New Plymouth?

[kwak34]

a BIG HELLO to all you kiwi bikers!
my wife has been offered a post as a nurse in new plymouth,west coast,north island.
please can anyone give me more info bout this place???
what are the roads like in this area?
how far away is the nearest track?
what is the weather like there?
housing costs/rental/general living compared with other places in nz?
do you have a domestic race series/competition and how many tracks is there?
all advice and info would be much appreciated.

[Pussy]

Hey Kwak34... you'll like it here. Great motorcycling roads, nice scenery, closest track is Manfeild (approx 200km away), and Taupo is about 300km from here. House prices are about average for NZ. New Plymouth is a good town, and I believe there are less than 200 registered unemployed ( I had a bugger of a job employing a candidate for a specialist driving job recently).
Weather is pretty good, can get a bit wet and windy at times.
Good place

[BiK3RChiK]

Gets all the prevailing weather but if you can cope with that then you'll love the place! It has the mountain with a ski field about 25 minutes away, is obviously on the coast so has black sand beaches and fishing aplenty at the port. Nice roads for riding around the mountain. New Plymouth is probably a small city compared to England, but is only 3 hours away from Hamilton and 4 hours from Auckland Cities. I've heard 'outsiders' say that it is a bit difficult to find ones way around there but once you get used to the One way systems you should be sweet. It can get a bit cold in the winter too.. I grew up there, but have moved to the East Coast although all my family still live down there.

All the best with the planned move.

[sels1]

Welcome to KB
There are a lot worse places to live.
Being English, you wont mind a bit of rain, thats why its so green there.
It helps if you like cows, they have a few around the place.
And you get a nice mountain thrown in as well.

[ynot slow]

Man you'll love it,your wife will enjoy the hospital,great staff(the nurses)and after 10 days in the place they got used to my humour.

Housing market is cooling down sort of,rents ok and good beachs for miles.And a bloody big hill named after one Lord Egmont to walk around.

Can surf and ski in the same day if brave enough.

Just do it as nike says.About 4 hours from Auckland airport,same from Wellington,Taupo to fish 2&1/2 hours.

Oh and according to various websites the most googled place is Coronation St and then porn sites from New Plymouth so the base of this is a bunch of geriatric porn viewers lol.

[pritch]

and fishing aplenty at the port.

Ummm that's a bit out of date. The port is pretty much off-limits to fishermen now, due to some international anti-terrorist requirement... Boating is OK, but that's pretty serious water out there.

I must like the place, or at least not actively dislike it, because I'm still here :-)

There are some nice motorcycling roads.

There is some info here: http://www.newplymouthnz.com/

A Google image search should produce some pictures, try New Plymouth NZ or Mt Taranaki.

[Bren]

Hey Kwak.....any part of noo zilind has got to be good....(well most parts anyway)....West coast is an awesome area ...it has character!!!

[Jantar]

And take no notice of the comments made on the weather by others in this thread. Weather forecasting in New Plymouth is easier than anywhere else in the world. There are just two simple steps....

If you can see Mt Egmount then it is going to rain.

If you can't see Mt Egmont then it is already raining. :shutup:

[Pedrostt500]

New Plymouth is one of New Zealands hidden gems, it gets its share of good and bad weather, like every where, Road riding it has so awsome roads, around the mountain, or the Forgotten highway, if the weather aint good for the bike there is always somting else on.

[martybabe]

mate coming from Scarborough you'll think you've won the lottery, no offence meant, I'm a pom myself. Here's why.

Firstly the wife, gotta keep the ladies happy: My wife works as a nurse at that very Hospital, she's been a nurse for 22 years and has worked in several establishments all over the place, the midlands, Jersey etc. In short she thinks it's the best hospital she has ever worked at. There will be a learning curve, a lot of things are the same but different as you'd expect, little things but hundreds of em. It took the bride several months to tune into new practices and terminology, but over all she's the happiest I've ever known her at work. Wages are poor though, expect maybe 2/3 to 3/4 of pommy salary, however, the cost of living is cheaper than England for the most part.

Housing whilst fluctuating at the moment, is much cheaper in New Plymouth and NZ than the UK.
We have a 5 bed detached mansion on a hill with sea views for the same price as a three bed semi in Brum. Rents would average out at $300-$400 a week for a decent 3 bed detached house.

Climate and countryside: We've only done a year so what the average state of affairs is who knows, I read somewhere that NP is the second sunniest place in NZ, last summer was a blast, almost non stop sun with the temp usually 20 - 27 deg. Winter has been wet but daily winter highs have been 13-17 degreesish.The place seems to have a bit of a rep re weather but that's from a kiwi perspective, the shite that you and I know is thankfully a distant memory, maybe not the best in NZ but bloody good compared to Your neck of the woods. That's a massive generalisation but a fairly accurate one. :rolleyes:

10 minutes in any direction and your in the Yorkshire dales on steroids, much bigger much warmer and all kinds of weird looking plants and birds Dominated by a mount Fuji looking mount Taranaki, which is an awesome sight from all over new Plymouth, your good lady will see it most days from the hospital.

Motor cycling is brilliant here, all the roads take you to amazing places and there's enough twisty bits to keep anyone happy, if it's not the best place on earth to ride it can't be far off.

There is some bad news though. A lot of the road surfaces around here are awful, especially in summer, tar and chip every where, so you will encounter loose gravel corners, melting tar slicks and double rig 40 tonne trucks coming the other way through gravel fields, some rides it's like blooming sand blasting for you and the bike.

Gotta go ride now it's Sunday, the equivalent of your Jan/Feb it's sunny dry and 16 degrees and writing this has give me an appetite for a scoot around.

I can't speak for you obviously but I doubt you'll regret moving here, my family don't, it's a great place with great friendly laid back people. The weather and life style someone from the north of England can only dream of, Honestly, come on down and call me a liar.

Finally, get yourself a phrase book of kiwi speak, prepare to repeat almost every sentence at first till they tune in to your coronation street or royal accent and develop a taste for cold lager stuff, eww. Good luck :apint:

[sels1]

mate coming from Scarborough you'll think you've won the lottery, no offence meant, I'm a pom myself. :

Good post - sometimes we need to be reminded how good we have it here, often we take things for granted.

[Swoop]

Watch out for the water in NP...

It does something to the female population there... that makes them bloody attractive.:blip:

Not that you will need to know that.:whistle:

[BiK3RChiK]

Ummm that's a bit out of date. The port is pretty much off-limits to fishermen now, due to some international anti-terrorist requirement... Boating is OK, but that's pretty serious water out there.



Heh! Okay, then... Off the breakwaters! You can still fish there because I did last winter with me bro and we even snorkelled for paua at the breakwater rocks.

I like going 'home' to the Naki but I love living in the Eastern Bay of Plenty!:calm:

[SPman]

New Plymouth - Westy capital of NZ!

[MIXONE]

Man you'll love it,your wife will enjoy the hospital,great staff(the nurses)and after 10 days in the place they got used to my humour.

Housing market is cooling down sort of,rents ok and good beachs for miles.And a bloody big hill named after one Lord Egmont to walk around.

Can surf and ski in the same day if brave enough.

Just do it as nike says.About 4 hours from Auckland airport,same from Wellington,Taupo to fish 2&1/2 hours.

Oh and according to various websites the most googled place is Coronation St and then PORN SITES from New Plymouth so the base of this is a bunch of geriatric porn viewers lol.

Only since martybabe shifted there.:spanking::Pokey:

[MIXONE]

Oh and according to various websites the most googled place is Coronation St and then PORN SITES from New Plymouth so the base of this is a bunch of geriatric porn viewers lol.

Only since martybabe shifted there.:Pokey::lol:

[ynot slow]

Touche.

Apparently a true statistic lol.

[Headbanger]

Motorhead and a Mountain.

Plus...Its not Wanganui.

Sounds like paradise.

[martybabe]

Only since martybabe shifted there.:Pokey::lol:


Touche.

Apparently a true statistic lol.

:lol::shit: Oi oi, How very dare you suggest I would waste my time on Coronation street, Internet or otherwise!!!! stinkeroonies.

Oops, I spose I should object to being associated with the porn eh :laugh: Nah, fair cop.

[kwak34]

what a great response,thankyou all for answering my questions,see you in january 09!!

[sinfull]

mate coming from Scarborough you'll think you've won the lottery, no offence meant, I'm a pom myself. Here's why.




Watch out for the water in NP...

It does something to the female population there... that makes them bloody attractive.:blip:
Not that you will need to know that.:whistle:
Swoop ya have to stop checking out them cows whilst in the cockpit !



what a great response,thankyou all for answering my questions,see you in january 09!!
Please note Martybabes post will self destruct if cut and pasted to any tourist or campervan site !

[Grub]

- how far away is the nearest track?
- do you have a domestic race series/competition and how many tracks is there?.

As somebody said, Manfield is 200km (and a nice ride) away

The best race series in the country for you is the Victoria Motorcycle Club's Winter Series of 6 rounds. It takes place at Manfield, has about 200 entries per meeting, costs $400 for the whole series if you pay up front and is run on a fairly informal basis.

The National Series means you have to do a huge amount of travelling, struggles to get 100 entries, costs $250 per round and is all serious and stuff - but it does take place in the nice hot summer.

From next year, there will be seven tracks. From south to north Teretonga in Invercargill, Levels in Timaru, Ruapuna in Christchurch, Manfield in Fielding, Taupo in Taupo, Hampton Downs near Hamilton and Pukekohe in Auckland

[Bikernereid]

If I had the choice I would move from the UK to NP but the other half is a West Aucklanfd boy through and through so it looks like NP is out for me. I am a Lincs lass and love the countryside so there is the appeal of NP for me.

The scenery around NP is absolutely gorgeous and there are some mint roads in the Taranaki region. You will never get bored.

NP itself has that nice small town feel but with plenty of ameneties if you know what I mean. it is easy to get around and jus as easy to get out into the countryside.

The beaches there are lovely if not a tad windy at times but coming from Scarborough that shouldn't bother you at all really!!

From what I have seen the house prices are very reasonable and if you want to live in one of the small towns just a small drive to NP then you are laughing!! Trademe is a good place to look and get a better idea of what is available and how much it costs.

Good luck and happy hunting!!

[Patrick]

Plenty of top rides around the place. Going north (toward Auckland) is the Awakino gorge, nice scenic ride winding alongside a river through the coutryside... Inland is the Whangamomona - simply a must do ride, with a pub in the middle of nowhere but a brilliant ride to get to and from it... good food and usually no problem finding good company to join ya to show you the way...

The Whangamomona Republic Day is this January too... a good weekend outing. Camp out there or ride out both days, either way, a top event.

Around the mountain - a so so ride, not too challenging at all.. but again, scenic. The mountain does come out for a look see often enough, fresh clean air, rivers, beaches, tramping and fishing... whatever the mood takes ya....

I gave up riding in Auckland years ago. Got back into it here because the roads are more user friendly for bikers. Enjoy!!!

A good hospital, as pointed out before...

Good town, crap rugby team...

[ynot slow]

Rugby team not crap all the time remember 96 beating dorkland.

Yep ride north of NP is great,Mokau area great scenery.

[fire eyes]

And whats even better is that the little town of HAWERA is about a 45 minute drive south of New Plymouth!!!!!! :lol::dodge::shutup:

[martybabe]

And whats even better is that the little town of HAWERA is about a 45 minute drive south of New Plymouth!!!!!! :local::dodge::shut up:


:laugh: Yeah like we said all the roads heading North are good :bleh::whistle:

Only joking, difficult to find an ugly place anywhere in the Naki really.

[fire eyes]

:laugh: Yeah like we said all the roads heading North are good :bleh::whistle:

Only joking, difficult to find an ugly place anywhere in the Naki really.

Oi you cheeky bugger! :lol::bash:

[Murray]

At least no-one's mentioned "deliverance" yet

[Pussy]

At least no-one's mentioned "deliverance" yet


...You sure got a purdy mouth, Murray.....

[Murray]

...You sure got a purdy mouth, Murray.....

It goes with the cross eyes, hair lip and 6 fingers

[Patrick]

Rugby team not crap all the time remember 96 beating dorkland.

1996? That was 12 YEARS ago Nigel, get over it...:bleh:

Still, they did beat my favorite team in the opening round...


At least no-one's mentioned "deliverance" yet

That'll be Inglewood (mingleblood...). Highway in and out, with a 50kmph speed zone to go through it, so the locals can "check you out" and call ahead to uncle pa.... Broom sticks are a specialty.:shit:

[Pussy]

You ought to see Patrick pickin' that banjo.....

[Swoop]

At least no-one's mentioned "deliverance" yet
Or the Englewood rugby club and their "late night antics"...
What a place to have a 21st...

[Patrick]

You ought to see Patrick pickin' that banjo.....

Yous speshially purdy when yas squeeling like a pig....

[Patrick]

Or the Englewood rugby club and their "late night antics"...
What a place to have a 21st...

Thems speeeeeshal cousins.... keeping it in the family.....