Are you interestedin New Zealand

[sheilanz]

I am originally from Birmingham but have'lived here in NZ for 40 years,do
you have any questions, I will try and
answer any sent.........

[celeste]

From what you have said the population is less than 10 million, how many are in Hamilton where you live - is that enough?
 
Please tell us more about the inhabitants, I'm guessing there is quite a mixture, mainly immigrants from the UK - any from the USA?

[sheilanz]

Hamilton isthe 4th largest city inNz we have aprx 235,000 living her.Auckland is
the largest.The river Waikato runs thro
th midle of th city which is in two halves
Ilive th southern side more rural and city.We have 1/16th of Maori,some Asian
and yes a lot originally came from the UK]
but have been here for 4/5 generations
There are a small number of S.Africans
some teach at Varsity.we are a growing
city expanding to the North past the
Industrial area which is,nt big as the
Waikato area is mainly Dairy farming and
fruit growing,light engineering and horse
breeding..I live on the edge of a Reserve
only about 10/12 houses near me so its
lovely and relaxing and quiet.I love it
could,nt imagine living in Brum ever again..
 
 

[celeste]

http://www.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&source=imghp&q=Hamilton+New+Zealand&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=
 
 
Are you anywhere near Lake Domain?

[sheilanz]

Lake Domainis about 3 miles from me..
Nearer town than I am.
Its a beautiful park with both black and
white swans and all sorts of other birds.
The lake is named Rotorao has some
lovely board walks round the lake to the'Yacht club and a rather nice restuarant.....lovely for weddings

[sheilanz]

Btw  there are approx 4,296,700 living
in NZ, no where near 10 million.
Actually 40 years ago more people then
lived in Gt.Barr UK than live here in the
Hamilton/Waikato area now.....

[celeste]

Is there a large ex-pat community where you live?

[sheilanz]

No we are a mixed bunch,all speak
English tho,  mainly people like myself
been here a long time and are all
Naturalised NZ,s use a NZ passport etc
vote,NZ pension all things normal to the
population........Almost one of them now.

[celeste]

How far are you from Mikey?

[sheilanz]

Near enough one thousand miles.
Dunedin to Picton..by ferry
Wellington to Hamilton either fly,train
or drive.........We both live away from the main city so it could be more by a few
miles another 20 maybe

[sheilanz]

Over here towns are not connected by houses etc, there are long long stretches
of mountains,plains,small settlements
with 5/6 homes there, the odd pub/cafe
farms,then trickle of houses before you get to a village..Daughter lives 10 miles
from me huge area but only about 5oo
live there, she has 2 acres some lots more.

[celeste]

What do you do if you run out of say tea, sugar or someone visits unexpectedly?  No corners shops

[sheilanz]

You dont run out, you keep a stocked
cupboard.use something replace it.
..........I email the Supermarket
with my two weekly order and they deliver...........

[celeste]

Do they have long roads like house number 1002?

[sheilanz]

Maybe in Auckland/Wellington here we'are more up to 100 usually much less.
My Avenue has 7 down one side and
11 down the other,then the Reserve.I am
 10mins walk from shops,30 into town by bus.takes less on my Scooter to shop