"Bomb" hits NZ

A large area of low pressure that rapidly developed in the Tasman is now ravaging Auckland- this phenomenon is affectionately called a "bomb". The storm is not technically a hurricane, cyclone or typhoon but packs a similar punch. The NZ Herald has called it a once in a decade storm with high winds and pounding rain.

So far the storm has caused wide ranging power outages and uprooted boats from their mooring in the harbor. You can actually feel our apartment building sway with the wind and the howling from the windows is so loud it can not be drowned out.

This has left me questioning once again why homes in NZ are built without insulation, double siding or central heating. The concept of being as cold inside as outside is very foreign to me and perhaps one of the hardest things to adjust to as an expat.
As a native Chicagoan, I’m well versed in cold weather and bad storms. However, I have never been as cold during the winter as I have been here. It is because I am cold all day at work and practically sit on the space heater that I have next to my desk. Yes, instead of central heating everyone has space heaters that crate a 3 foot radius of warm air around their desk. At least a few times a week the power is tripped and our computers shut off because the system is overloaded with space heaters!

Despite the raging storm and cold indoor climate NZ winters are shorter than those in Chicago which gives us hope for warmer weather and longer days to come soon.