Can I buy foreign foods in Whitianga or Thames?

• The supermarkets in Whitianga and Thames have a selection of foreign foods. You can get all you need to make sushi rolls for example. There are also a number of smaller stores that sell various ethnic foods as well as organic foods.

What can I do in the evenings?

• There is a cinema in town, many cafes, pubs and bars. Some Friday evenings we have our "Whiti Link Club" where students (and others) come together to play table tennis, board and card games, or just sit together, talking, laughing and having fun. Students often organise parties of course. If you are looking for nightlife, you can find it in one of the bars or pubs in town (but you must be at least 18 years old to go there - ID required). Often there are live bands playing or DJ music at weekends.

How far is it from Auckland to Whitianga?

• About 200 kms. By car it takes about 2.5 hours, by shuttle-bus about 3.5 hours (under normal conditions). During summer there are three bus connections from Whitianga to Auckland every day.

How far is it from Auckland to Thames?

• About 120 kms. By car it takes about 1.5 hours, by shuttle-bus about 2 hours (under normal conditions).

How can I get around? Is there public transport?

• The public transport is limited. Therefore we encourage you to join the Friday afternoon activities, as they often go to places where it is otherwise difficult to get (beautiful beaches, mountains etc.). Many host families provide bicycles or even take you on weekend trips. There is also a taxi company in town. Sometimes, students or teachers also organise extra activities with private or rental cars at weekends. Regular bus services connect Whitianga with other towns (GO KIWI SHUTTLE, INTERCITY BUS, etc.).

Can I swim in the sea?

• Yes, you will love it! Many people enjoy snorkelling and scuba diving because the water is very clear. Surfing and body-boarding is also very popular, and of course, simply swimming. The water temperature in summer is normally between 20°C and 25°C. In winter it cools down though.The best season for swimming is from December to March.

What clothing should I bring?

• The weather here is very changeable. People say that we have four seasons in one day.

•  For summer (December - March) we recommend shorts and T-Shirt, a light jacket. Don't forget to bring your swim suit! However, the evenings are chilly, so you will need long pants and a warm sweater for the evenings.

• Although it never snows here, winters (May - September) are cold, and it often rains. If you come here in winter you should bring thermal wear, a woolen hat and a scarf. For the rain, you should bring a rain jacket and suitable shoes or boots.

• Summer: the sun is strong and it can get very warm, but rarely above 30°C. Sometimes it is very windy and it can rain too. It gets cool at night.

• Winter: the weather can be very mixed. Sun, wind, rain...but no snow. We sometimes get frost at night. Sunny days can be beautiful and warm, but it often rains. The average daytime temperature is usually around 15°C.