Hi Ruth,

When I moved to NZ I did have my parents in Auckland but I moved straight down to Wellington knowing no one there. I have to say that it is the most sociable place that I have ever lived in and within the first few days I was going out with people. I always found Christchurch a really conservative place and would be inclined to go for either Wellington or Auckland. Auckland has far nicer climate and beaches but Wellington has the better social life as well as been very cosmopolitan!