The UoN Experience - The Video Projects

By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

As the second anniversary passes which signalled the end of my education life and the finale to my journalism degree at the University of Northampton, I have decided to share my own personal experiences from my three years at UoN. This includes a look into how good the University is in general, a critical assessment of the video projects I produced and what happened after graduation.

Books played their part in the final major project in third year

Whilst there were many assignments I did in my time at the University of Northampton, some were better than others. That includes video work which took on a bigger role as the years progressed. For the first time in the public eye and with the help of my YouTube account, here is some of the video work I did throughout the three years as I assess the strengths and weaknesses of each piece.

I am working on a video showreel which will go online both on YouTube and on Viewing Perspectives later in the summer.

The Credit Crunch – Filmed February 2010

Group: Simon Wright, Emily Shears, Miles Aitkenhead

This was the first video project I was involved with which was a short exercise project in first year, mainly in how to use the video cameras, film an interview and edit it into a sharp news piece. There were no prizes for this and that was rather thankful.

At college, I was so frightened of the practical equipment; I didn’t even want to switch a video camera on for fear of breaking it! Luckily that was something I didn’t worry about at University.

I was paired up with Emily and Miles and we basically had to film each other, and interview one another on how the credit crunch had affected students’ lifestyle at University, basically (their own life).

It’s far from a classic and I look better in another piece a few months later, but it was a start and I do believe that the clear errors in this film had been eradicated in the next two years.

Strengths: Clearly spoken throughout, honest answers in the questions and clear Astons.

Weaknesses: Lack of weather conditions consistency, jumpy camera shots and the size of the picture frame.

Northampton Lift Tower – Filmed April 2010

Group: Simon Wright, Tamika Short, Rochelle Lye, Todd Murphy

The first year TV assignment involved a trip to the iconic Northampton Lift Tower, which is regularly seen over the skyline whenever you approach the town. There had been talk on it reopening to the public as a tourist attraction after it had been shutdown 13 years earlier.

Another student took control of the presenting duties and I resorted to doing the editing work, which was one of my best technical skills. I didn’t think it was a bad piece but there was most definitely room for improvement.

There were some excellent and useful interviews but heavy wind noise and a huge cut on the final cue of the presenter’s closing speech was not great – especially when there was little I could do about this in the editing suite.

Strengths: Good interview subjects, mix of interviews, some solid editing transitions.

Weaknesses: Presenter not in the centre of the shot, cut on the presenter’s closing speech, Wind noise, a far too long introduction.

Vision Products Opening – Filmed January 2011

Group: Me

This was a very interesting project which turned out to be my unexpected TV piece in second year. A notification about this appeared on the student dashboard a week before the official opening of the Precision Manufacturing plant in Brackmills, but as it was offered to the Monday workshop group (I was in the Tuesday group), it looked like a non-starter for myself.

However when only one person volunteered to cover this, I decided this was a great opportunity and not one I should turn down. However when the second person didn’t show on the day, it was left to me to do camera work, the interview and the editing all by myself. Not easy but just about manageable.

Vision Products had decided to open their plant up in Northampton rather than move abroad to provide jobs for locals in a difficult economic climate at the time. I went on the day when it was officially opened and it was an interesting morning with the head of marketing solutions, Pete French and the workforce.

I was generally happy with this – there were big improvements to first year video work and put me in good stead for the final year major project. Of course, there were weaknesses as expected but for a one-man job, it came out rather well.

Strengths: Decent cutaways, strong narration, excellent interview with the boss

Weaknesses: Solo job made it trickier, another interview would have been ideal, doing the introduction on site in Brackmills rather than in an editing room at University.

Local Libraries under Threat – Filmed February 2011

Group: Simon Wright, Tamika Short

With some doubt over whether I could use the Vision Products piece, I decided to do a back-up in reserve which featured the threat of closures of local libraries within Northampton.

I went with colleague and close friend Tamika to do some filming outside St. James’ Library, which was one of the libraries that had been under risk of being shutdown in cost-cutting measures by the council.

I remember the days we went were cold, wet and miserable and filming next to a gun shop was slightly disturbing! Generally, it wasn’t an awful piece but I preferred the earlier camera TV report I had already done due a lack of consistency with voiceovers and a struggle with cutaway shots as we didn’t get permission to sadly film inside St. James’ Library.

Strengths: Point of the story was made, good main interview piece to camera

Weaknesses: Stumbling voiceovers, lack of decent cutaways due to filming restrictions, look too small in the pieces to camera.

Parking Problems Documentary – Filmed April 2011

Group: Tamika Short, Simon Wright, Chris Ola, Parris O’Sullivan

The documentary for Film Style & Technique was put together in the first four months of 2011 and this is as far as I’m concerned, the best TV project I did in the three years of studying at the University of Northampton.

Paired up with Tamika again and fellow journalism students Chris and Parris, our aim was to create a five-minute documentary on an issue around University. I don’t quite know how we ended up doing something on car parking prices and lack of spacing around both campuses but it turned into an intriguing documentary.

There was a slow start but we got a fantastic amount of interviews (largely down to contacts of Chris and Parris), leaving Tamika and me to work on the editing, camera work and paperwork elements.

The final result was a balanced documentary that highlighted the problems and expressed students concerns but also allowed a University staff member to respond to the issues raised. I don’t think it could have gone any better. It was a great team and I found a real buzz in putting this together.

Strengths: Variety of interviews, good use of music, balanced piece with no 100% bias, decent cutaways.

Weaknesses: Some audio levels of the voiceovers weren’t fully equalised, microphone cables evident in occasional interviews.

The Current Affairs Radio Show – Recorded April 2012

Group: Lauren Bowen, Miles Aitkenhead, Simon Wright

In terms of audio work, the best piece which came in third and final year. I never really enjoyed studying radio but creating a radio show was an interesting aspect. It was another one of those modules where the theory wasn’t exactly thrilling but the practical side was much better.

As individuals, we had to produce two features for a 30-minute radio show. One was feature length of approximately five minutes and another was a short, sharp two-minute piece at best.

Our lecturer then paired us into groups of three. I worked with Lauren and Miles on this and we immediately gelled as a group and were well organised in putting this together. The Current Affairs Show features pieces on Human Trafficking, Racism in Football, Film and Music Reviews, the building of a University Technical College and a feature on the fallout of the 2011 UK riots after the shooting of Mark Duggan in Tottenham.

The final result was a polished, strong piece of current affairs programming.

Strengths: Working in such a strong group, a wide range of topics, strong links into pieces, adverts to break the programme up.

Weaknesses: None

Modern Technology – Filmed May 2012

Group: Simon Wright

And so to the final piece of video work and this was my final project of the three years at the University of Northampton. I chose to look at the advancements in modern technology and picked three aspects of the new enforcements on our everyday lives; eBooks, the MP3 music revolution and smartphones.

I got an excellent response to an online survey I created, came up with some strong interviews with varying opinions, and by doing the piece by myself with only requests for a few people to be involved in some cutaway shots – I did a professional and clean job of this 10-minute feature.

I wouldn’t change much on this if I did it again. Maybe work on hiding microphone wiring and positioning the camera better to centralise my interview subjects but I think this was a fitting end to my three-year degree.

Strengths: Wide variety of interviews, no heavy music reliance, doing online surveys and social media interaction, strong introduction and title sequence.

Weaknesses: Some static cutaways, a couple of interviews weren’t centralised enough, microphone wiring use. 

Categories: Credit Crunch, Degree, Journalism, Libraries, Manufacturing, Northampton, Technology, The Current Affairs Show, University of Northampton, Video

Facebook - Can it survive another 10 years?

By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

A decade ago, the word social media was almost non-existent. It certainly wasn’t a very common word. If you wanted to interact with friends online, it used to be through sites like Friends Reunited or through internet forums/chatrooms.

Nowadays, without social media – the majority of us would struggle to live without it in some form of capacity. There are so many things we can do with this power. We can upload videos in seconds and hope they become the next worldwide sensation. We can express our feelings in 140 characters and use the popular hashtag to see if it trends. We can keep in touch with friends and family, play addicting games and still have the ability to poke one another #notcoolanymore.

Facebook has reached 10 - but is under pressure to keep its audience

The facts are that without this communication, you would be lost in today’s technological planet. Recently, Facebook celebrated its 10^th anniversary. The question is, can it survive another decade?

Facebook’s early power

When Marc Zuckerberg launched Facebook in February 2004, it happened fairly quietly. In fact I don't even remember it. The background to it was documented in the lengthy and slightly tedious movie The Social Network.

It came at a time when Facebook could take supreme control of the social media audience. Its main rival at the time was MySpace and they simply couldn’t compete on the same level as what Zuckerberg could produce with his network. MySpace has since faded into complete obscurity and similar sites like Friends Reunited and Bebo have gone the same way.

I was invited and joined Facebook in July 2007, so that was three years after it was launched. The only use for it in its early days was to organise events and post the occasional status update. In fact when I went to Milton Keynes College after sixth form for two years, I was one of only three students on my media production course to have Facebook. Everyone before that connected and communicated on MySpace. I did have a MySpace profile shortly afterwards but it was so limited. While it wasn’t my ultimate mission to convert everyone, I knew Facebook was the social media channel to have and by the time I left in 2009 for University, all but two had switched platforms.

You could see Facebook’s persuasive power. Certain games have got people occasionally hooked. Others would rather just poke people. Seriously, one of the most annoying e-mail messages you can receive is ‘You have been poked’ on Facebook. I find that really irritating!

Facebook does have its downsides and I expressed some of my own personal problems with the site in a piece I did on social media in general last year.

However it did create a lot of early power and could get really addictive to use at the same time.

New threats

Zuckerberg might have made his money and has continued to evolve Facebook over the years. The simple early days of a News Feed and your Homepage have been replaced with expansive graphics. That sometimes hasn’t always worked and I know the current ‘Timeline’ concept wasn’t greeted with that much enthusiasm to begin with.

As it went through its own trough, the new threats began to arrive. Video calling technology from Skype started to develop. Facebook’s power though was soon about to be targeted by its biggest threat to date. The introduction of Twitter into our world in 2006 was again met with little in terms of immediate impact.

Slowly but surely, Twitter started to take on a vast audience as celebrities/famous people started to use it and get followed by fans or slightly obsessive normal members of the general public. If a famous face doesn’t have Twitter, it is quite surprising. I know the current motorsport king Sebastian Vettel doesn’t have Twitter, nor does the UK’s former PM Tony Blair but you would be hard pressed to find people who don’t have official feeds now.

Popstars, sports professionals, the leading journalists, club associations, actors and actresses; the list goes on. Twitter’s audience continues to grow and that has caused a serious threat and dent to Facebook’s popularity.

The days where Zuckerberg could control the social media audience reach are gone and he has had to adapt to the competition.

Personally, I prefer Twitter and made it into a professional account, moving Facebook into the personal spectrum. I joined Twitter in my first year at University in October 2009 – initially only as it was required for a journalism assignment. Over 3,300 tweets later and I use it now as a source to find out links to news stories as well as to comment on some of the main worldwide topics, especially in sport, television and occasionally political issues – despite not showing huge interest in this field.

Facebook’s power has been hurt also by the rise in private and free messaging tools on smartphones. Whilst the UK riots in the summer of 2011 brought BlackBerry virtually to its knees, the BBM service became a free and useful way to have a private conversation. It was just a shame that it soon became a tool to organise violence and hooliganism. Since then, other services such as WhatsApp Messenger and SnapChat (I only have the former) have taken over from BBM to provide stiff competition in the Instant Messaging market. Not forgetting Instagram, another application that has done very well in recent years to attract a global following.

With all that in mind, Facebook has done well to continue appealing to its market. It has had to adapt because if it hadn’t, it would have gone the way MySpace did - into oblivion.

The future

While Facebook has to be congratulated on reaching the 10^th anniversary of its launch, does it need to do more to keep its audience?

In my view, it does. New emotions and buttons for status updates can be added; security certainly could do with tightened reviews. The ‘Poke’ button needs to be removed and the News Feed could do with another revamp, perhaps in splitting it between your friends and family communication and the likes you have of hobbies/people/interests. For example if I want to see how my friends are doing, I don’t want my newsfeed clustered with updates from Walkers Crisps, The Chemical Brothers and UEFA.com.

While it is important to come up with radical and new ideas to keep the network afresh, Zuckerberg might need to incorporate some of Twitter’s successes to keep him active in a sector that continues to evolve.

I think Facebook will be around for another decade and probably longer than that. However it will need to continue to embrace change to stay fresh and different from its competition. A lack of change in this environment will see it start to struggle to stay near the forefront of social media interaction. 

Categories: BBM, Facebook, February, Internet, Marc Zuckerberg, MySpace, Skype, Social Media, Technology, Twitter

Can Tesco compete in the competitive tablet market?

By Simon Wright - Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

This article is also available on TheRankTank

The tablet market is one of the most keenly anticipated battles in the technology world. It has taken on a new scope with some of the major retailers joining the race to win buyers with Christmas just two months away.

With Apple’s iPad the best tablet around but also the most complicated and expensive, consumers will want the best deal. That means a combination of excellent battery life, a wealth of applications and performance levels that are so good, you won’t worry about needing an upgrade every five minutes.

Tesco Hudl's new tablet can make an impact in a competitive market

Earlier last week, Argos entered the tablet market with the MyTablet, costing under £100. It is too early to say if this will be a successful move but it follows the latest trend which was recently triggered by Tesco’s competitive move with the introduction of the Tesco Hudl (pictured).

At £119, the tablet is in the price range for many members of the everyday public and there are plenty of positives about the Hudl. Tesco have made it available in four different colours. While the standard black colour is available, those with a creative feel will appreciate the choice of red, purple and blue colours.

The design is slick and smooth and appearance levels are crucial to attract buyers. When a customer enters a store or goes searching online, they will be instantly put off by something that has a lack of care and attention in its design. The Hudl shouldn’t provide any complaints and with a seven inch screen, is big enough to read e-books, listen to the latest chart hits and stream quality movies in stunning HD.

For any tablet to be successful, they need an easy-to-find store with hundreds of applications. That isn’t just the standard apps either. Tesco’s Hudl doesn’t disappoint with access to the successful Google Play store as it runs Android operating technology. Therefore, there shouldn’t be any hassle catching up on TV with BBC iPlayer or staying in touch through video calling on Skype – both available in the store. At 16GB in internal storage, tablet space is fantastic. There is the ability to purchase a Micro-SD card separately to extend memory space to 48GB, keeping the user very happy.

There are bugbears of course. The battery life is not the best and the 3MP camera is a huge disappointment. Tesco shouldn’t invest in this and need to look at other avenues if they were to launch a second edition.

So can Tesco take on the likes of Amazon and Samsung, both viable competitors in the tablet market? It will probably struggle to match them on sales but it has the ability to cause some headaches for these companies. The tablet market is not easy to crack. HP pulled their tablet from the shelves after poor sales while the BlackBerry Playbook was so bad, it made watching an episode of Antiques Roadshow more appealing.

The Hudl sold out in its first two days on the market and this is a great start for Tesco. If you are flushed with cash, stick with the more powerful Samsung tablets but if you are sticking to a budget in the festive season, a Tesco Hudl would be the ideal winter gift.

Categories: Amazon, Android, Apple, Argos, BBC iPlayer, Christmas, Colour, HD, Hudl, iPad, Samsung, Tablet, Technology, Tesco, TV

Auckland – A guide to what’s on offer in 2013

By Simon Wright

Auckland offers a spectacular backdrop when the sun sets

With 32 per cent of the country’s population, the city of Auckland in New Zealand has plenty of stunning sightseeing locations, a settled and lovely climate, and some wonderful accommodation that makes visitors feel like they are at home.

Popular with locals and tourists, Auckland provides the perfect setting for some cultural festivals, along with some addictive hobbies, and the right blend of tradition and modernity.

There is no extreme weather climate, and as New Zealand is located in the Southern Hemisphere, it experiences opposites in weather to what is seen in the Northern Hemisphere. 

This means that summer is at the start of the year, and winter arrives in July/August time, a period where it is meant to be warmer in the north. 

January

The Southern Hemisphere is in the midst of its summer during the month of January, and Auckland in New Zealand is no exception. With breathtakingly beautiful scenery, loads of fun-packed activities to keep people busy and appealing weather, Auckland is a great place for a memorable holiday. Sunshine is prevalent in Auckland during this time of year, and 14 hours of daylight can be expected. Temperatures normally hover around 22 degrees Celsius, a couple of degrees above the usual January average. The weather is warm and sunny, while the sea water temperature sits at 32 Fahrenheit, as it does all year. So, it means that the temperature is very ideal for a gentle soak, rather than an endurance swim.

Accommodation wise, one of the best places to stay at all-year round is the Hotel DeBrett.  This hotel is right in the heart of the city centre. Style and class are the two main aims of this carefree environment. It is the perfect location to be near the wide choice of delicious restaurants and bars of Viaduct Harbour, and is surrounded by theatres and art galleries. Also, there is nearby facilities for swimming, sailing, tennis and golf. A good alternative choice would be the SKYCITY Hotel for those who prefer sticking to a budget. This accommodation offers plenty of space, and is seriously good value for money.   

Always bustling with events, Auckland is no exception in January. Top of the bill is the Auckland Seafood Festival in Halsey Wharf. Whether this event is for a regular visitor or a newcomer, the Auckland Anniversary Weekend becomes even tastier after this experience. This festival is the ultimate party when it comes to seafood, a popular pastime in New Zealand. It won’t just be the food, with a wide selection of entertainers performing, plus the chance to enjoy local beers and wines.

February

The weather climate in February is fairly stable in Auckland in comparison to January. In fact, visitors to this destination will be more likely to experience an extra hour of sunshine than they would in January, and two less days of rainfall. The average temperature in the month is once again 20 degrees Celsius, the same average as January’s temperature. Humidity in the area is at 75 per cent for the month. The nights are mild, and it is this time of year where the love of water sports, a favourite hobby with many locals really shines through.

What Auckland doesn’t lack is the vast amount of accommodation destinations available to the visitors of the country. Each hotel varies in facilities and star quality, to hotel cost and customer service. For those who want to stay in the area, and not have to pay astronomical prices, one suggestion is the Nomads Auckland on Fort Street. The Nomads Auckland is a historic building which embraces style and is an easy place to relax for travellers. The atmosphere is friendly within the hostel, and it is located closely to both the main train station and the Viaduct Harbour, meaning getting around to different places is easy. With average prices starting at £35 a night, this is one of the best around should you be looking for cheap, but fantastic accommodation.

The main event in February to experience is the Auckland Lantern Festival, which takes place in Albert Park across the final Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the month. It is a weekend for all the family which sees China invade New Zealand for three days. Auckland’s 14^th annual Lantern Festival sees the locals be entertained by classical music groups, amazing lantern decorations and some Shanghai acrobatics. 2013 is the Chinese New Year of the Snake, and any excuse for a party is well worth it for this occasion. 

March

March sees summer end in New Zealand and autumn begin. The average temperature drops a degree from February, to 19 degrees Celsius in March. The start of a new season means the amount of average rainfall increases in Auckland. Two extra days of rain is the average in March, and the amount of rainfall increases to 40mm. Despite the slender drop in temperature, there is still plenty of sunshine, and the cooler environment does lead to some magnificent scenery as the leaves begin to change colour on the trees.

A good choice of accommodation in March would be the City Towers resort in Central Auckland. With generally excellent reviews from previous visitors, this apartment complex offers 33 rooms, some with newly refurbished studio and garden apartments. A friendly staff within the complex will make sure that any issue will be solved. It really does feel like a place away from home.

The stars of world speedway will visit in March

The month of March provides plenty of events. Two standouts really will whet the appetite for those who like a good time, or prefer their sport. In late March, the cream of world speedway visit Auckland for the FIM Speedway Grand Prix at Western Springs. Featuring four world champions in the 2013 field, including double champion, American Greg Hancock, who won the inaugural Grand Prix on this track. Speedway provides plenty of thrills and excitement for the spectators, along with some tremendous action from the world’s finest. On the same day (23 March), the New Zealand Beer Festival, a sell-out in 2012, returns with top focus being an exciting entertainment line-up that is yet to be announced. It also gives the chance for all visitors to try out 125 local beers and ciders. This event is one of the best to mix beer, music and food together.

April

April sees a climate in Auckland that is static to what March produces. Although the country is still in autumn, daily sunshine hours are higher at this time of the year than what they would be in the summer months of January and February. With an average of nine hours per day, this means that it is still a beautiful time of year to swim, especially with the consistency of the sea temperatures. Despite the increased sunshine tourists will likely experience in April, the spread of average rainfall increases to 15 days a month. New Zealand’s general precipitation is actually relatively high, with between 640mm to 1500mm evenly spread throughout a calendar year.

April’s choice of accommodation will put tourists near the tranquil harbour setting on Quay Street. The Copthorne Hotel is right on the waterfront and offers one of the best views you can get of the harbour. All rooms offer broadband internet for those who can’t stay away from social media while on a deserved break and a wide choice of drink, from tea and coffee making facilities to the tempting mini bar. The Copthorne Hotel offers easy access into the shopping district, while The Tactics Bar inside the venue is one of the best to get together before sampling the enthusiasm of a great Auckland night out. This is the place to stay if landscape and setting are near the top of your list when thinking about accommodation preferences.

   

On the entertainment front, it is music concerts that lead the April highlights. The legendary Bryan Adams returns to New Zealand for two special music performances, and one of them will be in Auckland. Adams has sold over 65 million records in the past 15 years, and is one of the most established names in the music business. This will be his first performance in New Zealand in 15 years, as he will perform his highly praised ‘Bare Bones’ acoustic tour. If Bryan Adams can’t get people excited, Black Sabbath surely must. One of heavy metal’s most famous bands will be performing their first New Zealand show in nearly 40 years, including Ozzy Osbourne – Mr. Prince of Darkness. To complete a real nostalgic feel to the month, the ‘Shutter’ exhibition finishes in April – so don’t miss the chance to go through a history of iconic cameras. See where photography started from the very beginning to today’s digital age at the Museum of Transport & Technology.

May

Sunshine is a predominant nature of the annual climate in Auckland

As autumn starts to reach its conclusion, the amount of sunshine hours does increase, but the average temperature starts to drop rapidly. An average high temperature in May of 17 degrees Celsius is considerably lower than the 20 degrees Celsius, 68 degrees Fahrenheit in April. The average rainfall increases in the month from 40mm to 50mm, spread across 17 days in the month – more than 50 per cent. The average humidity in Auckland climbs up to 85 per cent during May, which is the joint highest in the calendar year.

One of the smaller accommodation venues is Mollies, but that doesn’t mean to say that this is a bad thing. It might only hold 13 rooms, but is highly recommended for romantic couples who want to get away from it all to Auckland. Within this venue is a breakfast service which is second to none, and some interesting and creative artist work.

In comparison to some other months in 2013, May’s entertainment is quieter despite a range of classes that actually take place throughout the year. One of the main highlights is the Auckland Writers & Readers Festival at the Aotea Centre. The festival will welcome over 100 international and local writers in a variation of lectures and group discussions, and is an event not to be missed by literature lovers and fiction book anoraks. 

June

As the world enters the halfway mark of an annual year, New Zealanders get prepared for their winter which provides a mixture of glorious sunshine, along with some heavy rain showers. The average temperature in June drops to 12 degrees Celsius, two degrees lower than what it is likely to be in May. The lowest average temperature in May falls below double figures to nine degrees Celsius. With Auckland in the north of the country, more rainfall is expected throughout the winter months, due to its geographical location. However, the average rainfall in June of 50mm is exactly the same as it is in May.

New Zealand and Auckland itself is a popular location for backpackers, and one of the best places to stay for this type of person is the eco-friendly City Lodge Accommodation which is walking distance from the main City Hall. Built as recently as 2005, this hostel will provide the room basics, such as high-speed internet access and refrigerators, but is one of the best accommodation venues for value, and keep visitors right at the heart of the city.

One of June’s leading events takes place at Queen Street. The Auckland Theatre Company looks more into the life and legacy of Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn. This isn’t just a celebration of her life, but also a shrewd look into her ideas during the Tudor days. Historical lovers must see this, while the more creative individuals should check out The Auckland Art & Craft Fair, which takes place again this year – three years after a show-stopping debut.

July

The average amount of rainfall in Auckland increases to 60mm during the month of July, which is the wettest month of an annual year. Despite the added rainfall, sunshine hours remain at an average of 10 hours per day. The winter months in New Zealand can bring snow to the areas, although this is more restricted to the mountainous areas rather than further inland. Sea temperatures remain at the same during the year, although the time for regular swimming has disappeared by now.

Those who need to experience a holiday whilst sticking to a tight budget should consider staying at the Quality Hotel Parnell. This hotel is a basic, but nice atmosphere for the family to stay in, while enjoying everything what Auckland has to offer, and is a short walk to the Parnell district, which is full of shops and restaurants. 

July’s main event is the 2013 UCI BMX World Championships. This event is the finale of the world championship season, and is a non-stop spectacle of belting action and inevitably, some dramatic crashes. The world’s best BMX riders will be in attendance for the first time in New Zealand. A popular Olympic event, you could see some of the stars to look out for at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

August

July is on average, the coldest month of the year and the time when the most rainfall occurs. By the time August comes round, the winter season is coming to an end. Therefore, it is the perfect time for keen recreational addicts to take to the mountains and experience the thrill of skiing. For those who prefer a lovely landscape, scenic beauty is at its finest in winter, with mountains and glaciers covered in snow making the area a picturesque dream. As far as weather is concerned in Auckland, the highest average temperature increases by one degree to 15 degrees Celsius, and the amount of average sunlight reaches 11 hours.

If going away means you want to appreciate true modernity, staying at the Auckland Takapuna Oaks is close enough to total bliss. This new five-star location features some world class views of the captivating Auckland waterfront, alongside furnished balconies and even docks for I-Pods. 97 per cent of guests recommend staying here on Expedia, and it is hard not to disagree with them, when complimentary benefits include ferry tickets and continental breakfasts. There are plenty of great benefits to staying at this accommodation choice.

August begins with New Zealand’s national food and wine event, The Food Show. As well as visiting Wellington and Christchurch, The Food Show stops off in Auckland, providing a mixture of cracking chefs showing off their culinary skills, and promotion of a degree of the latest gadgets that can be used in the kitchen. Plus everyone can come to try out a mammoth range of delicious international and local foods, smooth and rich coffees, and wines that have the flavour and thirsting quench.

September

Springtime arrives in Auckland in September, and not only does it see the signs of green leaves and flowers growing in the countryside, it sees the climate start to pick up. However, New Zealand’s general spring weather still can attract the opposite ends of the spectrum. For example, it can be cold and frosty on one day, to being sunny and hot the very next. While the temperatures only gradually start to pick up, the amount of sunshine expected in a normal day increases to an impressive 11 hours, and the rainfall average drops down from 50mm to 40mm.

On Hobson Street is the Heritage Auckland hotel which offers a carefree approach towards life. It isn’t as modernised as some hotels within the vicinity, but the quality artwork on the walls makes up for that, and with room service, a swimming pool and good money value thrown in; this place does offer a chilled approach towards any kind of holiday.

Top dog in September’s event highlights in Auckland is the Auckland Pet & Animal Expo. Held at a new venue of the ASB Showgrounds in Greenlane, the promise is for the 2013 extravaganza to be even “bigger and better.” In attendance will be hundreds of pet products, alongside attractions and demonstrations that will grab the attention for everyone. This is the main attraction for those crazy about animals, but the visiting public are not allowed to bring their own pets.

October

October sees a warmer and more settled climate for the Auckland region, with consistent sunshine levels and temperatures beginning to return to the height they would be in the Kiwi summer. Average temperature in October in Auckland is approximately 15 degrees Celsius or 58 degrees Fahrenheit. On sunny days, the temperature could reach 17 or 18 degrees. Those who are into their white water rafting, October is the right time to visit the bustling harbour and peaceful lakes. The snow melts frequently and this makes river water levels spectacularly and thrillingly high. Average humidity is still at 80 per cent, only five per cent lower than the highest levels during the year.   

Auckland offers a brilliant range of accommodation which caters for all kinds of traveller. Another popular choice is the Stadium Waldorf Apartments Hotel. A hotel near the Auckland waterfront, this stay could be the one for those who like to train, with a swimming pool and an indoor fitness centre. This is another location that is walking distance to many restaurants and supermarkets in the area, and offers all-day comfort and a modernised feel to all tourists.

In October, the legendary classical artist Andre Rieu is returning Down Under, and he will be performing in Auckland on 25 October. His 2011 tour was ranked by Billboard as the ninth highest grossing tour of that year, just behind the more recognised Lady Gaga. On a global scale, Rieu and his impressively tuned 60-piece Johann Strauss Orchestra have received 330 platinum awards and sold over 32 million albums. These figures definitely show that people find him an easy artist to listen to. Auckland visitors can get the chance to enjoy a comforting and peaceful evening at the opera. For those who prefer to head to Auckland to conduct business, check out the Business Opportunities and Franchise Expo. Having served the community for 18 years, this is an important expo for the business industry, and those visiting can get sound and insightful advice on investing, especially in an economic crisis that doesn’t seem to be getting any easier for the majority of us.

November

If you like your sunshine for a holiday break, make Auckland your destination to visit in November. On hot days, the amount of sunshine will be 11 hours on average, and often will be more than that. The average temperatures still hover around the 16 degrees Celsius mark, but higher temperatures would be expected at the end of spring in Auckland. With the settled sea temperature levels during the year, November is the month where the swimmers return for their leisurely or sometimes, competitive swims. 

There is plenty of luxury in terms of Auckland accommodation

Connected to the Auckland Convention Centre, the Rendezvous Grand Hotel is very close to the buzzing nightlife of Karangahape Road, and is near enough to get around and explore the vast array of shops. The hotel itself is an ideal destination to stay for those who are doing business in the city, or enjoy the leisure activities. With a 25 metre indoor swimming pool, sauna and health club, fitness fans will be blessed, and it is a great location for either a quick stopover or for an enjoyable holiday.

The Auckland Highland Games always offer a sense of atmosphere, on a day where Scotland is the main theme of the day. This one-day event at the Three Kings Reserve will have a wide choice of food stalls, clothing and jewellery – combined with Highland sports and games, drummers and of course, kilts. This is the perfect day for any Scot to be here. You don’t need to Visit Scotland, Visit the Auckland Highland Games instead!

December

While most families will prefer staying at home for Christmas in the UK, others prefer to get away to hotter destinations for the festive season. December marks the start of the Southern Hemisphere summer season, so if New Zealand is the preferred destination for an individual or family, scorching temperatures and sunshine are almost certain to be a guarantee. The beaches get packed with swimmers, water sport lovers and those who just want to get a decent proper tan. In Auckland, high temperatures are likely to peak at 21 degrees Celsius, while the amount of rainfall is reduced to 30mm a month – a small figure when New Zealand’s precipitation figures are considered.

At Christmas time, the majority of us like to enjoy the traditional food cravings of turkey and roast potatoes. If that’s the case, you will be spoilt for choice at The Langham, which is within 1km of Albert Park and the University of Auckland. There are four types of room available, along with a day spa, and a food menu to really get you hungry. The Eight Restaurant offers eight international kitchens, and the chance to sample many worldwide cuisines, from Japanese and Chinese, to Indian and French.

While in Auckland, make sure to get out on the water. There are activities aplenty in the summer months, from peaceful harbour cruises to those who prefer the adrenaline buzz of the Auckland Adventure Jet on the popular Waitemata Harbour. If two wheels is your preferred method of travel, then hire a bike for a day, and take a pleasurable ride along the glorious waterfront, or head for the bustling Waiheke region. Also while in town, enjoy a variety of quality music at the welcomed Acoustic Song & Music session. Held every Monday at the Thirsty Dog and with free admission for all ages, everyone is welcomed to come and listen or even play songs from all kinds of genres. While it is summer weather in this region, it is Christmas time too in Auckland.

Categories: Auckland, Holiday, July, Museum, New Zealand, Southern Hemisphere, Speedway, Technology, Temperature, Weather