nic.gem.soph

Hi, me and the family are heading out for a 2 week recie in a weeks time (19th aaahhh) round the north island, focusing on Auckland, Hamilton and Welly.
For all the car owners out there in the 3 places, please help, can you name any decent garages? OH is a mechanic and job hunting whilst there. Do they have any main dealers like over here that specialise in certain models, or are they all mixed? Or are they all little dealers that wouldn't employ the best mechanic in the south west of england?!

Also, (sorry) in the 3 towns, where are the best places to be living with a family of 2 small children (age not size!) not right in the centre but good suburbs.... lots of quiet streets they can play outside, so we can have a good drive around.

I'll probably think of lots more questions in the next week, watch this space and thank you to everyone for all your help and advice.

Nicola

littleal

Hi - we're in Hamilton and there are big dealerships and small workshops just like in the UK. The extra dimension is the Japanese import, whereby some dealers specialise in selling new imports. Japanese car experience would be an advantage here, not necessarily your husband's nationality.

We live in Hillcrest and it is an older suburb near the University, with a mixture of students and regular citizens. It depends on your priorities - do you want a new house or is schooling important to you?

Enjoy your reccie.
Alison

newt

Ooh, 'tis been a long time since I lived in the North, I grew up in the Waikato, but of the places you mention, Hamilton would be my pick, Cambridge if you're well heeled, or maybe Matamata.

Can't recommend any dealers, not that side of the Strait

We all are desperate for mechanics in Central Otago right now, the District Council is paying businesses to go to South Africa to find staff.

Good region, population 95% white people, lots of Pommie migrants, everyone will love you, good schools, Junior is playing soccer now, you won't be a stranger.

Think about it, at least. Climate? Think Scotland, but with a real summer.

nic.gem.soph

thanks for the info guys. We'll have to drive round a lot.
Thanks Newt but I though the south island was supposed to be colder than the north, I prefer warmer...

nic.gem.soph

thanks Alison, am not so worried about a new house, schooling would be more important although am thinking far into the future as oldest is only 3! In UK am living in the wrong area to go to the decent school, didn't realise at the time of moving. Am learning from mistakes and don't want to do it again...

nic