Letter: In defence of New Zealand's weather
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Dr Penny Fitzharris's letter (2 September) presents a jaundiced picture of Wellington, New Zealand. I am in a position to comment, having lived in London and Essex for many years before emigrating to Wellington in 1962. The medical scene is her province and I won't comment, but I must defend our climate.
I doubt her contention that our average summer temperature is lower than London's. (Dust thrown up by the Philippines volcano upset weather everywhere in the Pacific during 1992-3 - recovering gradually this year - which may have deceived her.) Our summer is usually stable and reliable with very many warm days (40-50 per cent more sunshine hours than London). Rainfall is about 50 inches, as it is for western Britain. Snow at sea level is unknown, frost infrequent, and high humidity seldom, smog never.
However, Wellington is notorious for wind, strong and persistent, especially in spring. And there are earthquakes - one or two a year, with big ones every 150 years or so.
She mentions her salary - 72 per cent of what it was in Britain. However, food, petrol and other commodities are far cheaper, and her money, she will find, will stretch further.
There are many things British that I miss (notably the changing seasons - our landscape is dominated by evergreen bush) but the climate is not one of them.
Yours sincerely,
ROBERT NIXON
Wellington, New Zealand
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments