So I keep reading about how cold the houses are in NZ, however some can we quite warm if you get the right equipment by the looks of things.
In england I'd just look for double glazing, and good loft insulation, and of course Central heating. But is sounds like you have to look for different things in NZ. Heat pumps? what are they never heard of them...

So when looking for a property what things should look for in order to keep warm - and I might need a little education on some of this equipment I am unfamiliar with

looking at a budget of $700 per week...not sure if that will make any difference.

Assuming you mean to rent??... If so I'd invest in some good heaters of your own and a dehumidifier that you can take wherever you go. Then avoid southern slopes or a house that is in a 'dip', stay away from plaster or anything that 'smells damp'. Then assume that you're going to have a huge power bill during the colder months. All the extras you mention are what you install into a house you buy and you'll be lucky to get them in a rental.

Just to confuse the issue further, a lot of homes, particularly further North are designed to deal with hot weather! You will probably be renting so you can stock up on Electric heaters pretty cheaply.

If I was looking at a house positive things in terms of temperature might be (not in this order):

• No signs of mold or damp (look for evidence of leaks)
• double-glazing (rare in Auckland, more common down South I believe)
• insulation
• heat pump (which works as air con too - here in Auckland we have it on in the summer and winter.)
• woodburner (great in a power cut which you get here more often than in SE England)
• Check the hot water tank is big enough for your needs
• Large windows and glass doors - good in terms of warming rooms if they let the sunshine in, not so good when not double glazed because they get cold. Nice to have lots of light coming in though. Can lead to overheated rooms in summer.

I agree that a dehumidifier is a good investment, especially if you are renting. This and the electric heaters will probably come in useful wherever you live.

Usually Kiwis will recommend you invest in an extra sweater and some concrete pills.

The right equipment for bedtime might also includes some sexy thermal underwear, polarfleece onesie, a beanie, electric blanket and flannelette sheets.

agree with Bo Jangles, get your thermals before you come. men as well. My hubby used to be au naturel in the UK but even he wears fleecy jammies in bed now and we have invested in heated blanket. Heat pumps are well and good but once turned off thats it no residue heat.
Double glazing isn't as UK and does not act the same, unless you get a new build where it might be.
Don't book a rental for more than 6mths, if it has problems you will want to get out as soon as possible as the landlord is unlikely to make things better as there is always someone else to take it on.

Just a note, kiwi friend of ours has been in bed all day with heated blanket on to keep warm as they have no fire wood for the wood burner so it's not just us poms that suffer from the cold

Hi, just coming in on this thread, we have just rented a bungalow that doesn't have double glazing or a heat pump, but it does have 2 gas wall heaters and we are told, wall and ceiling insulation, underlay under the carpet and wait for it.....under floor heating in the very small ensuite
So my question is what heaters should we buy, electric, oil filled, 5 fins, 10 Fins etc etc. any particular makes best?
Thanks in advanced

your pulling my leg...that sounds like bloody camping!

why is the housing so poor in NZ? I don't just don't understand - surely developers have said we're going to raise standards?

we have a oil heater and a electric heater if you need to borrow some

Ooh may take you up on that until we find out exactly what we need by living in it. See you Wednesday, looking forward to it

they are now getting things a bit better but you will be lucky to find a new build that is for rent.
most places are wooden construction to stand up to the earthquakes. some areas, like ours, do no have main gas so can't have central heating.

ok will put them in the boot, unless you don't want them yet, along with a pick axe and bow saw to return to Mary

I wear a beanie to bed or sleep with my head under the duvet otherwise you wake up with a mega headache from the cold.

Camping, yes it can often feel that way. I forgot to mention that other preferred Kiwi mod con; the hot-water bottle.

I have heard many folks extolling the virtues of an electric throw; it sounds to me like they all pretty much live on the sofa wrapped in it. Yeughh!

I wore a knitted beany hat to bed when we lived in Christchurch. Yes it was like bloody camping. How was this an improvement on life in England I asked myself ?