Timaru is in driving distance of Christchurch, and Christchurch has lots of shows and other horse activities. Beyond that, I can't say much as my experience with Timaru has been gymnastics related (daughter).
I think you have to decide North Island/South Island first. Don't know Timaru, but Taupo is quite nice, but quite isolated in the middle. I wouldn't want to live in either, but it depends where you're moving from. I think if you're coming from Europe, lets say, both Timaru and Taupo are quite small. You'd probably want to be near one of the bigger cities first, otherwise the sky might fall on your head (hope you know Asterix). A friend of mine (Kiwi) has just moved to near Timaru from Wellington and she hates it, but she's a serious city girI, unlike me. I moved here from Germany/England 9 years ago and as much as I liked the South Island from a beauty point of view, I wouldn't want to live there (no offense to anyone in the SI, honest). I like a bit of a mix of people, having lived in London, and you get more of that in the North Island, there are just a lot more people here (a lot in NZ is really not a lot as such anyway). Horsewise Taupo has a big event before Christmas and is not too far from the Hawkes Bay either, but miles from any beach. Hope you get some more feedback from some locals, who know what they're talking about
I would decide on the job first - no good having a nice horsey area if you have to spend time in a toxic job environment. It all depends what sort of horse activities you want, Maccachic. Taupo has a very active Hunt Club, adult riding club, western riding club and no doubt more I haven't heard of. The Taupo Equestrian Centre seems to have some event, competition or training (eventing/dressage/sj) every week end. There is an excellent equine supply store which has a big notice board with info about anything going on in the area. Of course if you want intense activity, you would probably want to live in the Auckland area where there is a large competitive community at all levels. I have found that within groups there are friendly and not so friendly and it takes a while to settle in. It's pretty much the same every where.
Taupo is certainly very horse friendly. The soil type (volcanic ash) is great for year round activities too. (boy do I miss that) It's about 2 hours from good Bay of Plenty beaches. It does have the Lake beaches, and thermal pools. And of course the World famous Trout fishing.
Hey- I'm a Brit, moved here just over three years ago and living in Auckland. I shall steal Popcorn's phrasing 'Best.Decision.Ever.'
It is much cheaper to keep horses here, at whatever level you are at. They are much cheaper to buy in the first place and if you want to compete, that's cheaper too (I'm into showing and used to spend 25 pounds per class at county shows. Entries are a fraction of the price here and it's great!)
I adore Auckland because I can have the city job that I want but I can live in the countryside, in a house with a sea view (which did not cost the earth!) with my horses in a smashing livery yard up the road. This reality just does not exist back in the UK. It simply would not be possible. Sure- I'm not earning as much as my London friends but I don't care. They have to live in London! lol
I'm going back to the UK for Christmas and really looking forward to doing all the touristy stuff, eating scampi and chips in a pub (!) and trawling around London but I know that I will be looking forward to coming back to NZ again. It's definitely home now
P.S. Welcome to NZ for tomorrow! Original post says you arrive on 7th Nov
Im a Dunedin girls so small town is maore my style both jobs are in the horse industry and both have merits. Taupo is a long way from home but have been in Ireland/London/Germany for the last 2 1/2 years. London was nice but not for a long time and Auckland def isnt my scene. My biggest concern is that I will know no one in the area but will end up with a horse quite quickly (I.must.not.buy.a.horse.until.i.get.home. but trade me is so tempting) so should be too much of a problem to meet people.
So far I have just followed where life has taken me so kinda going to follow that road but bith opportunities seem great hmm. I was wanting to stay in Dunedin as I have a house there, I know the horse scence there and my family and friends are mostly there but jobs are limited in my field.
I live near Timaru, its a nice here, usually have good summers, cold in winter but if your from Dunedin it would be warmer. As for horse scene, I don't really know it myself as I don't get out competing too much (being floatless is a problem) but I sure anywhere you go if you make an effort to get involved you will soon know people. We have quite a few A&P shows (if thats your thing) within reasonable traveling distance. Its only 2 hours to Christchurch, where there is access to a lot more competitions than we have down here.
FixedFlush wrote:P.S. Kiwigal77 if you read this - I see what you mean about the hard ground.
Yup!! It's like concrete. The place I'm going to be grazing at even says it irrigates in Summer ... sure beats the still knee-deep mud here in Palmy thats for sure
Welcome to sunny Hawke's Bay, although it hasn't been the sunniest of places recently. We love the Bay and enjoy all the horsey opportunities it provides.
If you miss horses and need a 'horsey fix' feel free to Private message me and come and see our scruffy lot. (they don't seem to want to let go of the final winter coat as it hasn't been as warm as usual)
We've been doing the normal immigrant things, setting up banks accounts, getting oriented, phones, trying not to write off poor innocent souls just trying to turn right etc etc etc. (I'm remembering the rule "most" of the time, but Missus is totally freaked by it)
We've moved to new areas far too many times to get caught up in the normal euphoria and rose tinted glasses syndrome, but so far so good. I must say the quality of fresh produce is the best I've seen anywhere in the world and a million times better than the toxic sludge that passes for food in the UK. A big tick right there... I love my food.
It's also a relief that Kiwis are not into the rampant consumerism of Oz and the UK. Status anxiety is at a minimum here.
Heartbreaker,
Thanks for the offer, I might just take you up on that once we get a bit more settled.
Welcome FixedFlush, hope you settle in fine, nice time of year to come. That damned right turn rule is the most idiotic thing ever It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever and has killed many people, Kiwis and tourists. If you try to 'apply' the rule, there is always someone behind the car opposite, going straight at full speed running straight into your path. There is no other country in this world with that rule, because it doesn't work. Sorry, rant over. Yes the food is nice, I thought that too. You also get a feel for 'real price', no farming subsidies here. If you come to Welly, look us up, best coffee in the world here
Ok... go to any large town and then tell me it doesnt work! The only time we have accidents is when people dont follow the rule. Don't tell me its hard to remember or confusing - Two white lines mean giveway, two yellow lines mean stop, in NZ we drive on the left, in US you drive on the right!! Rules are rules, remember them. Tourist and new people to the country should revise the rules before driving just like we would if we were to go to America. Its people who are ignorant who have accidents so serves them right.
Nothing worse then being stuck on a road wanting to turn right into a street, your holding up piles of cars behind you and you cant turn because there are heaps of cars turning left into that street and when there not turning you have cars going straight who wont stop for you either. I think not having the rule would cause more accidents as people would be taking risky turns.
I have to say I agree with the others, it's a blo**dy stupid turning right rule and we really need to get it changed. I have driven in other countries that have the "if your turning right you just give way to everyone" rule and it is SO much safer and less confusing. Another problem with that rule here is at some intersections they put the straight through with the left turning traffic and at others they put it with the right turning traffic - and it's impossible to see indicators on the cars at the back so you don't know if you should wait for them or if they are turning so will wait for you. Had a couple of near crashes due to this, you think you can go and suddenly a car pulls out from behind another car and goes infront of you just as you're about to turn.
I love Palmy with all it's right turning arrows Wish more cities would use them more often, make things much safer and easier.
I really cant see how its confusing, its plain black and white... literally. If its uncontrolled you give way to right turning traffic, if right turning traffic is controlled (white lines or yellow lines) then you have right of way first. Simple as. I think people just need to stop being arrogant. There is a good reason why this rule has stuck through many a groaning arrogant person. NZ is becoming a very arrogant nation so maybe the uposed will get there wish down the line. Hopefully after I find myself a new haven.
HOME SITES 
(hope you know Asterix). A friend of mine (Kiwi) has just moved to near Timaru from Wellington and she hates it, but she's a serious city girI, unlike me. I moved here from Germany/England 9 years ago and as much as I liked the South Island from a beauty point of view, I wouldn't want to live there (no offense to anyone in the SI, honest). I like a bit of a mix of people, having lived in London, and you get more of that in the North Island, there are just a lot more people here (a lot in NZ is really not a lot as such anyway). Horsewise Taupo has a big event before Christmas and is not too far from the Hawkes Bay either, but miles from any beach.
is the most idiotic thing ever 
