life.

While exploring the pools and inlets you will discover the many treasures that add a unique flavour to the area, including sponges, soft corals, limpets, starfish, crabs and crayfish.


Tatapouri:

Tatapouri is a large reef recognised as a prime fishing location and dive spot of the Eastland region.

Located 14 km from Gisborne City, on the route around the East Coast, it features many species of vegetation and marine life including crayfish, paua and kina, clustered beneath the oceanâs surface.

A remote New Zealand dive site, that boasts a boat ramp, warm tropical currents and climate in a lush, untouched environment, will reward any prospective diver.

Loisels Beach, just up the Coast from Tatapouri, is also a great place to snorkel and dive.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What is the weather like in Aussie?

beach shelter new zealand image

Carolina

What is the weather like in Australia and New Zealand right now?

Answer
Australia is a large island continent in the southern hemisphere with a diverse range of climate zones. These vary from tropical regions in the north through the arid expanses of the interior to temperate regions in the south.

Seasonal fluctuations can be great with temperatures ranging from above 50 ° Celsius to well below zero. Minimum temperatures are moderated by the lack of mountains and the influence of surrounding oceans.

Australia is relatively arid, with 80% of the land having a rainfall less than 600 millimetres per year and 50% having even less than 300 millimetres.

Most Australians live near the wetter more moderate south eastern coasts primarily in major cities.

Australia is bisected by the tropic of Capricorn; much of Australia is closer to the equator than any part of the USA. Accordingly, the northern Australia enjoys a tropical climate, and southern Australia a temperate one.

The tropical states Queensland and the Northern Territory have highly predictable weather. In ``winter'', typical daily maximums are from 20 to 24 degrees Celsius (68 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit) and rain is rare. The beaches and tropical islands of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef are perhaps at their most pleasant at this time of year. Further south, the weather is less dependable; in Melbourne in August maximums as low as 13 (56F) degrees are possible, but can reach as high as 23 (72F) degrees.

In summer, the northern states are hotter and wetter, while the southern states are simply hotter, with temperatures up to 41 (105F) in Sydney, Adelaide, and Melbourne but generally between 25 and 33 - very pleasant indeed.

Snow is rare in the southernmost capitals Melbourne and Hobart, falling less than once every ten years, and in the other capitals it is unknown. However, there are extensive, well-developed ski fields in the Great Dividing Range, a few hours drive from Melbourne and Sydney. Late August marks the peak of the snow season, and the ski resorts are a popular destination; perhaps too popular for some tastes. An alternative skiing destination is New Zealand, which provides skiers with excellent snow and facilities at lower cost.

As for New Zealand, its climate is complex and varies from warm subtropical in the far north to cool temperate climates in the far south, with severe alpine conditions in the mountainous areas.

Mountain chains extending the length of New Zealand provide a barrier for the prevailing westerly winds, dividing the country into dramatically different climate regions. 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.

Most areas of New Zealand have between 600 and 1600 mm of rainfall, spread throughout the year with a dry period during the summer. Over the northern and central areas of New Zealand more rainfall falls in winter than in summer, whereas for much of the southern part of New Zealand, winter is the season of least rainfall.

Mean annual temperatures range from 10°C in the south to 16°C in the north of New Zealand. The coldest month is usually July and the warmest month is usually January or February. 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 14°C). Temperatures also drop about 0.7°C for every 100 m of altitude.

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. 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. Autumn and spring UVI values can be high in most areas.

Most snow in New Zealand falls in the mountain areas. 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. Frosts can occur anywhere in New Zealand and usually form on cold nights with clear skies and little wind.

did Polynesian peoples visit and temporarily settle sub-antartic islands?

Kevin7

Answer
The Auckland Islands are considerably different than Norfolk and the Kermadecs. They are a sub-Antarctic archipelago, with a harsh, cold, windy climate, situated about 300 miles south of the South Island of New Zealand. Incredibly, evidence is emerging that prehistoric Polynesians voyaged to these islands on the edge of the Antarctic; a truly astounding feat of seamanship and endurance. Archaeologists are still uncovering the tenuous evidence for these most far-flung of the Polynesian discoverers, and as yet we know little about their settlement, which took place in the 13th and 14th centuries. There is one archaeological site at Sandy Bay on Enderby Island, a small island to the north of the main Auckland Island. Enderby has the best habitat of the archipelago, and is relatively sheltered from the prevailing winds. There is also easy access to nearby seal colonies. Various archaeological relics had been collected from Sandy Bay over the years, but excavations in the late 1990s by Atholl Anderson finally proved that the site had been occupied 600-700 years ago.

In the 19th century, during historic times, Polynesians once again settled in the Aucklands for about 20 years, this time arriving by European sailing ship. These were Taranaki Maoris from the Chatham Islands, accompanied by their Moriori slaves. This settlement was not successful, and the survivors were evacuated back to the South Island in the 1850s.
http://www.lanecc.edu/library/don/norfolk.htm#auckland

The only true archaeological monument of sub-Antarctic islands is Polynesian settlement in Sandy Bay, Enderby Island. Here was found Polynesian earth oven with bones of sea lions, birds. Nearby were found flakes of chert and basalt. Polynesians settled here around 1350 AD and lived for at least one year here - but possibly for a longer time period. http://www.wondermondo.com/Auckland.htm

The other area was at Sandy Bay, Enderby Island. A boulder beach ridge there reaches about 2.0m above mean HTM, and it is overlain by a 470m-long foredune up to 1.2m deep, the only substantial area of sand dunes in the archipelago. The dune contains discrete deposits of blackened sand and cultural items which occur as a single layer, generally 0.25m thick, but up to 0.5m, enclosed by lower and upper palaeosols (Figure 2). The lower of these has a maximum age of about 2800 BP (McFadgen & Yaldwyn 1984), and the upper palaeosol, formed after abandonment of prehistoric occupation but before nineteenth-century deforestation and the introduction of domestic stock and rabbits, led to partial remobilisation of the dunes. That process allowed deposition of bottle glass and fragments of clay tobacco pipes on exposed parts of the prehistoric layer (Anderson 2003a).

Excavation of 5.0[m.sup.2] site at area X (Figure 1) disclosed a Polynesian earth oven, 2m in diameter, containing basalt cobbles, charcoal and abundant midden of mussel shell, and sea lion and bird bone. Midden was sparse nearby, but flakes and cores of chert and basalt were relatively numerous, suggesting an adjacent processing area. Material from the cultural layer was screened to 3mm where the matrix was sandy, but where it was sticky clay-loam, which resisted water sieving, the material was spread out on plastic sheets and picked through carefully by hand.

Test pits showed that this site represents a single phase of occupation on an area of 70-100[m.sup.2]. A similar site of comparable size and contents is largely eroded out at area S, 180m to the east. An uneroded midden there, S5, was test excavated (0.5[m.sup.2]) and the deflated area around it shows that the site comprised a cluster of at least seven ovens and associated middens and flake tools. On its periphery were the oven (area C) and midden scatter (area A), investigated in 1998 (Anderson & O'Regan 2000).

Combined, areas A, C, S and X extend over about 250[m.sup.2]. Systematic coring and spade pits along the entire foredune revealed no other cultural deposits of prehistoric provenance. It is possible that an originally extensive site has been largely lost by water, wind and bioerosion, but as the distribution of flaked chert in deflated dune swales along the foredune correlates closely with the location of the present prehistoric deposits, it is more probable that prehistoric occupation was limited and brief.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb3284/is_306_79/ai_n29232977/

Powered by Yahoo! Answers