New Zealand is made up of two islands, the North Island and the South Island. Hamilton is a small city located on the North Island. New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere, so the seasons occur at opposite times to when we experience them in America! March marks the beginning of fall. However, because of its location on the North Island, there is generally no snow in Hamilton in the winter, and the coldest days are only about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It can get hot though! It was 98 degrees Fahrenheit the day I arrived in Hamilton in February. Overall, the climate is humid and very rainy, but the sunny days are beautiful and make up for all of the rainy days.
Did you know that the only native mammal species in New Zealand are bats? Many bird species occupy the role that mammals play in the ecosystem. In Hamilton, specifically on the University of Waikato campus, I loved to sit outside and observe the ducks swimming and listen to the call of the Tui bird.
